Mashable

Calling all Innies and Outies! If you're missing Severance and yearning for some Choreography and Merriment in your life, you're in luck. Mashable has your first look at the premiere physical release of Theodore Shapiro's Severance Season 2 score.

SEE ALSO: 21 burning 'Severance' questions we have after the Season 2 finale

The release comes courtesy of Austin-based pop culture art, music, and collectibles shop Mutant, in collaboration with Lakeshore Records and Severance production company Fifth Season.

Pressed on 140gm exclusive color vinyl, the deluxe edition of Shapiro's Emmy-winning Season 2 score comes in a custom Lumon envelope along with artwork by Greg Ruth, which includes seven double-sided character portraits and a printed inner sleeve.

Great, now I need to rewatch the Season 2 finale for the umpteenth time. Credit: Mutant

On top of that, the release also features "exclusive in-universe ephemera" that any Severance fan will recognize immediately. There's a printout of the "Missing" Gemma (Dichen Lachman) posters that Irving (John Turturro) made, along with his drawing of the dark hallway leading down to the Testing Floor and the note he left Dylan (Zach Cherry). There's also an Innie Resignation Request form and a goat-themed eye chart. Rounding out the ephemera is my personal favorite: a set of postcards styled after the motivational posters Lumon made for the Severed Floor. Sometimes, we really do need reminders to "Grin & Baird It." It's what Kier Eagan would want.

Remember to "Bee Ever Merry!" Credit: Mutant

"The music of Season 2 of Severance is true to what came before in Season 1, while also developing new themes, new sounds, and new variations," Shapiro said in a statement. "The season's bold expansions into new storylines and new locations, along with the incredible filmmaking and performances, provided plenty of inspiration.”

The track list is as follows:

Side One

1. The Ballad of Ambrose and Gunnell

2. Elevator Down

3. The Fourth Appendix

4. Beast With Two Backs

5. The Eternal Dark

Side Two

1. Salt's Neck

2. Three's a Crowd

3. Trains Running

5. The Equator

5. Knock Down Drag Out

6. Together Again

Consider this your perfect soundtrack as we settle in for the (hopefully not too long) wait for Severance Season 3.

The Severance Season 2 soundtrack retails for $50. It is available for pre-order on Mutant’s website starting Thursday, Oct. 30.

Severance Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV.

SAVE $300: The Anker Solix C800 Plus portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $349, down from the standard price of $649. That's a 46% discount and the best price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C800 Plus portable power station $349 at Amazon
$649 Save $300   Get Deal

You might be packing away the summer camping gear now that we're almost to November, but there's something important to do while packing. It's an ideal to take inventory of what's in good shape to come on 2026 adventures and what needs improvement. If you haven't yet dabbled in the wonderful world of portable power stations, there's an excellent model on sale today.

As of Oct. 27, the Anker Solix C800 Plus is on sale at Amazon for $349, marked down from the normal price of $649. That works out to a $300 savings from 46% discount. It's also the best price we've ever seen at Amazon.

If you or someone on your holiday shopping list likes to spend time outdoors camping, a portable power station is a must-have item. Anker Solix makes some of my favorite models like the C1000 and the C1000 Gen 2, but today's deal on the C800 Plus is incredible for camping.

The Solix C800 Plus comes with 768Wh of battery capacity from long-lasting LiFePO4 cells. It includes five standard AC ports, two USB-A, and two USB-C, one of which can output 100W. Like all Anker portable power stations, the display is easy to read and you have several options when it come to recharging, including solar.

One of the coolest and most camping-friendly features on the Solix C800 Plus is its upper storage compartment that's full of lighting options. It comes with a light that can be used as a floodlight, a flashlight, or in a mood-setting candle mode. The power station itself also includes a lightbar, so you'll be able to illuminate your path when you're walking around with the station.

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

The thoughtful light additions on the Solix C800 Plus make this model perfect for camping in any season. If you don't care about the extra light in the storage compartment and would rather use it to store your own goods, go for the Anker Solix C800 (without the Plus) which is also on sale at Amazon for $329, down from the list price of $599. Personally, I think camping with both a portable power station and a built-in light is awesome, but if you have plenty of other camp lighting, it might be worth the extra $20 savings to opt for the standard Solix C800.

