Mashable

If you're on dating apps or social media, you're probably familiar with "ENM," or ethical non-monogamy, aka consensual non-monogamy (CNM), aka plain ol' non-monogamy. The umbrella term — meaning, anything other than monogamy — has seemingly taken over the online dating sphere as of late. The term "ethical non-monogamy" has seen a 213 percent spike in searches in the last year alone.

But what actually is consensual non-monogamy, and what are the pluses and minuses of the relationship style? Mashable spoke to three experts in the space to find out.

SEE ALSO: How to get started with non-monogamy What is an 'ENM' relationship?

"ENM" stands for "ethical non-monogamy," and those in an ENM relationship are non-monogamous. What flavor of non-monogamy they practice, however, isn't really explained by the term. And while the term "ethical non-monogamy" has entered our cultural lexicon, experts tend to favor the terms "consensual non-monogamy" or simply "non-monogamy."

"What counts as ethical for one person may not count as ethical for the other person," explained relationship coach Dedeker Winston, co-host of the Multiamory podcast and co-author of Multiamory: Essential Tools for Modern Relationships. The term she uses is consensual non-monogamy, as that's the standardized research term.

"Ideally, if we're saying non-monogamy, it should be ethical and consensual, built into it," said marriage and family therapist and host of the Sluts & Scholars podcast, Nicoletta Heidegger. "Otherwise, it would be cheating."

"The practice of having multiple relationships that may either be sexual or romantic." What is consensual non-monogamy?

Consensual non-monogamy is, in itself, an umbrella term. It's "the practice of having multiple relationships that may either be sexual or romantic," Winston said, "having those relationships concurrently and with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved." 

For relationship coach and co-host of the Curious Fox podcast, Effy Blue, it's essentially the opposite of monogamy. 

SEE ALSO: How growing up in purity culture impacts sex What is a polyamorous relationship?

Within the broadness of non-monogamy are the variations in which people practice it. They may be polyamorous, literally meaning "many love," and have romantic and sexual connections with multiple people. Polyamory can also be seen as an umbrella term, with many ways of operating underneath it.

What is an open relationship?

Non-monogamous people may be into swinging — usually couples swapping partners — or cuckolding, which is watching your partner getting it on with someone else. They may have an open relationship, which is also a pretty broad term but usually means a primary romantic connection and other sexual connections.

SEE ALSO: Want to try swinging? Here's a beginner's guide.

"Everything from 'we're mostly monogamous 364 days out of the year, but then once a year we have this like wild drunken threesome'" can fall under non-monogamy, said Winston. That may fall under "monogamish," a term coined by sex writer and podcaster Dan Savage, to mean mostly monogamous.

In terms of non-monogamy's rising popularity, Winston felt a shift in 2016, the year Trump was elected president. "A lot of structures were being questioned in that year," she said, including monogamy. She started noticing more people coming out that they practice non-monogamy, or putting such in their Instagram bios. 

Then, several years later, COVID forced us into a literal or figurative existential crisis. People may have felt a sense that if there's a part of themselves they're repressing, now's the time to express it, Winston continued. 

Not to mention that pop culture has also upped its representation of non-monogamy — such as Netflix's Easy and celebrities (like Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith) opening up about it, too. Dating apps have taken notice, too, with Hinge and Tinder adding non-monogamous label options.

Obstacles in non-monogamous relationships 

As with any style of relationships, there are struggles to overcome. With non-monogamy, these struggles can have added layers of complexity, as more than one person is in the mix. 

Jealousy may be at the top of people's minds when considering non-monogamy. It's an emotion that comes up in different facets of our lives — like with our career, and certainly in relationships. How we're socialized around this emotion is funny, Winston said, because in contexts aside from romantic relationships, jealousy is seen as good. For example: If you're jealous of a co-worker for receiving a promotion, that jealousy is supposed to motivate you.

"But when it comes to romantic jealousy, the story is more like [jealousy is] a completely unacceptable emotion to feel," Winston said, and if you're in a situation where you feel jealousy, it's a major red flag.

Before jumping into non-monogamy, ask yourself (and your partner if you're already coupled): how do we deal with tough feelings when they come up?

It's not that people who prefer non-monogamy don't get jealous — it's that they recognize it's a typical feeling to experience and work through it by looking inward and being honest with their partner(s).

"There needs to be a willingness and…support tools and systems in place," Heidegger said. Before jumping into non-monogamy, ask yourself (and your partner if you're already coupled): how do we deal with tough feelings when they come up?

SEE ALSO: Want to try swinging? Here's a beginner's guide.

Communication, then, is paramount in non-monogamous relationships (just like it is in monogamous ones). But beyond communication, you need to be willing to be vulnerable and honest, Winston said, and if that's not there, communication won't be successful.

Blue warned that there is such a thing as too much communication. One pitfall she sees is one partner in a couple becoming hyper-focused on non-monogamy, so much so that it becomes the only thing they want to talk about. Don't let this happen; remember to nurture other aspects of your relationship.

