Mashable

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 Monday, Oct. 6, 2025:

AcrossWord announced before sharing a bit of trivia

• The answer is Fact.

Renewable energy option

• The answer is Solar.

Make a case (for)

• The answer is Argue.

Edible part of rhubarb

• The answer is Stalk.

Look for hiders

• The answer is Seek.

DownActor Will of "The Four Seasons" and "MacGruber"

• The answer is Forte.

Scummy stuff

• The answer is Algae.

Waterproof window sealant

• The answer is Caulk.

Arduous journey

• The answer is Trek.

"Don't ___ me!" ("Watch your attitude!")

• The answer is Sass.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

The full moon is tomorrow, but for now, we're still in the previous phase of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is the process of the moon's visibility. There are eight phases, and the whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA.

Keep reading to find out what's happening tonight, October 6.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 6, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 99% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

So, what can you see tonight? With no visual aids (and a clear sky) you should be able to catch glimpses of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. With binoculars, you'll also see the Apennine Mountains, the Mare Nectaris, and the Gassendi Crater. If you have a telescope, you can also spot the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 7. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are as follows:

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.

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Separately.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ASIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The sound a bird makes.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TWEET

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Revealed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHOWN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An underground vault.

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

CRYPT

Final Hurdle hint

More mature.

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

OLDER

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 third season of Netflix’s true crime anthology Monster dives into the life and crimes of serial killer and grave robber Ed Gein. The Wisconsin-born farmer gained national infamy in 1957 after police, investigating the disappearance of local store owner Bernice Worden, discovered her body — and the remains of nine others — inside his home. Many of those bodies had been exhumed and turned into grisly keepsakes, including lamps, bowls, and masks.

Gein ultimately confessed to one additional murder and was suspected in as many as seven others, including the deaths of his brother and a missing babysitter from a nearby town. Though never charged beyond the two murders, the horrifying details of his crimes turned him into a macabre household name. His story would go on to inspire some of horror’s most iconic villains: Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Buffalo Bill (The Silence of the Lambs). Gein was later convicted of first-degree murder but found legally insane, leading to his confinement to a series of mental institutions. He remained there for the rest of his life, passing away in 1984 at the age of 77 from lung cancer and respiratory failure.

Given America’s obsession with true crime, it was only a matter of time before Netflix — and producers Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan — turned their lens toward the man who inspired so many fictional monsters.

Released on Oct. 4, the new season has been met with largely unfavorable reviews. Critics have taken issue with its unfocused storytelling and what they describe as a grotesque, "pulpy and sloppy" portrayal of Gein’s crimes and personal life. The show also takes significant creative liberties, depicting graphic acts that Gein was accused of but never proven to have committed.

With Monster’s history of blurring fact and fiction in its dramatizations of real-life killers, the question remains: what’s true, and what’s invented, in the story of Ed Gein?

Who was Ed Gein? Ed Gein, 51, stands with his attorney William Belter at the Wabsara County Court. Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Ed Gein was born in Plainfield, Wisconsin, in 1906, the youngest of two sons to George and Augusta Gein. According to Harold Schechter’s book Deviant, Augusta was a "devoutly — even fanatically — religious" woman who often preached to her sons about the evils of the world, particularly the corrupting influence of women. Schechter writes that Augusta viewed her husband as "feckless and worthless" and believed sex — indeed, the very act of it — was a “loathsome duty to be tolerated for the sake of procreation.” When she gave birth to Ed, her second child, and learned he was a boy, she reportedly "felt bitter and betrayed." Determined to protect her sons from temptation and sin, she devoted herself to raising them into what she considered "good" men—at least as good as men could be in her eyes.

Growing up, Ed idolized his mother. “In his eyes, she was no less infallible than God,” Schechter writes. Other accounts describe George Gein as a violent alcoholic who regularly beat his sons, while Augusta was also known to physically harm and humiliate Ed.

The only time Ed left the family’s isolated farm was to attend school. Augusta used their remoteness to her advantage, keeping outside influences away and punishing Ed whenever he tried to befriend other children.

George Gein died of heart failure in 1940 at the age of 66. Four years later, Ed’s brother Henry died at 43, also from what was ruled heart failure—though the circumstances around his death remain murky (more on that later). The following year, Augusta suffered a stroke, leaving Ed to care for her. According to The Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, about a year later, Augusta suffered a second, fatal stroke after flying into a rage upon seeing a neighbor with a woman who wasn’t his wife.