In either case, the Anker Solix C800 or C800 Plus are perfect for camping. If you've been thinking too hard about what to gift your camping-included family member this holiday season, you can't go wrong with a portable power station. Now that the Solix C800 Plus is down to a record-low, this is a great time to snag the camp-worthy model.

You might need to act soon to keep accessing your X account.

Elon Musk's website, formerly known as Twitter, quietly announced it was killing off the old Twitter.com domain. That means the company is requiring users who use a hardware security key or passkey to re-enroll, otherwise they will be locked out of their account.

X's safety account posted a statement alerting folks to the change. It read:

"By November 10, we’re asking all accounts that use a security key as their two factor authentication (2FA) method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X. You can re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one. A reminder: if you enroll a new security key, any other security keys will stop working (unless also re-enrolled).

After November 10, if you haven’t re-enrolled a security key, your account will be locked until you: re-enroll; choose a different 2FA method; or elect not to use 2FA (but we always recommend you use 2FA to protect your account!)."

You can check the status of your 2FA on X by navigating to Settings & privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication. If your account is affected, however, X should prompt you to re-enroll. The change, X said, is being made so that everything can migrate away from Twitter's old domain.

"To clarify: this change is not related to any security concern, and only impacts Yubikeys and passkeys - not other 2FA methods (such as authenticator apps)," the safety account wrote. "Security keys enrolled as a 2FA method are currently tied to the twitter[.]com domain. Re-enrolling your security key will associate them with x[.]com, allowing us to retire the Twitter domain."

So Twitter really, truly is being killed off — and you might need to act to stay on X.

Save $200: The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is back down to its lowest price of $799 ever at Amazon and Best Buy. This markdown saves you 20% on the $999 laptop.

Where to buy the MacBook Air deal Amazon Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (save $200) Get Deal Best Buy Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (save $200) Get Deal

We just wrote about how we hope to see the M4 MacBook Air at a new record low price this Black Friday season, but with sales still a little ways off, we're glad to see it return to its existing record low price as of Oct. 27.

That's right — you can pick up the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $799 at Amazon and Best Buy. The deal brings the laptop's price down $200 from its $999 list price, and is available in all four colorways at Best Buy, and in the sky blue and midnight colorways at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

The 13-inch Air is Mashable's favorite MacBook model for students, thanks to the combination of its affordability (even at full price), portability, and M4-level power (which can easily take you through most school tasks). Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel wrote this laptop "usurps the M1 MacBook Air as my top budget pick whenever it's marked down to $799, its lowest price on record."

Even for non-students, this is a great everyday laptop (especially if you don't find yourself needing the upgrades of the 15-inch Air, our MacBook recommendation for most people). In addition to what's outlined above, like its larger display counterpart, the 13-inch Air can be support two external displays with its lid open, is quiet, and has a great webcam.

The biggest drawbacks of this budget model are that you might have to pick up an external hard drive at some point due to the 256GB of storage space, and the 60Hz refresh rate. The port setup includes two USB-C ports, one MagSafe 3 charging port, and a headphone jack.

TL;DR: Get a reliable refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch for just $179.97 (reg. $999) through Nov. 2, with free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch 2017 (Refurbished) $179.97
$999 Save $819.03   Get Deal

If you’ve been craving the convenience and simplicity of a MacBook but not the thousand-dollar price tag, here’s your moment. For a limited time, you can score a refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ for just $179.97 (reg. $999) — and that includes free shipping through Nov. 2.

Sure, it’s not Apple’s newest model — but that’s exactly the point. This Air delivers everything you need for daily work, streaming, and browsing, minus the premium price.

SEE ALSO: Get the M4 MacBook Air with upgraded storage for under $1,000 in any color

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB SSD storage, and Intel HD Graphics 6000, it’s built for smooth, reliable performance on the go. You’ll get a crisp 13.3-inch display, a 12-hour battery, and dependable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity — ideal for freelancers, traveling, or anyone who needs a solid laptop without spending a fortune.

Its Grade A/B refurbished rating means it’s been fully tested and cleaned, with only light to normal signs of use — so you’re getting a device that looks and performs well.

Lightweight and durable, this MacBook Air is proof that you don’t need the latest release to get that complete Apple experience.

Get the refurbished Apple MacBook Air (2017) while it’s just $179.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping through Nov. 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE 18%: As of Oct. 27, you can get the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) on sale for $1,649.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen for this behemoth.