Bandwidth and time management are other issues Blue sees. Couples who are looking to open for the first time may have lots of commitments — like work and children — and they need to fit in their new, other relationships within their already busy lives. Be honest with yourself about how much time you have to dedicate to new connections, and be direct with these people about your availability to your new partner. 

Relational traumas and attachment issues may rise to the surface as well. It is possible for relationships — monogamous or non-monogamous — to be healing and corrective, but if it's not done in an intentional way, they can actually be unintentionally harmful, Heidegger said. If you have a history of relational trauma, seek a therapist to work through these issues with you.

Then there's the exhaustive obstacle of going against the grain. Society is so geared towards cis, heterosexual monogamy that there's pressure to conform to these ideals. "We're all swimming against the current," said Winston. When we have community and feel supported, it's easier to live in a non-normative way, but it can still be tiring.

Non-monogamy "can be hard, and there's an extra layer of difficulty layered on top of it, because of the fact that the water that we swim in doesn't really support us inherently," Winston said.

Benefits of non-monogamous relationships

Given the above, Heidegger said non-monogamy has the potential to help you work through relational issues and be healing in ways you didn't think were possible. It's also an opportunity to tune into what you want and explore your desires more openly. "It allows people to have more expansive love, more expansive pleasure, [and] to maybe have less shame about their needs and desires," she said. 

Non-monogamy also encourages autonomy. You can get clear about what you really want, instead of what society deems acceptable for you to want. 

"One major upside that I see is that… non-monogamy can give us a chance to be partnered with one partner or multiple partners, and yet also still maintain a sense of independent identity and independent interests," Winston said. 

Blue sees the primary benefit as finding a relationship design that you can thrive in. If you found something that works for you more than monogamy, that's a plus. Another she mentioned is the infusion of new relationship energy — even in longtime connections. You're embarking on a new adventure with your partner, and it can be exciting for both of you.

Heidegger echoed this. Since non-monogamy leads to people experiencing something new, it can bring about a freshness and sense of adventure to your relationships. 

If you're interested in becoming non-monogamous, you're already starting off on the right foot: research. Next, take a look at our guide on how to get started with non-monogamy to learn more about how to open your relationship gently and intentionally.

This article was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2025.

Watching the showcase of impulsive and absolutely illegal decisions made in the film Bad Apples, I couldn't get the words of a doomed galactic senator out of my head: "If you lead your thoughts through to conclusion, it will lead you to a place we cannot go."

It's exactly this place of no return that the Saiorse Ronan-led dark comedy thriller relentlessly cannonballs into, with director Jonatan Etzler putting his protagonist down a dubious, desperate path. With Ronan's always-impeccable talents supported by a sublime young cast, Bad Apples leans into unethical impulses, all the while exposing home truths about the under-resourced education system and social disdain toward children with behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties. Plus, it's really funny.

SEE ALSO: How social media in the classroom is burning teachers out

Teachers, parents, you're going to want to watch this film (and I want to know what you think of it).

Bad Apples sees Saiorse Ronan as a teacher who meets her edge

Written by Jess O'Kane as an adaptation of Rasmus Andersson's novel De Oönskade, Bad Apples enrols you with Somerset-based primary school teacher Maria (Ronan), who has thought of nothing but a teaching career since childhood. Alas, the reality of an underfunded education system wears down her Miss Honey-drenched dreams and raises the stakes with a "difficult" student.

Beyond overwhelmed, Maria's all-too-real lack of institutional support comes to a head accommodating the needs of disruptive student Danny (excellent newcomer Eddie Waller). A boy with the shortest of fuses, he swears at his classmates, destroys their belongings, ruins excursions, and generally gives Maria hell. Here, young Waller delivers in spades, with O'Kane's script heaped with unapologetic expletives and violent threats. Despite her frazzled attempts to control the situation and the attempted assistance of teacher's pet Pauline (an outstanding Nia Brown), Maria is held accountable by concerned parents, denied professional support by the equally stressed principal (Rakie Ayola), and facing the school's dreaded regular Ofsted inspection. Suddenly, a moment of violence occurs.

With her job genuinely on the line, Maria takes action. How do you solve a problem like Danny? Reader, she locks this kid in her own basement. 

Featured Video For You NYCC Recap, Good Boy's Oscar Plea, and Best Book Adaptations from BFI LFF Saiorse Ronan gives a masterclass in unreliable protagonist

With full knowledge of the kidnapped child playing video games in her home, Maria keeps the ruse up — and Ronan plays the audience entirely with her inner insistence on her actions being justified. Practicing such deadpan statements aloud as "I've got your son in my basement" and lazily searching "how to control a large pet" online land with comedic finesse, as Maria digs herself deeper and deeper into a proverbial hole.