After his parents’ deaths, Ed stayed on the farm and supported himself with odd jobs around town. During this period, as described in Laurence Rickels’ The Psycho Records, he began reading pulp magazines and lurid adventure stories — many focused on cannibalism and Nazi war crimes, particularly crimes committed by Ilsa Koch.

It’s unclear how Gein first encountered these materials or his connection to Koch, though Monster suggests he was introduced to them by a woman named Adeleine Watkins — a detail that, like much of the show, shouldn’t be taken as fact.

Who is Adeline Watkins? Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins. Credit: Netflix

In Netflix’s Monster, Suzanne Son portrays Adeline Watkins, Gein’s love interest and the woman who introduces him to the lurid pulp magazines that supposedly inspired his later crimes. In reality, though, Watkins appears to have been nothing more than a longtime friend and neighbor.

In a 1957 interview with the Minneapolis Tribune (now the Wisconsin State Journal), Watkins — then 50 years old — claimed she had dated Gein for about 20 years. She described how the two would often go to movies and taverns together and shared a fondness for reading. In that same interview, Watkins reportedly called Gein “good and kind and sweet,” adding that he had once proposed marriage, but she turned him down.

However, just two weeks after the story was published, Watkins walked back much of what she had said. She told reporters that the article had exaggerated both the nature and duration of their relationship. While she confirmed she’d known Gein for more than two decades, she clarified that they had only been romantically involved for about a year. According to Watkins, during that brief time they dated, Gein would occasionally stop by her home (she claims to have never been to his home) and they'd go to shows at the theater. Watkins also denied ever describing Gein — or her mother’s opinion of him — as “sweet.”

Did Gein kill his brother?

While Ed Gein ultimately confessed to only two murders — Mary Hogan in 1954 and Bernice Worden in 1957 — the gruesome discovery of flesh lamps, masks, and other human remains led authorities to suspect him in several unsolved cases in the area. Gein denied any further killings, and lie detector tests at the time cleared him of additional charges — though, as always, the reliability of polygraph results is questionable.

Netflix’s version of Gein, however, takes a different stance. The series implies he was also responsible for the deaths of local babysitter Evelyn Grace Hartley (portrayed by Addison Rae), a deer hunter named Victor Travis, and even his own brother.

As mentioned earlier, official records state that Gein’s brother, Henry, died at age 43 in 1944 from heart failure after going missing during a brush fire on the family farm. According to reports, Gein had been burning marshland when the flames spread out of control. After the fire was extinguished, he told firefighters that Henry was missing. They later found Henry lying face down, with no significant burns or visible injuries. Authorities ruled the death as heart failure, though many — including some investigators —found the circumstances suspicious.

Gein’s biographer, Schechter, later noted that Henry’s body was found with bruises on his head — an odd detail that didn’t align with the official story. Despite this, no autopsy was ever performed. The county coroner ultimately listed the cause of death as asphyxiation.

Adding to the mystery, although Gein told authorities his brother was missing, he led them straight to Henry’s body. While theories vary about what might have motivated him, most center on the brothers’ strained relationship over their mother. Henry reportedly wanted to leave the farm and move in with the woman he was dating — a plan that clashed with Gein's deep, almost fanatical devotion to Augusta.

SAVE 35%: As of Oct. 5, the Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects kit is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon — down from $45.99 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crest Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects – Teeth Whitening Kit $29.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal

We’ve seen plenty of the best early Prime Day deals, even before the Big Deal Days event starting on Oct. 7 and 8, but this Crest 3D Whitestrips discount is one that literally shines.

In honor of Amazon Prime Day, the fan-favorite whitening kit is back down to $29.99, a 35% savings off its usual $45.99 price tag. For anyone who’s been eyeing an at-home smile refresh before holiday season selfies kick in, now’s the time to stock up.

The Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects kit comes with 22 treatments total (20 regular and two bonus 1-hour express treatments) and 44 strips overall. It’s designed to whiten like a $400 professional treatment, using the same hydrogen peroxide ingredient that dentists rely on, while staying gentle and enamel-safe.

SEE ALSO: Some of Amazon's early Prime Day Apple deals are already add-to-cart worthy

Thanks to Advanced Seal Technology, the strips grip securely to your teeth so you can still sip water or talk without worrying about them sliding off. That’s a small but meaningful win for multitaskers. 