100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) $1,649.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon

Shopping for a massive TV (like, 100-inches massive) usually means holding out for Black Friday and hoping for a decent discount, though "decent" for a TV this big can still be a fortune. But, an early deal just popped up on a gigantic Hisense QLED that might save you the wait, because it just hit its lowest price ever.

As of Oct. 27, you can get the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) on sale for $1,649.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen for this model.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

The QD6 uses a QLED panel, which means you get that Quantum Dot color boost for over a billion shades (it should make everything look more vibrant and realistic compared to standard LED TVs). It's a 4K screen, naturally, and runs Fire TV, so all your streaming apps and Alexa voice control are built right in.

Gamers should take note too: this model has a native 144Hz refresh rate panel and supports AMD FreeSync Premium, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to further reduce lag and screen tearing. Plus, it handles Dolby Vision for HDR and Dolby Atmos for sound, giving you a more immersive experience for movies and shows. Getting a 100-inch TV with these kinds of specs for under $1,700 is pretty wild, especially now that it's hit its lowest price yet.

SAVE $250: The Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $549.99. That's a 45% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250   Get Deal

It's spooky season on so many levels. We have high-tech Halloween decor frightening the neighborhood and the iconic 12-foot skeleton watching over our homes. But inside, horrors are happening, too. It's the season of tracking all of those crunchy fall leaves and pine needles inside. Once the pine needles come in, they never seem to disappear and can end up all over the house, magically moving super far away from the door they entered through. Instead of battling the debris, offload the task to a trusty robot vacuum. There's a powerful model on sale today.

As of Oct. 27, the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, marked down from the normal price of $549.99. That's a 45% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

With impressive specs like 10,000Pa suction power and a self-emptying base that can hold up to 70 days worth of debris, the Roborock Q10 S5+ might be your best option for clean floors this fall. Plus, it's down to a new record-low price.

In testing for the best robot vacuum, Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter and vacuum expert Leah Stodart said, "I think the Roborock Q10 S5+ is the best bang for your buck near $500 that Roborock has whipped up in a long time." And now that it's under $300, we're even more impressed.

SEE ALSO: Our vacuum expert loved this smart robot vac at $400 — now it's only $269.99

Stodart was also impressed with its overall performance and wrote, "It has reliably completed all missions in my apartment for weeks, and isn't nearly as obnoxious when self-emptying as most other robot vacuums I've tested — it barely reaches 70 decibels, which isn't much louder than competitors while they're just cleaning." This could be ideal if you have pets that tend to get frightened by loud noises or kids who nap mid-day.

The Roborock Q10 S5+ is designed with accurate and quick LiDAR smart mapping and it should be able to avoid pet waste and obstacles like toys or socks. You can even set the charging base to recharge during off-peak times if your electricity prices vary throughout the day.

While it's sitting at a new record-low price, snag the powerful Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for just $299.99. Our vacuum expert likes this model at full-price, which means it's an even better pick at this epic sale price.

Still reeling from IT: Welcome to Derry's terrifying first episode? Wishing you could catch the next episode right away to see what in the world comes next after that unexpected ending? Well, you're in luck, because IT: Welcome to Derry episode 2 is dropping several days early.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry's shocking episode 1 ending, explained

Episode 2, titled "The Thing in the Dark," will premiere Friday, Oct. 31 at 3 a.m. ET on HBO Max. That means you can ring in your Halloween with Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) and all the poor children he's terrorizing.

"The Thing in the Dark" will also air on HBO during IT: Welcome to Derry's regularly scheduled time slot: 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 2. The following installments of the eight-episode series will continue to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sundays, all the way up until the Dec. 14 season finale.

Based on HBO's trailer of the coming episodes, IT: Welcome to Derry is only going to get gnarlier from here. The look ahead teases the military's mysterious involvement in Derry, including the presence of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), who while most known for his role in The Shining, does appear briefly in Stephen King's IT. Also on the table is a trip to the sewers, a police investigation into the bloodbath at the theater, and Pennywise wreaking fiery havoc on Derry. Bring on the scares.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 27, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is on sale for only $999 at Amazon. That's $200 or 17% off its usual cost of $1,199. That's the lowest price on record for most colors.

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

If you're looking to upgrade your laptop for cheap, the M4 MacBook Air is an incredible value — even at full price. When it debuted earlier this year, its price tag made us do a double take. In a world where everything — especially tech — is getting more expensive, the base model M4 MacBook Air is $100 cheaper than its predecessor. And as of Oct. 27, you can get it for even cheaper.