Notably, a large part of Bad Apples gives us an insight into Maria's real sense of loneliness. She retreats into her nightly sense of control in her cosy farming simulator game and never socialises outside of school. Adding stress to an already tempestuous working environment, Maria works with her ex, the man she moved to Somerset for, who then left her for another woman — an especially brutal move in a small town. So, with Danny kept in the basement, Maria not only controls a newfound peace in her classroom, but enjoys a warped sense of company in her primary-aged prisoner.

This sense of messed up perspective extends to Danny, who screams to go home to his absent father (Robert Emms) as much as he enjoys a Stockholm Syndrome-like existence learning his ABCs from Maria and being actually cared for (albeit while being incarcerated in a basement and shitting in a bucket). Over the course of the film, Maria and Danny develop a deeply strange, playful, and volatile bond. But is this genuine camaraderie, or is Danny merely trying to get the hell out of here? It's a dark dance of ethics, and one that draws wonderful moments of pure comedy from both Ronan and Waller. 

Bad Apples plays out a micro decision with macro implications

Maria's actions in Bad Apples aren't just unhinged, they're criminal. However, the film plays out the scenario anyway, just to see what might happen if you, say, shut a disruptive student in a basement the day of your school's Ofsted inspection, the day after he attacked a fellow student.

Beginning as a trope of a Difficult Student, Waller's Danny finds superb moments of vulnerability and humanity, especially through moving scenes with Ronan's Maria. In contrast, Brown's Pauline, the straight-A student, the ultimate teacher's sycophant, becomes the film's real power player.

Through the film's diabolical set-up, Etzler and O'Kane are able to pose ethical questions about overworked teachers and the lack of resources educators have to work with children with behavioural difficulties, as well as assumptions we make of "difficult" kids. Here, communities would rather sweep troubled kids like Danny under the rug (or into a basement) than begin to try to understand him. I honestly want to know what teachers and parents think of this film, as I'm neither myself.

Ultimately, who in this situation is actually the bad apple?

Bad Apples was reviewed out of BFI London Film Festival.

As you may have heard, Amazon had some problems on Monday. In fact, that's a huge understatement.

On Monday, Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides the infrastructure for many of your favorite websites, apps, and online services, experienced a major outage, causing ripple effects that brought down everything from Amazon Alexa to Zoom.

Since the AWS outage affected some of Amazon's own services, you might be wondering if the outage extended to physical package deliveries. Likewise, as the outage continued on Monday, Prime members were left asking: Is Amazon still delivering packages during the outage?

Mashable reached out to Amazon with this question, and we will update this piece if/when we hear back. So far, Amazon hasn't announced any problems with package deliveries.

Here's what we know so far.

The AWS outage and Amazon Prime delivery

Amazon did post a brief blog post on its company website about the AWS problems. Regarding Amazon.com, the company simply said, "This issue has also impacted Amazon.com and Amazon subsidiaries, as well as AWS customer service support operations. Please refer to the AWS Health Dashboard for the latest information: https://health.aws.amazon.com/health/status."

More on the AWS outage: Is Canvas still down?

So, while it's reasonable to assume some Amazon delivery services may have been impacted, we don't know to what extent.

All we have to go on right now are personal anecdotes, which obviously shouldn't be taken as entirely representative data. Mashable's tech editor coincidentally had an Amazon Prime package scheduled to be delivered today, and it arrived on schedule. Though the AWS outages may have caused some delivery disruption, packages are still being delivered for some people.

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

However, that may not be the case for everyone. A cursory keyword search on X, for example, reveals people reporting delays to their deliveries, or at the very least, not being able to track their deliveries.

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

Again, a handful of tweets do not signal widespread, ubiquitous delays or cancelations of Amazon deliveries. It's a fluid situation and we're still awaiting answers.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is not having a great start to the week.

A massive internet outage hit AWS-powered platforms in the early hours of Monday morning, affecting a large number of popular sites, games and services including the likes of Fortnite, Snapchat, and HBO Max. Of course, people are reacting online.

SEE ALSO: AWS outage: Amazon, Alexa, Snapchat, Fortnite, more reportedly down in massive outage

AWS posted on a company dashboard at 5:01 a.m. ET, "We have identified a potential root cause for error rates for the DynamoDB APIs in the US-EAST-1 Region," which the company said was "related to DNS resolution." AWS added it was working to resolve the issue.

At 5:27 a.m. ET, the company reported "significant signs of recovery" across the affected sites listed below, and that "most requests should now be succeeding. Then, at 6:35 a.m. ET, Amazon said, "The underlying DNS issue has been fully mitigated, and most AWS Service operations are succeeding normally now." However, the company noted that "some requests may be throttled while we work toward full resolution."

More on the outage: Is Canvas still down?

Mashable reached out to Amazon for further comment and was directed to the AWS Health Dashboard.

Sites impacted by AWS outage

According to Downdetector, here's a list of the websites affected by the AWS outage (Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable):

• Snapchat

• Amazon

• Roblox

• Robinhood

• Amazon Alexa

• Ring

• HBO Max

• Chime

• Venmo

• Lyft

• Prime Video

• Fortnite

• Disney+

• Hulu

• Roku

• Signal

• IMDb

• United Airlines 

• Amazon Music

• Reddit

• Character.AI

• AT&T

• My Fitness Pal

• Steam

• Zoom

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.