Crest has also advised that you can achieve whitening results of up to 19 levels brighter, with a noticeably whiter smile after just a few uses. Altogether, you’re being promised a 100% visibly whiter smile, guaranteed.

Each treatment takes about 45 minutes, with the 1-Hour Express strips offering faster touch-ups when you need a last-minute glow-up. Whilst some customers on Amazon left reviews mentioning mild sensitivity, most agree it’s a small trade-off for how effective these strips are at erasing coffee, tea, and wine stains that have built up over time.

Crest is still the #1 dentist-recommended at-home whitening brand, and this kit has more than 98,000 five-star ratings on Amazon to prove it. Prime members can snag free delivery and lock in this limited-time price while it lasts.

In Taylor Swift's newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, she has an oft-debated new song, "CANCELLED!" The biggest argument about the song is who it's about (Blake Lively? Brittany Mahomes? Sophie Turner?). But one specific lyric has some wondering whether a viral TikTok meme apparently referenced in the song could earn a payout for the creator who coined it.

In the pre-chorus, Swift sings, "Did you girlboss too close to the sun? / Did they catch you having far too much fun?"

If that first line feels a bit familiar to you, it might be because of a viral 2021 TikTok in which influencer and comedian Caroline Timoney said: "Listen, I can’t give any more information, but I fear I may have girlbossed a bit too close to the sun." It currently has 7.5 million views, and Timoney told Mashable she "couldn't be more excited."

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' is here, and the internet is divided

Timoney is "total Swiftie," so when her friends started texting her ahead of Swift's album release, saying her iconic turn of phrase was in one of the songs, she didn't really believe it.

"The next morning I woke up first to like 100 text messages on my phone," she said. "I'm from the East Coast, so most of my friends were already up. It was a really insane day... [She's] been my Spotify number one for the past five or so years. I went to the Eras Tour. I'm a huge Swiftie, so I was just so excited by it more than anything. Just truly so, so excited and really shocked."

Later that day, she posted a video to TikTok saying she "woke up this morning to discover that my TikTok audio that I made as a sophomore in college — 'I girlbossed too close to the sun' — was in a Taylor Swift song. Am I her Shakespeare? Yes. Do I see us as co-writers? As fellow songwriters? Yeah, all of it, all of the above. But I haven't changed. I've forgotten a few names of friends and family because I'm blowing up. These kinds of things happen. But I am genuinely so shocked."

While Timoney is not interested in taking legal action ("It's so public. I'm so proud of my little phrase that I wrote. And I do think I have some ownership over the fact that I came up with that. And I think it's cool, but I don't think I trademarked it or should or could trademark it."), many of the comments encourage her to "lawyer up" and "get that money."

However, one commenter pointed out that the line "girlboss too close to the sun" is a reference to Candace Owens, who said as much in a YouTube video from earlier this year about Swift's alleged involvement in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. "But I came up with the phrase," Timoney wrote in a comment in response.

One copyright lawyer on TikTok, Rocky Retrograde, drew parallels between this and the situation between Lizzo and Mina Lioness, who tweeted "I did a DNA test and found out I'm 100% that bitch" before Lizzo released her album Truth Hurts. Lizzo ended up giving Lioness a writing credit on the song. Retrograde — along with many of Timoney's fans and commenters — recommended that Timoney reach out and try to do the same with Swift.

Timoney, for her part, just isn't interested in that.

"I feel like the phrase 'I girlbossed too close to the sun' became such a public phrase. I've had friends say it to me, who maybe first heard it from my TikTok audio or from a friend repeating the phrase to them, and they don't necessarily know that it's me," she said of its evolution. "It's cool to have contributed to the public lexicon."

SAVE $30: The JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker (camo) is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, down from the list price of $129.95. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Clip 6 (camo) $99.95 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

We're just days away from Amazon's October Prime Day event, which spans Oct. 7 and 8 this year. But if you're ready to snag the deals already, Amazon is giving us non-procrastinators a little treat. The mega retailer already has excellent discounts on hundreds of products, and that includes one of Mashable's favorite portable speakers.

As of Oct. 5, the JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker (camo) is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $129.95. That's a 23% discount that shaves $30 off the price.