The upgraded M4 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage usually goes for $1,199, but right now, it's down to only $999 in every color. That's $200 or 17% off its list price and matches the lowest price on record for most colors. Not to mention, it's the same cost as the base model with 256GB of storage when its not on sale. In other words, you'll get double the storage for the same sub-$1,000 price.

Besides the ultra-low cost, we love the M4 MacBook Air for its impressive processing power, improved 12MP FaceTime camera, and open-lid support for two external displays, meaning you can still use its own screen even when it's hooked up to monitors. It's earned a top spot on our list of the best laptops for 2025, best MacBooks, and best cheap laptops. So long as you don't need the more advanced specs of the MacBook Pro for things like video editing or graphic design work, the M4 Air will treat you wonderfully.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel writes, "This is a no-brainer recommendation for budget-conscious Apple users in need of a fast and portable laptop for everyday tasks."

Once again, Walmart has decided that a 24-hour Black Friday sale just isn't enough. Today, the big-box retailer announced its plans to host two Black Friday Deals events starting in mid-November. Walmart+ members will get first dibs on the deals, as per tradition.

"We’re dropping up to 60% off top brands and offering thousands of deals under $20," John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a press release, adding that the company aims to help shoppers have their "most budget-friendly holiday yet."

Walmart's first Black Friday sale will run online and in stores from Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Paid (non-trial) members of its Walmart+ membership program will get five hours of early access to the deals online beginning Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. ET.

The top deals from that first sale will include a 98-inch TCL QLED 4K TV for $998 (was $1,798), the Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum for $399.99 (was $729.99), a Keurig iced coffee machine for $44.97 (was $79), and a Lego Speed Champions two-pack set for $25 (was $44.98).

Credit: Walmart

Shoppers will have just over a week to relax before Walmart's second Black Friday Deals event, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 30. (Early access for paid Walmart+ members opens on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. ET.) That sale will be shoppable exclusively on Walmart.com for the first 72 hours; on Nov. 28, aka Black Friday proper, the deals will be available both online and in stores.

A Walmart rep couldn't confirm whether its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27), which has been the company's policy since 2020.

Walmart's festivities will wrap up with an online-only Cyber Monday sale on Monday, Dec. 1. Paid Walmart+ members will, of course, get five hours' worth of early access the evening before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ membership $98/year Learn More

According to the company's press release, all three holiday sales will include giftables from Walmart's toys, electronics, home, fashion, and beauty departments. The release named brands like Apple, Dyson, Lego, De'Longhi, and Barbie.

Walmart is the second major retailer to announce its plans for Black Friday 2025, following Best Buy. For its part, the tech retailer will start rolling out some early Black Friday deals on Halloween — sooner than ever before.

Happy Monday 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. 27 Pips

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

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 27 Pips

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add to 5. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 27 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love a good drink.

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.

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

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.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 24, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To emit

• Green: Just a bit

• Blue: Found in alcoholic drinks

• Purple: A quartet

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: Emanate

• Green: In the slightest

• Blue: Cocktail garnishes

• Purple: ___ Four

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 #869 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Emanate: BRANCH, FAN, RADIATE, SPREAD

• In the slightest: JUST, MERELY, ONLY, SIMPLY

• Cocktail garnishes: CHERRY, MINT, OLIVE, TWIST

• ___ Four: CONNECT, FAB, FANTASTIC, PETIT

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you believe in magic.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Witch way?

The words are related to magic.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the supernatural.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Wizardry.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 27

• Potion

• Amulet

• Cauldron

• Wizardry

• Wand

• Charm

• Incantation

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a good nose.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Foul-smelling.

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 F.

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...

FETID

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

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

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

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

Based on everything we know about Derry, the town at the centre of Stephen King's IT novel and HBO's new IT: Welcome to Derry prequel series, it's pretty much the last place in the world you'd want to visit.

But could you actually visit it, if you chose to? Is Derry a real town? We've broken down everything that's known about Pennywise's base of operations below.

SEE ALSO: When does Pennywise show up on 'IT: Welcome to Derry?': Episode 1's clues collected Is Derry in IT: Welcome to Derry a real town?

The short answer is no. Derry is, thankfully, a fictional place created by King — but if you wanted to visit its inspiration, you'd need to go to Bangor, Maine in the U.S.