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UPDATE: Oct. 20, 2025, 12:04 p.m. UTC Added additional AWS dashboard updates.

PRE-ORDER NOW: Whisker announced the Litter-Robot 5 ($799), Litter-Robot 5 Pro ($899), and Litter-Robot Evo ($599) on Oct. 21. You can pre-order any of the new litter boxes now and save up to $150 on select launch bundles. Shipping begins Nov. 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Whisker Explore the Litter-Robot 5, 5 Pro, and Evo Starting at $599 Pre-order Here

It's been three years since a new Litter-Robot came out, but the iconic self-scooping litter box lineup is finally evolving once again.

Whisker unveiled the Litter-Robot 5 lineup on Oct. 21, consisting of three different models that provide more variation for budget, home size, and number of cats. Prices range from $599 to $899, and you can pre-order any model now before the Litter-Robot 5 officially starts shipping on Nov. 3. Select bundles are available for early shoppers — save up to $200 when you buy two of any new Litter-Robot or combine your litter box purchase with a Whisker+ membership.

All litter boxes in the Litter-Robot 5 family come in black or white. Credit: Whisker Litter-Robot 4 vs. Litter-Robot 5: What's new?

The Litter-Robot 5 has one key upgrade over the Litter-Robot 4, first released in summer 2022 — it comes in three different variants. While the Litter-Robot 4 was a single device, the Litter-Robot 5 is really three new automatic litter boxes, the Litter Robot 5 ($799), Litter-Robot 5 Pro ($899), and Litter-Robot Evo ($599).

Let's unpack the changes, starting with the most budget-friendly of Whisker's new litter boxes.

A major W for apartment dwellers: The Litter-Robot Evo is the most compact Litter-Robot to date, standing 27.6 inches tall with a 20.6 x 24.3-inch footprint. In many instances, that could technically squeeze into the same spot that your current large pan litter box resides (as long as there's some free space above).

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I love my robot vacuum with a livestream camera

I'd argue that a self-cleaning litter box is just valuable in a small space with one or two cats as it is in a large home with multiple cats. Stench travels quickly within the confines of a tight-knit space, and no one wants to be That Person whose apartment smells like litter box the second a guest walks in.

Compared to the Evo, both the Litter-Robot 5 and Litter-Robot 5 Pro stand 29.9 inches tall with a 22 x 27-inch footprint. While the opening is nice and spacious on each model, a ramp can be purchased separately to make entry easier for senior cats.

The Litter-Robot 5 Evo. Credit: Whisker The Litter-Robot 5 Pro. Credit: Whisker

From there, you can tell the difference between the 5 and the 5 Pro by the camera mounted at the top of the 5 Pro's opening — that's one of two AI-powered cameras added to improve the litter box's health tracking capabilities. Designed for homes with at least two cats, the front-facing exterior camera uses facial recognition to note which cat is currently doing their business. The second interior camera keeps an eye on the litter bed.

Credit: Whisker Credit: Whisker

Both the Litter-Robot 5 and 5 Pro use Whisker's new WasteID technology to differentiate between liquid and solid waste. This adds an extra level of detail to bathroom behavior tracking, and helps to optimize the sifting of clumped litter after a cat exits. The new waste draw system should also help mask odors even better than previous generations.

You can make the most of the Litter-Robot's health insights with a Whisker+ membership. For $7.99/month, pet parents will get daily updates about their cat's daily habits, any bathroom pattern or significant weight changes, and a head's up if there's ever a cause for concern.

Are Litter-Robots worth it?

While I don't yet have hands-on intel about the Litter-Robot 5 (my test unit is on the way), I can already vouch for how worthwhile robot litter boxes are in general. I live in an apartment with two cats, and we have two self-cleaning litter boxes: a PetSafe ScoopFree and a Leo's Loo Too. And they have made my life so much easier.

As Mashable's resident vacuum reviewer, it probably goes without saying that I'm a freak about chores — and it's such a relief to not have litter box duty on my long daily to-do list. The Leo's Loo Too looks and operates very similarly to the Litter-Robot lineup, and I only have to switch liners and wipe down the waste drawer once a week or so. To my surprise, both of my cats assimilated to automatic litter box life much more smoothly than I anticipated — even the skittish one.

Monday's service disruption at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon's cloud hosting and data service, affected everything from Verizon to Venmo to United Airlines. While the issues were mostly alleviated by Monday afternoon, the popular Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas was still struggling at that time.

Canvas has been reposting essentially the same update since the morning of Oct. 20: "We are continuing to work with Amazon Web Services looking into our Canvas, Mastery Connect and other Instructure products being down[.]"

Utilized by students, teachers, professors, and administrators, Canvas is a software system that allows remote access to syllabi, assignments, and grading. Outages of Canvas were widespread on Monday, from California State University, Fullerton, to Indiana University Bloomington.