A Halloween party requires a spooky soundtrack, and if you're in need of a portable speaker to pump the "Monster Mash," the JBL Flip 6 could be perfect. It gets up to 12 hours of playtime, and it's designed to be more powerful and louder than previous versions of the speaker. The two-way speaker system should be great at delivering powerful sound while coming in a super portable size.

SEE ALSO: Outdoor deals are hot ahead of October Prime Day from brands like Coleman, Yeti, Jackery, and plenty more

The JBL Flip 6 weighs about 1.2 pounds and is waterproof. That means it'll be perfect for trips to the pool come summer, and it's lightweight enough to be worthy of packing along on vacation. JBL used a durable fabric and rubber housing to make it extra safe to use outside.

Before potential shipping delays that tend to come along with Prime Day chaos, snag the JBL Flip 6 speaker while it's on sale for $30 off. Plus, Amazon is throwing in free access to Amazon Music for 90 days. Since that'll cover the holiday season, the speaker will be great for both Halloween and Christmas tunes.

If camo is not your thing, the Red and Teal versions of the JBL Flip 6 are also currently on sale at Amazon for $99.95 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 5, you can get the Insignia 65-inch QF Series QLED 4K Fire TV for just $299.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's $200 off its list price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 65-inch QF Series QLED 4K Fire TV $299.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $200 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is less than 48 hours away, but you really don't need to wait around to score the best TV deal.

As of Oct. 5, you can pick up the Insignia 65-inch QF Series QLED 4K Fire TV for only $299.99 — a $200 discount from its typical $499.99 list price. While Amazon and Best Buy are both offering this same deal, we recommend grabbing it from Best Buy since Insignia is a Best Buy brand. You'll likely receive it faster if that matters to you. For instance, Best Buy estimates an Oct. 9 delivery for me, while Amazon estimates a delivery between Oct. 10 and 21. Plus, should you run into any issues, reaching Best Buy's customer service will be much more streamlined. That being said, we're not the boss of you — pick whichever one you want. Either way, you'll be saving $200.

This same TV was the cheapest 65-inch option during July's flagship Prime Day sale at $329.99. Now, it's actually $30 cheaper ahead of October's Prime Day event. It's not a top-of-the-line model, but it's a great opportunity to upgrade to a QLED without breaking the bank. If you're used to an LED TV, you'll definitely be able to tell the difference the quantum dots make. Its picture quality and color vibrancy will pop, whether you're watching NFL matchups or the latest theatrical releases.

If you're in the market for a new TV on a budget, this is going to be a hard deal to beat, even once Prime Big Deal Days kicks off.

SAVE 30%: As of Oct. 5, Amazon's early Prime Day deals have a bargain on Anker’s MagSafe UFO 3-in-1 charger, now only $62.68 in a limited-time deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagSafe Compatible MagGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger $62.68 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $27.31 Get Deal

If there’s one thing worse than a dead phone, it’s juggling a nest of cables just to keep your devices alive. Fortunately, Amazon's early Prime Day Deals include a bargain on Anker’s latest MagSafe UFO 3-in-1 wireless charger to fix that; for today only, it’s 30% off in a limited-time lightning deal.

For a Prime Day bargain, this all-in-one charging station powers your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. All that capability is kept within a single foldable pad that’s small enough to fit in your palm. Designed with frequent travellers and desk minimalists in mind, the MagGo UFO folds into a roughly golf ball-sized sphere that slides neatly into your backpack or carry-on. 

It even includes a 40W USB-C adapter and a five-foot cable, so you’re ready to plug in right out of the box.

SEE ALSO: Some of Amazon's early Prime Day Apple deals are already add-to-cart worthy

Performance-wise, this Qi2-certified charger delivers as well as looking futuristic. With 15W fast charging, you can boost your iPhone 15 Pro up to 20% in just 15 minutes, and your Apple Watch Series 9 up to 30% in under half an hour. Strong MagSafe alignment keeps your devices securely in place, while StandBy Mode support turns your phone into a smart display when docked in landscape view.

Weighing only 4 ounces and measuring under three inches across, the UFO charger also gets bonus points for build quality, something Anker fans have come to expect. Product reviews on Amazon praise its compact design, powerful magnets, and reliable charging, especially for travel setups and nightstands. Plus, for both the sleek Black Stone and Aurora White SKUs, each finish gives it that understated Apple-adjacent vibe that won’t clutter your workspace.