This is the town where the horror master was living when he wrote his novel — a note at the end of IT says King started writing the book in Bangor in 1981 and finished a little over four years later. The author has also confirmed in interviews that Derry is essentially a fictionalised version of the Maine town.

"Bangor became Derry," King has said. "There is a Bangor in Ireland, located in the county of Derry, so I changed the name of the fictional town to Derry. There is a one-to-one correlation between Bangor and Derry."

As such, various locations in Bangor will be immediately familiar to people watching IT: Welcome to Derry, including the town's Paul Bunyan statue and the Thomas Hill Standpipe.

Featured Video For You Cooper Hoffman and 'The Long Walk' cast compete for ultimate Stephen King film knowledge Does Derry feature in other Stephen King stories?

It certainly does. The town is also the setting for King's novels Insomnia and Dreamcatcher, and it's mentioned in a large number of his other books and short stories as well.

Like King weaving connections between his books, the prequel series is littered with Stephen King Easter eggs — and judging by the "weeks ahead" trailer, there's going to be more where that came from in the upcoming episodes.

IT: Welcome to Derry episodes land on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods 4   Shop Now

AirPods are one of those items we all flock to during major sales events. Prime Day, Memorial Day, Black Friday, we want to see AirPods reduced. They're arguably one of the most popular earbuds on the market, especially for iPhone users (big up that Apple integration), so we're hoping for some impressive deals this Black Friday, especially on the AirPods 4.

Why we love the AirPods 4

I recently added the AirPods 4 to my seemingly never-ending bid to immerse in the Apple ecosystem. It wasn't the intention, but when they came as an added extra with my new MacBook, how could I resist? I'd never used AirPods until this pair, so I was relatively unprepared for what to expect. After a few days of use, I quickly understood the hype. The sound quality really is as good as they say, and you really feel the benefit of the H2 chip. Music sounds much clearer and more detailed, while the Personalized Spatial Audio makes everything feel like it’s happening all around you. Even calls sound noticeably crisper thanks to Voice Isolation, and my voice notes come through crystal clear, even on windy days.

And while we're on integration, they really do connect seamlessly with your other Apple devices. In fact, they connect as soon as you are near. The in-ear detection also knows when you’ve taken them out and pauses audio automatically, and if you have your phone and Mac out at the same time, you can easily switch between which device you want to listen on.

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

I've tried many earbuds with noise cancellation features, but none come close to the AirPods 4. If you choose the right setting, you can genuinely block out most of your surroundings. A big plus if you need total silence to focus.

Working out with these AirPods has been a nice surprise, too. I've always gravitated towards designs that promise to stay in your ear, but as it turns out, there was no need. They’re lightweight and fit comfortably, even during runs and high-intensity sessions. They are also IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant, and I can attest to this fact after several rainy workouts.

Battery life is always something I'm going to be fussy about, and while these aren't as long lasting as my Beats Fit Pro, I've still been suitably impressed with the five hours of continuous listening they promise. When stored in the charging case, that extends to around 30 hours of total listening time, so there's plenty to keep you going for a few days without charging.

Black Friday deal we hope to see on the Apple AirPods 4

We're confident we'll see some sort of Black Friday deal on both the ANC and non ANC versions of the AirPods 4. Based on recent prices during the October Prime Day, we'd hope to see the regular earbuds as low as $89, and the ANC earbuds priced at $119. Both versions have been on sale in the weeks after Octber Prime Day, but we think we'll see something better during Prime Day. Keep an eye on big retailers for early discounts, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Pennywise lives, with everyone's least favorite clown emerging from the sewers once more with the arrival of IT: Welcome to Derry.

But given we've already had two IT movies that largely covered the events of Stephen King's famous novel, what is HBO Max's new series about?

We've seen from the trailer and the very first episode that Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) is back, and that a bunch of new kids will be banding together to face him — but how exactly does this tie in with the movies and book? We've broken down everything we know so far below, without spoilers.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs in episode 1 Is IT: Welcome to Derry based on Stephen King's book?

Without getting into the events of the first episode — if you've seen it, we have those deep dives for you — our biggest clues as to the basis of IT: Welcome to Derry came courtesy of the official HBO Max trailer and logline, along with some helpful interview quotes from executive producer Andy Muschietti himself.

"Set in the world of Stephen King’s IT universe, IT: WELCOME TO DERRY is based on King’s IT novel and expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films IT and IT Chapter Two," reads the logline.