Canvas, one of the most widely used education tech platforms, is owned by Salt Lake City–based Instructure Holdings, Inc.

Check back here for updates.

It's the New Moon tonight, so there's not anything for us to see in the sky. This also means its the start of a new lunar cycle.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Oct. 21, the moon phase is New Moon. This means that 0% of the moon will be lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

When you hold the newest Apple tablet in your hand, you immediately know it's unlike any device you've ever tested. That is, unless you already have the M4 model from last year, in which case you already had that experience a year ago.

Like its predecessor, the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is astonishingly light at just 0.98 pounds. It's a mere 5.3mm thin. To put that in perspective, that's even thinner than the newly released iPhone Air that reviewers have been lusting after (we called it the sexiest phone ever made in our recent review). It's even thinner than the iPad Air, which we named the best tablet for most people. While it looks a lot like the previous model, that's a good thing in this reviewer's opinion, and the new silicon gives you even more processing power.

Now, Apple only gave us a few days with this device before its Oct. 22 release, so consider this a review in progress. Check back for a more in-depth M5 iPad Pro review coming soon.

Apple iPad Pro 2025 (11-inch, M5): By the numbers Liquid Glass looks incredible on the OLED display. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The iPad Pro comes in silver and space black in both an 11-inch and 13-inch model, with starting prices of $999 and $1,299. As per usual, you can choose WiFi only or WiFi and cellular, if you want to add a cellular plan to your new device. I've been testing a specced-out version with 1TB of storage and an eSIM card, courtesy of Apple. I'm sharing the specs of the base 11-inch model.

• Display: Ultra-Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED with HDR capabilities)

• Memory: 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

• Dimensions: 9.83” x 6.99” x 0.21”

• Weight: 0.98 pounds (444 grams)

• Ports: Thunderbolt/USB-4

• Brightness: 1,000 nits (1,600 nits with HDR content)

• Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz

• Touch ID: Yes

• Face ID: Yes

And we have to talk about the silicon, of course. While the M5 chip is new, it has the same architecture as the M4 — a 9-core CPU (three performance cores, six efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU.

Pro tip: Go with the midnight black version and invest in a microfiber cloths and cleaning wipes for fingerprint smudges.

The M5 iPad Pro design and Liquid Glass: A victory lap for Apple Thinner than you think. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

To use a racing metaphor, following the debut of iPadOS 26 and Liquid Glass, the M5 iPad Pro is like a victory lap for Apple.

While it has the same overall design as the previous iPad Pro, that's only because the previous design was approaching perfection. You might think I'm overselling it, but hot damn, when you hold this device in your hands, you feel like you're living in the future. We may not have flying cars yet, but this is a beautiful consolation prize. As soon as you can fold it up and put it in your pocket, we'll have reached straight-out-of-science-fiction levels of design.

On top of that, Apple recently introduced iPadOS 26, which brings the translucent, glass-like aesthetic of Liquid Glass to the iPad. In my iPad OS 26 review, I wrote that "iPadOS 26 doesn't just put a futuristic new face on your tablet," but also brings "critical new features like multitasking and windowing that make your iPad more like a laptop." Combine the iPad Pro design with Liquid Glass, and you get something truly special.

Left: iPadOS 26 brings Liquid Glass and windowing to your iPad. Credit: Apple Right: Multitasking is easier in iPadOS 26. Credit: Apple

Peak design is what Apple is known for, and the iPad Pro proves Apple hasn't totally lost its design chops in the post-Jobs era. It's thinner than both the iPad Air and iPhone Air, yet somehow more powerful, too.

So, while everything I've said was also true of the M4 iPad Pro (Mashable's former tech editor Kimberly Gedeon also raved about the design in her M4 iPad Pro review last year), combine all that with the OLED, HDR-capable display and thoughtful accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, and you get a truly premium experience.

Credit: Joe Maldonado

Honestly, I think Apple should put the iPad team in charge of the iPhone, as it would be nice to get a shakeup in the mobile category, where Apple is at risk of falling behind rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi.

The M5 iPad Pro: Performance for those who need it

If you use a tablet for browsing the web, checking emails, playing The Sims, and your daily Wordle, then you don't need the iPad Pro. It's a device for professional artists, filmmakers, creators, and AI power users. The new M5 chip delivers a few key (though iterative) improvements over the M4.

Apple says the new M5 comes with purpose-built Neural Accelerators, which will help power Apple Intelligence features and any models you're running on device rather than online.

