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TL;DR: Get GhostShield VPN Premium lifetime access for only $49.99 (reg. $399).

Opens in a new window Credit: GhostShield VPN GhostShield AI-Powered VPN Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$399 Save $349.01   Get Deal

A VPN is more useful when its controls fit the way you actually use your devices. GhostShield’s AI-Powered VPN Premium Plan is $49.99 (reg. $399) for lifetime access, covering up to 10 simultaneous connections with one payment.

Its standout feature is an AI Threat Analyzer that inspects traffic behavior in real time and flags malicious domains and suspicious connections. That adds information about potential risks alongside the VPN’s core job of encrypting your connection.

GhostShield uses WireGuard with ChaCha20 encryption and offers 20 server locations across 16 countries. Unlimited bandwidth means there are no plan-based data caps or throttling limits to manage during downloads, streaming, or video calls. A built-in speed test lets you check performance inside the app.

The connection controls are practical, too. A kill switch cuts internet access if the VPN tunnel drops, while DNS leak protection keeps DNS requests within the encrypted connection. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly.

For browsing, built-in ad and tracker blocking helps reduce unwanted activity. Family Mode filters gambling and adult content while allowing social media access.

For households or individuals juggling several devices, you get a shared set of privacy and connection tools without recurring subscription payments. The 10-device allowance leaves room for different screens under one account.

Get GhostShield VPN Premium lifetime access for just $49.99 (reg. $399).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

TL;DR: Get the 1TB Cloud Storage & File Transfer Lifetime Subscription Bundle for $89.99 (reg. $748), including Drime’s 1TB storage plan and Transfr Pro with encrypted transfers.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The 1TB Cloud Storage & File Transfer Lifetime Subscription Bundle $89.99
$748 Save $658.01   Get Deal

Finishing a project is one job. Storing it securely and getting it to the right people are two other things to check off your list. The 1TB Cloud Storage & File Transfer Lifetime Subscription Bundle is only $89.99 (reg. $748), and it pairs Drime storage with Transfr Pro delivery tools for one payment.

Drime provides 1TB of lifetime cloud storage with no file-size cap. Large videos, raw photos, and client deliverables can stay intact rather than being split into smaller uploads. Desktop and mobile synchronization keeps your files accessible across devices.

Shared workspaces support up to 15 members, with built-in document and media editing, timestamped comments on videos and PDFs, and electronic signatures through Drime Sign. Password-protected links and expiration dates help control sharing, while 120-day version history lets you restore earlier files.

For sensitive material, Drime’s end-to-end encrypted Vault encrypts files locally. Drime hosts data in Europe without routing it through United States servers.

Transfr Pro handles the delivery side. Send files without a transfer-size cap, personalize transfer pages with your branding, and let recipients preview documents, images, and videos before downloading.

Its Send & Track analytics show views, downloads, visitor locations, and transfer activity in real time. That visibility is useful when you need to confirm whether someone has accessed a deliverable.

Transfr includes its own 1TB capacity for shared files, with transfers available for up to 60 days. That allowance is separate from Drime’s 1TB storage. End-to-end encryption protects transferred files, and browser-based access requires no desktop installation.

For freelancers and teams managing both ongoing projects and finished deliverables, the pairing addresses two distinct needs.

Get both lifetime Drime storage with Transfr Pro subscriptions for one $89.99 payment (reg. $748).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 27, Apple AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $49.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have dipped below $200 at Amazon, so if you've been eyeing up the premium earbuds for early Christmas shopping or an upgrade for yourself, now is a good time to buy. Normally $249.99, this new deal drops the price to $199.99, saving you $50.

The AirPods Pro 3 are a great choice if noise cancellation is important to you. They block up to twice as much unwanted background noise as the previous generation, and the new acoustic system also delivers improvements to bass, clarity, and detail.

SEE ALSO: Three AirPods deals worth picking up before Black Friday, plus one to wait on

Built-in heart rate monitoring is incredibly clever, letting you track your pulse and estimated calorie burn during workouts without needing a separate fitness tracker. Using tiny pulses of light to measure blood flow in your ear, the AirPods can record your heart rate throughout a session and send the information to your iPhone.

The battery life is just as impressive. You can get up to eight hours of listening with active noise cancellation enabled, or up to 10 hours in Transparency mode when using the Hearing Aid feature.

Find this AirPods deal at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $70: As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale for $372.49 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Nural $372.49 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $77.50   Get Deal at Amazon

Every day should be a good hair day, and while the best dupes can go a long way, there's nothing quite like the real thing when it comes to the Dyson Supersonic Nural. Its clever technology doesn't just give you perfectly blown-out hair, but it also protects it from heat damage that's normally associated with hot styling.

As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale for more than $70 off the list price. Usually $449.99, it's now $372.49 at Amazon.