So, the show is based on the novel — but which bit? Well, for that we can turn to a Spanish interview Muschietti gave to Radio Tu earlier in the year, which has been translated by Bloody Disgusting (Mashable hasn't translated the original interview).

SEE ALSO: Is Derry in 'IT: Welcome to Derry' a real town?

"It's a story that's based on the interludes of the book," Muschietti said. "The interludes are basically chapters that reflect Mike Hanlon's research. They're fragments of his research. For 27 years, it's the guy trying to figure out what it is, what did it, who did it, who saw it, and all that stuff."

If you've read King's novel IT, you'll already know who Mike Hanlon is (and get ready for a wave of Stephen King Easter eggs in the show). If you haven't read it, Mike Hanlon is the one member of the Losers' Club who stays behind in the town of Derry after the kids defeat the monster the first time around. The novel has five interludes that are essentially diary entries written by Mike in which he compiles a history of Derry, chronicling the town's darker chapters that coincide with the cycles in which Pennywise awakens to feed.

"So they talk about catastrophic events from the past, like the fire in the Black Spot... the massacre of the Bradley Gang, a gang of bank robbers in the '30s... and the explosion of the Kitchener Ironworks," Muschietti said.

These chapters of Derry's history form the basis for IT: Welcome to Derry.

"IT: Welcome to Derry" takes place in 1962, but the show is planning to delve deeper into the town's history. Credit: HBO How is IT: Welcome to Derry related to the IT movies?

Although Muschietti's IT movies were based on King's novel, there was one key difference that will have a knock-on effect for the series: While the childhood portion of the books was set in the late 1950s, the childhood section of the movies takes place in the '80s. This means that all the cycles in Muschietti's IT universe are essentially pushed back by one.

We know from the IT: Welcome to Derry trailer that the series takes place in in 1962, which is the cycle before the one shown in the first IT movie. And we know from Muschietti's interview that he's planning three seasons of this new show, each of which will jump back in time.

In the novels, Pennywise's killing cycles are bookended by catastrophic events. The 1930s cycle starts with the massacre of the Bradley Gang and ends with the fire at the Black Spot, while the cycle before that ends with the Ironworks exploding.

So, it seems like the show will bring these key moments in Derry's history to life. All you need to do is make it through the scares.

IT: Welcome to Derry debuts on Sunday, October 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly.

Featured Video For You Why the scariest part of The Shining isn’t what you think.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 27, the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch Omni is on sale for $339.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 43-Inch Omni $339.99 at Amazon
$439.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up an Amazon TV for a while, don't go anywhere, because the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch Omni is on sale right now for its lowest-ever price. This impressive model is a perfect choice if you want the Fire OS as well as great quality. And as of Oct. 27, you can get it for $100 less at its new price of $339.99.

This TV boasts a 4K Quantum Dot (QLED) display, so movies, shows, and sports all look bright and colorful. This alongside the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive makes everything you watch seem sharp and lifelike. It also benefits from Adaptive Brightness, a feature that makes the screen automatically adjust to the light in your room. Perfect for sun glaze or less than ideal lighting conditions.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Oct. 24, 2025)

The Fire TV Ambient Experience is a nice touch too, and a bonus if the likes of a Frame TV is out of budget. This feature can turn your TV screen into a canvas for artwork, personal photos, Alexa widgets, and more.

And with any Amazon TV, you'll get access to over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes through streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. And you can control the TV hands-free, find shows, or even control other smart home devices with Alexa, so you never need to leave the couch.

Get this stellar TV deal from Amazon now.

Save $4.66: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box is $87.98 at TCGPlayer — that's over 12% cheaper than Amazon's $99.99 listing.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box $87.98 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $12.01   Get Deal

Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames have the Pokémon community in a frenzy right now, but it's still possible to get the top sealed product for market value. Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Packs are $8.29 at TCGPlayer, that's 43% cheaper than Amazon's $12.95 pricepoint.

Elite Trainer Boxes are really popular, and it's their exclusive promo Illustration Rare, 65-themed card sleeves, dice, and card storage box that makes it a unique offering. Of course, the eight Mega Evolution Booster Packs help sweeten the deal.