The M5 iPad Pro has a Geekbench score that ranges between 16,200 and 16,400, putting it in the top eight percent of laptops in our testing database. Of course, it's not a laptop, and all the laptops that do outperform it are overpowered gaming laptops that cost two, three, or four times as much. Like the M4 chip, it offers hard-to-believe power efficiency, resulting in a lengthy battery life.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The iPad Pro's Geekbench score also puts its closest competitors in the tablet space to shame. It trounces the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, which scored 13,469, and the iPad Air powered by the M3 chip, which scored a measly 10,498.

iPad OS 26 and Liquid Glass let you use the M5 chip to the fullest. Now that the iPad offers windowing (the ability to resize, drag, minimize, and access control menus for iPad apps and widgets), you can truly multitask on the iPad just like you would on a laptop. That makes it a lot easier to work on the device, though you'll need the $299 Apple Magic Keyboard to make the most of it.

In my initial testing, this tablet's been able to handle large video files and programs like Adobe Premiere Pro without breaking a sweat, which is no surprise based on its Geekbench scores.

The OLED display remains drool-worthy The new iPad Pro has the same OLED display as the M4 iPad Pro, pictured here. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I could sing the praises of the Ultra Retina XDR display all day, but my predecessor Gedeon already did that. But in the same way that the unchanged design still impresses us a year later, the Tandem OLED display has the same effect. Colorful HDR footage looks absolutely gorgeous, and the crispiness of the details is so real that it's almost unreal.

So, sure, it's the same as last year's model, but when it looks this good, there's not much to complain about.

Even casual users will be able to marvel at the resolution, clarity, colors, and deep blacks. But only Pro-level users will be able to truly appreciate the subtleties of the HDR display. High-dynamic range video provides the best possible color, contrast, and subtle details, but if you don't know what HDR video is, if you've never used Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve, or if you aren't trying to grow your YouTube channel, then you may not really need the iPad Pro.

So, who is the iPad Pro for? Hint: It's in the name. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Look, you don't have to be a Pro user to enjoy the iPad Pro. I've been comparing it to the iPad Air, which I recently re-tested for Mashable, and while it's only slightly thinner and a touch lighter, that 0.8mm really does make a difference, as does the OLED display.

So, if you're a tech enthusiast with money to burn and you simply want the newest and coolest products, then by all means, go for it. You truly won't regret it. But for the average user, it's overkill.

That being said, if you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job.

A quick word on the cameras, updated Games app, and other features Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Apple is keen for users to try out the new Games and Arcade experience on iPadOS 26 and the iPad Pro, and I really tried to get into it. But the truth is, the types of games that are fun to play on the iPad — cozy games, simulators, word puzzles, and the like — simply don't need the M5 chip or an OLED display.

Likewise, the iPad Pro has a decent camera on the front and back:

• Primary camera: 12MP Wide camera

• Front camera: 12MP Center Stage selfie camera

It can even record 4K video at 60 frames per second. However, tablets have always been a poor form factor for photography. The only real use case for me is video calling, which the iPad Pro can do very well.

Finally, I should note that I had a smooth experience with the eSIM card, and the ability to use the phone and messages app on your tablet is a nice perk. (Though, my eSIM card came pre-installed, and it's not always painless for the average person to set up an eSIM card.) I could see some advantages to essentially having your tablet act as a second cell phone line, but I think most people will opt for the WiFi-only version. After all, you can always use your iPhone as a hotspot if you're not in WiFi range.

The final word: Is the M5 iPad Pro worth the upgrade? Yes and no. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The new Apple tablet is absolutely worth the investment, at least, according to our initial tests. If we encounter any unexpected problems, we'll share them in a future update to this iPad Pro review.

But we're also living in the era of iterative improvements, where companies put out new models on an annual basis, even when they probably shouldn't. So I'm going to say something that I'm frankly getting really tired of saying: The new iPad isn't an instant-upgrade if you already have last year's model. You could say the same about virtually any smartwatch, smartphone, fitness tracker, tablet, or laptop released in the past year — and I have. (To offset the cost, look into Apple's trade-in program.)

Still, the design, the display, and the performance are unbeatable in the tablet space.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) $984 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Apple.com Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) $1,279 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Apple.com See It at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch $298 at Walmart
  Shop Now

Correction: A previous version of this review stated that the iPad Pro did not have Face ID, but it does. The article has been updated to reflect that fact.

Donald Trump's response to millions of people protesting against him over the weekend wasn't exactly mature, with the president posting an AI video of himself wearing a crown while raining down poop on protesters from a fighter jet (yes, you read that sentence correctly).

In the Late Show video above Stephen Colbert plays the clip to loud boos from the audience, before sharing his blunt reaction.

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart assesses whether or not Trump qualifies as a 'king'

"There it is: King Trump crapping on America. Which is insane, though I will grant, factually accurate," says Colbert. "This video was vile and violent and only proves the point of the 'No Kings' march even more. What decent democratic leader would ever post a video of themselves sh**ing on peaceful protesters? He is a one-man hate march."