This hair dryer is known for its built-in sensor technology, which automatically adjusts settings to help make drying more comfortable. Scalp Protect mode, for example, regulates the air temperature to maintain a target of 130°F at the scalp, helping to reduce exposure to excessive heat.

This Dyson dryer also learns your styling preferences. The attachment recognition feature identifies which accessory you're using and automatically remembers your preferred heat and airflow settings, so you don't have to adjust them manually every time. There's also Pause Detect, which reduces airflow and switches off the heater when you put the dryer down, then turns it back on when you use it again.

This Dyson deal is available at Amazon now, so don't miss out.

SAVE $270: As of Oct. 27, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 49% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum $279.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $270   Get Deal at Amazon

Staying on top of floor cleaning can feel like an endless task, especially if you have a busy home with pets that love to shed. Robot vacuums take some of that hassle away from you, and models like the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra can do so with incredible efficiency.

The vacuum comes with a bagless, self-emptying base that can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt and debris, so you won't need to empty it after every cleaning session. And its self-cleaning brushroll is designed to tackle loose hair, so long strands or pet hair stand no chance.

SEE ALSO: Sam's Club Black Friday 2026: See the ad scans, doorbusters, and early savings

Battery life is another useful feature, with up to 120 minutes of runtime on a full charge. When the battery runs low, the robot can return to its base to recharge and resume where it left off, so you don't have to restart the cleaning cycle yourself.

If this robot vacuum sounds like a dream come true for your chores list, you'll be pleased to know it's also on sale. As of Oct. 27, it's down to $279.99, saving you $270. You'll find it available at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: Daily Red is a free, daily Pokémon battle game where everyone gets one chance a day to defeat Red on Mt. Silver. Red's team stays the same, but your lineup is randomly generated every 24 hours — forcing you to win with whatever random squad you're dealt.

If your morning browser routine already includes Wordle or the Mini Crossword, there is a new fan-made puzzle game making the rounds among Pokémon fans. Daily Red takes the most legendary boss encounter in franchise history and reimagines it as a fast-paced, tactical puzzle you can solve in under five minutes.

Instead of spending dozens of hours training a competitive squad, the game puts you right on top of Mt. Silver for a Level 100 showdown against Red. The catch? You do not get to pick your party. Every 24 hours, every player worldwide is handed the exact same randomly generated lineup of six Pokémon. Your job is to figure out how to pilot whatever unusual, bench-warming team you've been dealt to victory.

Is Daily Red an official Pokémon game?

No. Daily Red is an unofficial, free-to-play fan project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. It runs entirely in your browser with no microtransactions, ads, or sign-ups required.

How to play Daily Red

Getting started takes zero downloads and no account registration. Here is the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Head to the site — Go to daily-red.com on your mobile device or desktop browser.

2. Inspect your squad — Click to begin your daily match at the peak of Mt. Silver. Once the fight starts, inspect your six assigned Level 100 Pokémon — checking their movesets, abilities, and type coverage — before locking in your first move against Red's lead Pikachu.

3. Outsmart Red — Defeat all six of Red's classic Level 100 Pokémon before he wipes your party out.

4. Share and track — Copy your spoiler-free results grid to share with friends, then return the next day to protect your streak.

Your win streaks and battle stats are saved directly to your browser's local cache. If you want to keep a long streak going, stick to the same device and browser for your daily battles. 

Daily Red relies on the same viral mechanics that made Wordle a massive hit: every player tackles the same daily puzzle, your wins are tracked through an ongoing streak, and you can share a color-coded grid of your results without spoiling the winning moves for others.

Knowing your enemy: Red's fixed team

While your party changes every single night, Red's team remains completely static. Knowing who he brings to the fight lets you plan your strategy before making your first move:

• Pikachu (Level 100 — always his starting lead)

• Espeon (Level 100)

• Snorlax (Level 100)

• Venusaur (Level 100)

• Charizard (Level 100)

• Blastoise (Level 100)

Because Red always leads with Pikachu, your first big tactical decision happens the second the match loads. Check your six assigned Pokémon to see who has the best matchup or immunity against an electric lead, then plan how you'll handle his bulkier threats like Snorlax later in the match.

The daily battle resets every night at midnight in your local time zone. A live countdown timer at the top of the site tracks how much time remains in the current window. Once the clock strikes midnight, everyone receives a brand-new randomized party to take on Red all over again.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon x Beats: Where to buy Pokémon collab that turns the Beats Pill into a Pikachu-themed speaker

Whether you get handed an overpowered legendary or find yourself trying to defeat a Level 100 Snorlax using a Luvdisc, it’s easy to see why Daily Red is blowing up across the Pokémon community right now.

The iPhone Duo is a whole new type of device in Apple's lineup, and the first thought that came to mind when I got it was, "This thing has to have a bunch of cool new hidden tricks."