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

Pokémon Trainers can look forward to snagging a promo Alakazam Illustration Rare in the Mega Gardevoir box, but the other Promo in the Mega Lucario ETB, Riolu Illustration Rare, can be bought seperately so you're not missing out.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're buying up Elite Traiwner Boxes to try and find chase cards, it's probably going to cost more than just buying the cards themselves. It might not seem like it at first glance, but buying a Mega Evolution Booster Box, Elite Trainer Box, and a Booster bundle equals the cost of some of the top chase card of the set:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

MY BLACK FRIDAY BET: Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution sealed product has been near market value on Amazon for a while now, and I think we'll see it drop below for Black Friday.

Looking for your Mega Evolution fix? Given that Phantasmal Flames is just around the corner, it's hard to keep up with new Pokémon TCG expansions. But Black Friday is just around the corner, and we know how big box retailers such as Amazon like to turn it into a month-long event.

I'm hedging my bets on Mega Evolutions ETBs, Booster Bundles, Booster Blisters, and more to drop below market value for Black Friday this year. After over a year's worth of ridiculously high price points on Pokémon TCG at Amazon, why would I think this is going to happen?

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

I track Pokémon TCG pricing daily, and I've noticed that Mega Evolution products keep dropping to near market value when compared to TCGplayer. This speaks volumes to me, as it means trainers and collectors aren't biting anymore. I think these constant price fluctuations is Amazon trying to shift more units and may have more stock to shift than usual. Let's go into more detail:

Mega Evolutions Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir)   Shop Now

This Mega Gardevoir ETB dropped to $92.48 on Amazon just a couple of days ago, which was nearly on the money for market value at TCGplayer. So if this is getting a reasonable price drop during normal play, I think it's pretty much a dead cert that we'll grab a bargain over Black Friday.

Mega Evolution Booster Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle   Shop Now

Again, the Mega Evolutions Booster Bundle dropped to $52.94 at Amazon on Oct. 22. This was a similar price on TCGplayer. This is a cheaper product than the ETB and has six Mega Evolution Booster Packs inside, so this will likely be one of the most popular Mega Evolution items during Black Friday 2025.

Mega Evolutions Mega Latias ex Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Mega Latias ex Box   Shop Now

After going for an insane $40.59, the Mega Latias ex box is slowly coming down towards market value $29.99. I'm waiting for this to get to the $29.99 mark or below, which would be a solid possibility for Black Friday 2025 considering big box Pokémon TCG products don't sell as much as Booster Bundle, Booster Boxes, and ETBs.

Mega Evolutions Three Booster Blister Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Three Booster Blister   Shop Now

Three Booster Pack Blisters are a quick way to get your Mega Evolution fix, with a cheeky promo card for your trouble. Once again, this is coming down to near market value, which is $27 on TCGplayer. So once again, I reckon this is prime for a drop to market value or below in Amazon's Black Friday event.

Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin   Shop Now

Another reduction worth noting is on the Mega Evolution tin, which is now creeping towards the $19.75 market value. Given that the two booster pack tins aren't the biggest products, I imagine these will be a top candidate for a cheeky Black Friday discount.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Of course, it's always easier and sometimes cheaper to just buy the single chase cards you're seeking. Let's take the Mega Gardevior ex Gold Rare, which is one of the most valuable Mega Evolution cards right now at around $500. The chances of pulling this after buying a couple of booster boxes for around $260 each is slim, and we're talking ripping 72 Mega Evolution booster packs. There's a chance you could pull it and some other valuable cards, but ultimately that's the risk trainers and collectors take.

Here's the top 10 most valuable Mega Evolution cards right now, including where to buy them and current value data:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $564.49
   Most recent sale: $499

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $537.99
   Market price: $553.53
   Most recent sale: $530.10

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $279.99
   Market price: $305.92
   Most recent sale: $285.94

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $294.97
   Market price: $298.44
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $164
   Market price: $202.49
   Most recent sale: $187.70

6. Mega Latias ex - 181/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $155.67
   Most recent sale: $155

7. Mega Absol ex - 180/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $99
   Market price: $104.16
   Most recent sale: $106.30

8. Mega Kangaskhan ex - 182/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $101.98
   Market price: $90.86
   Most recent sale: $84.99

9. Bulbasaur - 133/132 (Mega Evolution Stamped)
   Near Mint Holofoil: $34.98
   Market price: $27.73
   Most recent sale: $27.49

10. Marshadow - 146/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $29.99
    Market price: $30.97
    Most recent sale: $31.07