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2024-25 Europa League online for free

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)

• UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi finals with 30-day free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $9.99: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Booster Bundle is $55 at TCGplayer, compared to $64.99 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Destined Rivals Booster Bundle $55 at TCGPlayer
$64.99 Save $9.99   Shop Now

Destined Rivals feels like a distant memory with Mega Evolution out in the wild and Phantasmal Flames preorders going in and out of stock, but it's not a set to be slept on. The Booster Bundle is currently $55 on TCGplayer, a full $9.99 cheaper than Amazon's current price, which equates to a couple of extra booster packs if you find the right deal.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Destined Rivals focuses on Generation Two's protagonist Ethan and Generation One and Two's Team Rocket. It continues the trainer Pokémon theme of Journey Together and is the first Team Rocket focused set in the modern era. It's a big deal and the artwork in this set is ridiculously good. I'm looking at you Ethan's Typhlosion IR.

Most valuable Destined Rivals Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Destined Rivals has some banger chase cards to snatch up, with the highlights including Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR and Ethan's Ho-Oh ex SIR. Buying just these two cards separately in mint condition will run you the best part of $800, but that's only three to four booster boxes on a good day. It soon adds up opening sealed products and there's no guarantee of pulling the chase cards below.

If you want the big ticket Pokémon TCG cards, I'd recommend just buying them to save your cash:

1. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 231/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $495.99
   Market price: $581.93
   Most recent sale: $504.66

2. Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 232/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $289.99
   Market price: $296
   Most recent sale: $291.01

3. Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 230/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $220.03
   Market price: $242.87
   Most recent sale: $221.30

4. Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 229/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $145.93
   Market price: $153.59
   Most recent sale: $149.84

One of the coolest things about owning a Tesla is the ability to get all sorts of info about your car through a mobile app.

Now, the auto company has taken it to another level with a new Maintenance tab (via Teslarati), that shows you exactly what your car needs replaced, fixed, or adjusted in the near future.

Somewhat hidden in the Tesla iOS app (Android app still doesn't have this option) under Service - Request Service - Maintenance, the new section tells you when your car is due for stuff like tire rotation, cabin air filter replacement, or wiper blades replacement. Even better, the app tells you the cost for each item (if you buy it at an official Tesla repair shop), and if you click on each item, you'll see the estimated life left for each component.

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Some of the items, such as Windshield Camera Area Precision Cleaning, probably aren't something you ever thought of doing, let alone paying 80 bucks for it, but it's still nice to know the current status for each of these parts.

SEE ALSO: The 'affordable' Tesla is here. But is it a good deal?

If you've done maintenance at some place other than Tesla's official repair shops, these won't be accurate. Unfortunately, there's apparently no way to manually input when you've last changed your tires or had your wiper blades replaced (I've done both but none of that shows in the app).

Also, in my area I don't see the detailed breakdown of what's happening to my car as the folks in the U.S. seem to get. Hopefully Tesla will update this to work for all owners globally, and make it a little easier to access in the app. Still, the feature is a good reminder that you should take your car to the shop for basic maintenance every now and then.

SAVE $7.95: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is $59.95 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $67.94.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle $59.95 at TCGPlayer
$67.94 Save $7.99   Get Deal

The Pokémon TCG community are still going mad for Prismatic Evolutions, and there's little mystery as to why. Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames preorders are the talk of Pokétown, but this set is yet to produce a chase card that rivals the value of Umbreon ex SIR.

There's also an incredible pull to this Scarlet and Violet holiday set thanks to the inclusion of Eeveelution SIRs. Everyone is here on top of some other great SIRs such as Roaring Moon ex, Ceruledge ex, and Dragapult ex. The Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is $59.95 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $67.94. That's nearly $8 saved on in-demand booster packs.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Prismatic Evolutions is a notoriously brutal set to rip open. Thanks in part to the Pokéball and Masterball Rares, there's a lot bulking out in this set, which means Illustration Rares and Secret Illustration Rares are ridiculously hard to pull from packs.

Most valuable Prismatic Evolutions Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If I don't pull the chase cards I want from my preorder on release, I'll just watch the market and snap up the cards I want instead of pouring money into sealed product. Whilst some just like ripping open packs, I like the peace of mind of looking at the card I've been after in my Pokémon card display. Here's the top chase cards for Prismatic Evolutions and where you can buy them right now:

1. Umbreon ex - 161/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $1,185
   Market price: $1,012.77
   Most recent sale: $399

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $422
   Market price: $29.30
   Most recent sale: $427.78

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $500
   Market price: $455.44
   Most recent sale: $399.99

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $367.93
   Market price: $367.23
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $239
   Market price: $241.90
   Most recent sale: $239.99

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.65
   Market price: $198.12
   Most recent sale: $190

The pet parent contract comes with certain terms and conditions, and that includes a tolerance for omnipresent pet hair. You're also signing off on a lot of stains, paranoia about your pet's activities when you're not home, and the slim (but never zero) chance that you'll come home to an accident on the floor. The best vacuum for pets can help mitigate these problems. How do I know? Because I've spent years testing vacuums, much to my cats' annoyance.