As it turns out, I was right. After 10 days with the Duo, I've found myself discovering new ways to do stuff almost every day. And it's not just easter eggs; I'm talking about features and tricks that have since become a regular part of my arsenal. I'm using these to do things faster, make my life easier, and yes, to show off to anyone who'll listen.

These are my favorite hidden features and tips for using the Apple iPhone Duo.

Control Center shortcut Not only is the iPhone Duo's Control Center more informative than on other iPhones, it's also easier to invoke. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

This one is simple, but so very satisfying. One of the features that annoyed me on all of the iPhones I've had over the years (ever since the iPhone X, that is) was the Control Center. It should show up when I swipe down from the top-right corner of my display, but sometimes it doesn't appear, or I accidentally open the Notification Center.

But on the iPhone Duo, you can open the Control Center in a new way. In the top-right of the display, there's a neat new icon that combines WiFi and cell signal strength with battery life. Tap that, and the Control Center immediately slides down (the combo icon also expands into separate icons that display more information about battery, cellular, and WiFi signal).

It took some getting used to, but this is a far better way to open the Control Center. Not only is it easier to tap an icon than to swipe down, but the Control Center opens reliably every single time.

Shortcut controls for opening and closing the phone

I admit it: I haven't yet found a truly useful case for this one. But it does sound like it could be useful down the road. As noted by Federico Vittici, you can bind a Shortcut to opening and closing the iPhone Duo, which lets you do almost anything with those actions automatically.

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Obvious ideas include launching a favorite app, changing the wallpaper, or just invoking the good old creaky door sound for Halloween. Whatever people end up doing with it, it's definitely one trick that you just cannot do on any other iPhone.

Change the position of the volume controls Wait, which one is volume up, again? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The first issue I've had with the iPhone Duo is something I'll call orientation fatigue. The phone is so much fun to use when it's open that I kept flipping it around to see how the apps would adapt, but I constantly found myself lost about where the power, camera, and volume buttons are.

The iPhone Duo has two ways to mitigate the issue. The power button will, in certain cases, get highlighted when it's needed, though this is not always the case. But there's also a setting that dynamically adjusts the volume buttons based on the iPhone Duo's orientation.

The setting is located in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Fixed Position Volume Controls. By default, it's turned on, meaning the volume buttons will stay fixed no matter how you turn the phone. But if you switch this option off, the volume buttons will change so that the button on the right or on top is always the "volume up" button, no matter how you hold the phone.

Vertical multitasking Side-by-side view only works in horizontal mode, but you can still have two apps open at the same time in vertical mode, as long as one of them is a video. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Apple highlighted this one, so it's not exactly hidden, but it's slightly more challenging to invoke, making it easier to miss. The iPhone Duo supports "regular "multitasking in horizontal mode, in which you drag two apps to opposite sides of the display to get a side-by-side view.

If you turn the phone to a vertical position, the side-by-side view will vanish. But you can also multitask in a vertical position, though under one condition: one of the apps has to be a video PiP (picture-in-picture) window. To get this, open a video app such as YouTube, start a video, then minimize the video app. The video should stay in a tiny window floating above all other apps on the Duo's display. Now, start a second app, turn the Duo vertical, and drag the little video window to the top of the display. You'll get a cool split-screen view where the video plays on top, and the other app sits beneath it.

On any other phone, this wouldn't be very useful, but the Duo's display is wide enough to make this a viable option.

The other StandBy mode Yes, there are two different StandBy modes on the iPhone Duo. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

In its promo materials, Apple mostly highlighted StandBy in tent mode, in which you fold the iPhone Duo halfway, then position it on a flat surface like a little tent. When the phone goes to sleep, it will launch a beautiful StandBy screen, with several customizable views.

But you can also get that when the phone is fully unfolded and positioned horizontally. If you have a case with a kickstand, you can position it upright and get a larger StandBy mode that doesn't have multiple views but is far more customizable in itself, allowing you to populate it with widgets such as Clock, Calendar, Photos, TV+, Stocks, Notes; nearly anything you can think of.

Both StandBy modes are useful. When I go to sleep, I prefer to have the phone in tent mode for a glance at the time. But when I work, I like the larger StandBy mode with a Calendar and a large world time view of the Clock.

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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $59.99 at Amazon. That's way under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

For a brief period, Amazon's stunning $59.99 deal on the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box vanished. At the start of the week, we were seeing prices hovering around $175. The "request invite" had gone, but we were looking at paying well over market price. This was a tough time for everyone involved, but we're glad to see Amazon's wild offer has made a triumphant return.

For a limited time, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is listed for just $59.99 on Amazon. Shipping and sales are handled directly by Amazon, but Amazon is still routing orders through its "request invite" system. These are selling fast, so collectors are clearly getting through.