It’s not every day you can ditch three chargers for one that actually looks good doing it. This deal ends within just over 12 hours at the time of writing, or sooner if stock runs out. So, if you’ve been waiting for a smarter, lighter charging solution, now’s the time to grab it.

Saturday Night Live Season 51 started with a bang.

The first cold open of the season featured Colin Jost as the former Fox News anchor and current U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who is now called the Secretary of War. The skit was a take on Hegseth's decision to gather military officers in Virginia for a pretty unusual meeting last week.

"Earlier this week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had the brilliant idea to gather all of our nation's top generals in one place at one time. And to throw our enemies off the scent, he told them exactly where and when it would happen," an announcement said at the top of the cold open. "We take you to this meeting now."

Enter: Jost as Hegseth, walking in with an absurd bravado and rock music blaring on stage. "Cut the track," he said before going on to call the military "gay" and "fat" and encouraging all members to begin emulating President Donald Trump: "6'6", buck 75, A-cups, perky, with a dump truck in the back you wouldn't even believe."

Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, interrupted Hegseth's speech to make sure SNL doesn't "do anything too mean about me," referencing his role in Jimmy Kimmel Live's recent suspension.

"Remember: Daddy's watching," Johnson's Trump said. "And live from New York, it's Saturday night!"

The best early October Prime Day speaker deals at a glance: Best Anker Soundcore deal Anker Soundcore Boom 3i $99.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Amazon speaker deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best JBL deal JBL Go 4 $39.95 (save $10) Get Deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $75.99 (Save $24) Get Deal

Whether your fall schedule consists of hosting parties, heading out on camping trips, or solo nights in, a quality speaker makes a great companion. Not to mention, they make excellent gifts — practically everyone listens to music, right? No matter the reason, if you're in the market for a Bluetooth speaker of any shape or size, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is a great time to score one for a sweet price.

The shopping event informally known as October Prime Day doesn't kick off until Oct. 7, but Amazon is dropping plenty of early deals. You can start your shopping early with speaker deals from brands like Sony, JBL, Anker Soundcore, and Amazon itself. However, if you're looking for more heavy hitters like Bose, Sonos, or Ultimate Ears, you'll have to hold off. These brands seem to be waiting until the actual event begins to lower their prices.

We'll be tracking the best speaker deals as we get closer to the Prime Big Deal Days kickoff and updating this page with the latest and greatest prices. Stay tuned.

Best early October Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $75.99
$99.99 Save $24 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker brings big sound in a small, rugged shell, now also packing an early Prime Day price of $75.99 from $99.99. Don’t be fooled by its compact size; this portable speaker delivers impressively rich 360-degree audio with strong, punchy bass that fills outdoor spaces with ease, which is what earned this model a spot on our list of best Bluetooth speakers.

It’s built to handle just about anything: waterproof, dustproof, and even floatable, making it perfect for pool parties, hikes, or beach trips. With up to 14 hours of battery life and a 131-foot Bluetooth range, it’s designed for all-day listening wherever adventure takes you. Plus, it supports recycled materials and a minimalist aesthetic that looks as good as it sounds. Simply put, the Wonderboom 4 is the kind of speaker that proves small can be seriously mighty.

More speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — $24.99 $34.99 (save $10)

• Amazon Echo Pop — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)

• Anker Soundcore 2 — $29.44 $44.99 (save $15.55)

• Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• JBL Go 4 — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)

• Sony SRS-XB100 — $48 $59.99 (save $11.99)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Sony ULT Field 1 — $95.95 $129.99 (save $34.04)

• JBL Flip 6 — $99.95 $129.95 (save $30)

• Anker Soundcore Boom 3i — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 — $119.99 $139.99 (save $20)

• Sony ULT Field 3 — $133 $199.99 (save $66.99)

• Marshall Acton III — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• JBL FLIP 5 - $89.95 $99.95 (save $10)

• Beats Pill - $129 $149.95 (save $20.95)

Saturday Night Live brought two of the internet's biggest obsessions into one of their skits this week: KPop Demon Hunters and Bad Bunny.

The skit featured Mikey Day, Sarah Sherman, Chloe Fineman, and Bad Bunny as friends catching up over brunch. They're chatting about what they're excited to watch — Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein — when Bad Bunny says he's been watching KPop Demon Hunters.