While every pet parent needs a vacuum to quell the pet hair situation, some vacuums can take on even more pet-related responsibilities. There are robot vacuums that can avoid pet waste, robot vacuums with livestream pet cameras, and a robot vacuum that comes with its own portable carpet cleaner — now we just need Roborock to expand the Saros Z70's robotic arm capabilities to pet toy cleanup.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

So, which vacuum would be the most helpful in your household? I'm continuously testing the top robot vacuums and cordless stick vacuums in my two-cat apartment, and I'm ready to name the best vacuums for pet owners as of fall 2025.

How to choose a robot vacuum for pet hair

For a full breakdown of these features, check out my guide to everything you need to know before buying a robot vacuum.

Suction power and brush rolls

I recommend vacuums with at least 6,000 Pa suction power for effective pet hair pickup, though homes with heavy carpeting and more than two pets should consider suction power of at least 12,000 Pa. But the brush roll system is nearly just as important when choosing a vacuum for pet fur. In my testing, vacuums with dual brush rolls are far more effective.

I also recommend keeping a good cordless stick vacuum on hand — stick vacuums are just more powerful than robot vacuums in general. Shark, Dyson, and Dreame all make powerful stick vacuums with enough power to make pet hair disappear.

Automatic emptying

Pet parents should definitely opt for a self-emptying robot vacuum — so much fur being sucked up will lead to a full dustbin faster, and you won't feel like emptying it yourself every day. Even with daily usage, an auto-empty robot vacuum can last between one and three months before you need to empty the dustbin.

Mopping

If hardwood or tile is prevalent in your home, the best robot vacuum and mop combo for pet hair will be able to sanitize the floor while mopping and then wash its own mops to rinse off any lingering hair. Mopping is also much more likely to effectively wipe up other minuscule pet-related debris, like pet dander and kitty litter dust, that are too small to be inhaled by a vacuum's suction power.

Smart mapping

Some rooms or spots on the floor within those rooms get furrier than others. A smart mapping robot vacuum learns the layout of your home and can head to specific zones on command, which you can queue up right from the app. In my opinion, smart mapping is the most worthwhile robot vacuum feature, and should be a baseline even when searching for a cheap model — cleaning performance is a moot point if the vacuum can't get where it needs to go in the first place.

Small obstacle avoidance

Some advanced robot vacuums use cameras and 3D sensors to pinpoint any small roadblocks in the cleaning path in front of them. When successful, these vacuums save themselves from eating most pet toys, cords, laundry, or socks or shoes, avoid ramming into pet bowls, and even dodge pet waste.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7, were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck. I recently tested and was impressed by the Roomba Plus 505 Combo and Plus 405 Combo, which ultimately just weren't the most thorough vacuum cleaners in their price range. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). That's not super helpful for any situations past maybe scaling sliding door tracks, and its cleaning wasn't anything I haven't seen in other flagship robot vacuums.

Vacuums I'm testing soon

The next vacuums slated for at-home testing are the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller (followed by the other new Dreame robot vacuums), Roomba 705 Max Combo, Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai, and Bissell FurFinder. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for pet owners accordingly.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you know some chemistry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Cards

• Green: Direct action

• Blue: Basketball

• Purple: Remote control

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: Playing Cards

• Green: Takes On

• Blue: NBA Teams

• Purple: Things You Can Control With Remotes

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 #863 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Playing Cards: ACES, JACKS, KINGS, QUEENS

• Takes On: ADDRESSES, DOES, HANDLES, TACKLES

• NBA Teams: BUCKS, BULLS, HORNETS, SPURS

• Things You Can Control With Remotes: DRONES, GARAGE DOORS, TELEVISIONS, WIIS

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're been through a cleanse.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Removing substances.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DETOX

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if like seeing bands perform.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Banding together

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that can be found at a concert.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Checklist.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 21

• Opener

• Stage

• Merchandise

• Encore

• Headliner

• Checklist

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Number (16): Everything in this space must add to 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this orange space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add to 21. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this green space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add to 18. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand baseball statistics.

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

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

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

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

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

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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: 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: Football team names

• Green: Stats

• Blue: Nicknames

• Purple: Share a last name

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

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

• Yellow: An AFC North Player

• Green: Baseball Stats, Abbreviated

• Blue: "Big" Athlete Nicknames

• Purple: ____Ward

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 #393 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An AFC North Player - BENGAL, BROWN, RAVEN, STEELER

• Baseball Stats, Abbreviated- BB, ERA, SO, WHIP

• "Big" Athlete Nicknames - ARISTOTLE, DUMPER, MAC, PAPI

• ____Ward - CAM, CHARLIE, DENZEL, HINES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025:

AcrossBone that can be "dropped"

• The answer is Jaw.

Late scientist Goodall

• The answer is Jane.

Make critical assumptions about

• The answer is Judge.

Best by a little

• The answer is One Up.

Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.

• The answer is Gods.

DownJust kind of over it

• The answer is Jaded.

Beef cattle breed

• The answer is Angus.

Shed tears

• The answer is Weep.

2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael Cera

• The answer is Juno.

Refresh, as one's memory

• The answer is Jog.

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

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

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

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