SEE ALSO: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom

The other three ask if he's watching with his kids, and Bad Bunny's character admits he doesn't have kids and says the movie is "actually not for kids" but "for smart adults." Each time the other three try to talk about something else — the Epstein files or Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad — he brings it back to KPop Demon Hunters. They don't take him seriously until Bowen Yang shows up dressed like a demon from the movie. Then, Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from KPop Demon Hunters join them on stage to perform one of the movie's songs, "Golden."

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 5, the Beats Studio Buds are on sale at Amazon for just $79.95. That's nearly 50% off their list price of $149.95 and close to their best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event kicks off on Tuesday, but deals are flooding our feeds already. If noise-cancelling earbuds are on your shopping list, check out this early deal on the Beats Studio Buds.

As of Oct. 5, the Beats Studio Buds are on sale for only $79.95 at Amazon in red, black, and white colorways. That's nearly a 50% discount from their usual list price of $149.95 and just $8 or so shy of their very best price on record.

The Studio Buds hit the market in 2021 and have since been "replaced" by the upgraded Studio Buds+. But you can still find the regular Studio Buds on shelves, which means they're still relevant in 2025. Mashable's tech reporter Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out, claiming they put the basic AirPods to shame. They pack powerful bass, decent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and can last 24 hours with the help of the charging case. And even though Beats is owned by Apple, the earbuds are device agnostic and will work seamlessly with just about any phone.

If you want a pair of earbuds that will actually sound good, cancel noise, and be friendly on your wallet, the Studio Buds make a great pick — particularly when they're on sale for basically half price.

Bad Bunny hosted SNL this weekend for its first week back on air and his monologue didn't disappoint.

He started off talking about his 30-show, three-month residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico featuring his incredible dance moves and Jon Hamm aka Juan Jamón, who was in the audience. Then, he brought up the fact that he'll be headlining the Super Bowl 60 halftime show.

"I am very happy. I am very happy and I think everyone is happy about it," he joked, nodding towards the mixed responses some people had online. Some fans were ecstatic to see him on the main stage; other people complained it might be hypocritical of him to play the show after refusing to add U.S. dates to his upcoming world tour; and other people were upset that the show would likely be predominately in Spanish.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, but not everyone's cheering

He added a few sentences in Spanish to convey how excited he was to play the Super Bowl halftime show for all the Latinos and Latinas in the U.S. and around the world.

"And if you didn't understand what I just said," he joked, "you have four months to learn."

SAVE $20: As of Oct. 5, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale for just $79.95 instead of $99.95 as an early October Prime Day deal. That's a savings of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $79.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $20 Get Deal

Looking to gain some insights into your health and wellness routine without breaking the bank? Skip the Apple Watch and go with the simple, yet intuitive Fitbit Inspire 3. It's our favorite fitness tracker under $100, and you can get it for even cheaper than usual ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event.

As of Oct. 5, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale for just $79.95 at Amazon in all three color varieties (pink, yellow, and black). That's $20 or 20% off its list price of $99.95. We've seen it drop to $69.95 in the past, but with the latest tech price hikes across the board, we'd be surprised if the budget-friendly fitness tracker hits that all-time low price on October Prime Day. FWIW, on Prime Day proper in July, it only dropped an extra $5 to $74.95. There's a chance you could save a few more bucks if you wait, but you're still getting a good deal if you shop now.

We're big fans of the Fitbit Inspire 3's intuitive design, impressive app suite, workout insights, and sleek and slim aesthetic. It offers a comprehensive suite of tracking features — from sleep and steps to stress levels and blood oxygen — and a decent battery that'll last you a week or more. "For anyone new to fitness or any dedicated gym rat, the Fitbit Inspire 3 gets you more than you pay for," our reviewer writes, giving it the Mashable Choice award honor.

Amazon's October Prime Day (aka Prime Big Deal Days) event is here to unleash massive savings as we head into the holiday shopping season. Officially kicking off on Oct. 7, the shopping event promises millions of deals across categories. There will be plenty of hefty discounts floating around — many of which are already live — but the savings won't last forever. If you're looking to score the deepest of discounts, then you need to mark your calendars now.

We've got what you need to know on how long you have to shop as well as a few deals to get you started on your way. Plus, you can check out our Prime Day hub for in-depth coverage on what products are worth grabbing and which ones are worth passing on.

SEE ALSO: What is Prime Big Deal Days? Everything you need to know and what deals to expect. What time does Prime Day end?

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days will officially come to a close at 11:59 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Oct. 8, which means around 3 a.m. on Oct. 9 for people living on the East Coast. Of course, just as deals pop up weeks ahead of the main event, many are also likely to linger past that deadline.

Best early Prime Big Deal Days deals to shop

As most Prime-centric events go, Amazon's already dishing out deals left and right ahead of the main event. The best early Prime Day deals are mostly on Amazon's own devices and services, books, earbuds, and TVs — including up to 65% off books, three free months of Kindle Unlimited, and the first discount on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen).

Here are the best early October Prime Day deals you can shop before the big day(s).

Early Prime Day book deals

• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose — $1.69 $9.99 (save $8.30)

• Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka — $1.99 $18.99 (save $17)

• Think Twice by Harlan Coben — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)

• Anxious People by Fredrik Backman — $3.99 $19.99 (save $16)

• Count My Lies by Sophie Stava — $3.99 $28.99 (save $25)

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry — $7.04 $16 (save $8.96)

• The Crash by Freida McFadden — $7.10 $17.99 (save $10.89)

• Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica — $7.18 $16.99 (save $9.81)

• Deep End by Ali Hazelwood — $8.09 $20 (save $11.91)

• One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune — $9.48 $19 (save $9.52)

• Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez — $10.98 $28 (save $17.02)

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt — $11.38 $29.99 (save $18.61)

• Matriarch by Tina Knowles — $12.62 $35 (save $22.38)

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix — $12.92 $30 (save $17.08)

• The Names by Florence Knapp — $14.11 $30 (save $15.89)

Early Prime Day Amazon device deals

• Echo Buds with ANC — $34.99 $119.99 (save $85)

• Blink Outdoor 4 — $34.99 $79.99 (save $45)

• Blink Wired Floodlight Camera — $49.99 $99.98 (save $50)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) — $69.99 $139.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (64GB) — $79.99 $179.99 (save $100)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (32GB) — $84.99 $159.99 (save $75)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (32GB) — $104.99 $189.99 (save $85)

• Echo Hub — $119.99 $179.99 (save $60)

• Echo Frames — $119.99 $299.99 (save $180)

• Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $120)

Early Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $48.99 $79.99 (save $31)

• EarFun Free Pro 3 — $49.97 $79.99 (save $30.03)

• EarFun Air Pro 4 — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• EarFun Wave Pro — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro — $124.95 $179.95 (save $55)

• Sennheiser Accentum — $129.95 $189.95 (save $60)

• Beats Studio Pro — $199.95 $349.99 (save $150.04)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) — $279 $299 (save $20)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $299 $449.95 (save $150.95)

Early Prime Day Apple deals

• Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + cellular, 42mm) — $329 $499 (save $170)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $389 $399 (save $10)

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $499 $649 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,399 (save $200)

Amazon is also doling out some extra perks for Team Prime ahead of Prime Day. Members can get a free three-month trial of Amazon Music Unlimited; get Audible Premium Plus for three months for $0.99/month; and get three free months of Kindle Unlimited.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're an '80s pop fan.

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

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

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

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

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 September 2, 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: Needed for greenery to flourish

• Green: To astonish

• Blue: Like a Virgin

• Purple: Automobiles

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: Used to grow a houseplant

• Green: Flabbergast

• Blue: Madonna songs

• Purple: ___ Car

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 #848 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Used to grow a houseplant: POT, SEED, SOIL, WATER

• Flabbergast: FLOOR, ROCK, SHAKE, SHOCK

• Madonna songs: CHERISH, FROZEN, HOLIDAY, MUSIC

• ___ Car: BUMPER, CLOWN, GETAWAY, SPORTS

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 September 29, 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 a bit of a misdirect.

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.

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're a trickster.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Don't take the bait

The words are related to lying.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe conning someone.

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 Its a Trap.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 5

• Deception

• Trick

• Its A Trap

• Stratagem

• Decoy

• Ruse

• Lure

• Ploy

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 isn't a bird or Superman.

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.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you're a frequent flyer.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 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 September 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A flying vehicle.

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 P.

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...

PLANE

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 September 2, 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 Wordle answer features a couple things that might trip people up regardless of their favorite starting word.

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.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you're a messenger.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 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 September 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To pass along.

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 R.

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...

RELAY

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 September 2, 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.