Amazon’s price is way under TCGplayer’s $1117 market price. That's rare to see these days, so you know shoppers are going to jump on this.

The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box contains nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an exclusive full-art foil Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 custom card sleeves, damage-counter dice, a condition marker, card dividers, a collector’s player guide, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Shop the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB for under $60 at Amazon.

The best wireless earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about active noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. You can also get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds, bone-conduction earbuds for working out, and open earbuds for transparency.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

In 2026, our top picks for earbuds are the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen), and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality and ANC. But keep in mind that these models will run you $299 to $329. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending over $300 on a pair of earbuds is a lot to stomach. That's why we've also included more budget-friendly wireless earbuds under $100 that still deliver excellent performance.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our favorite wireless and noise-cancelling earbuds as of October 2026.

Types of earbuds

There are two overarching types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high-tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, other than Bose's newest release.

The biggest positive of wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

Newer additions to this guide

We added the new Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case to this guide in October following their September 2026 release as a cheaper alternative for Apple users, or for folks who don't prefer the ear tip fit of the AirPods Pro 3.

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of February 2026, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people. Also in February 2026, we added the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds as our top pick for the best overall earbud, and removed the previous generation, the WF-1000XM5, as the best Sony earbud.

Latest earbuds news

Bose recently announced two new open earbuds: the Ultra Open (2nd gen) and Sport Open. We'll be testing them out to see how they compare to the Shokz earbuds in this guide. Bose also released a new pair of wired noise-cancelling earbuds, which are a breakthrough in the wired earbuds market.

With the announcement that Bose is acquiring Skullcandy and the release of the Noise Master Buds Open earbuds with Sound by Bose, we'll be testing more Bose-powered audio products not directly from the brand.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We formerly included the Marshall Mode earbuds for folks who preferred a wired option, but have since removed them from our guide as the version we tested is difficult to find in stock these days.)

If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendations in 2026. All of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

If you've grabbed drinks with any single friend lately or scrolled through TikTok, you know the general consensus: dating apps are exhausting. App fatigue is very real, and it makes finding a genuine connection online feel like a second full-time job. As someone who's been testing and reviewing dating apps for years, I get asked one question over and over: Which dating apps actually work?

My answer is always the same: The only real "hack" is choosing the right app for what you actually want. Someone choosing eharmony may want a structured, relationship-focused experience, while someone on Tinder might be looking for anything from a casual hookup to a long-term partner. The important thing is finding an app (and people) whose goals line up with yours.

SEE ALSO: One in 10 young singles stopped dating because it's too expensive, report states

“It’s very common to spend days, weeks, or even months messaging with someone, become infatuated with the fantasy of them, and then get together in person and be disappointed,” Suzannah Weiss, sex/couples therapist and resident sexologist for Erojoy, tells Mashable. “I wouldn’t let more than a few days go by before transitioning to an in-person meeting or at least a video call.”

So, before you delete your profiles and swear off romance forever, take a breath. Despite the burnout, people are still finding partners online. A 2026 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found that half of U.S. adults who have used a dating site or app have been in a committed relationship with someone they met through one.

You just need the right tool. That's why I swiped, matched, and messaged my way through dozens of platforms to find the best dating apps of 2026. Whether you're looking for a serious commitment or just a casual weekend fling, these are the apps I think are worth downloading this year.

If you need even more personalized advice, check out our guides to the best dating apps for men, women, and gay and bisexual men.

The dating apps I'd skip (and why)

You'll probably notice a few popular apps are missing from my list. That’s intentional. Part of my job is to filter out the platforms that aren't worth your time, money, or sanity. An app doesn't get my recommendation just because it's well-known — I need a good reason to send you there instead of somewhere else.

Here are a few popular dating apps I'd skip:

• Plenty of Fish (POF): I know this one shows up on a lot of lists, but it didn't make my cut. In my experience, sorting through suspicious and low-effort profiles made finding someone I actually wanted to talk to feel like more work than it was worth. Unless you enjoy doing that much filtering before you even get to a conversation, I think your time is better spent elsewhere.

• Raya: Raya is basically the Soho House of dating apps. It's exclusive, expensive, and not for the average person. You have to fill out an application and wait to see whether you're accepted through its vetting process. Getting in doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a better time finding a date, either. While it might be great for networking or bagging an influencer, it's just not a practical recommendation for most people who are simply looking for a date. (See also: The League.)

• Niche "hookup" sites (like BeNaughty, Fling, etc.): There's a chance you've seen ads for sites like these, which promise quick, no-strings-attached fun. That pitch alone isn't enough to earn my recommendation. I'd start with the hookup apps I've recommended instead, and read the subscription and cancellation terms carefully before signing up for any unfamiliar site.

After more than a decade of making content online, MeganPlays has learned she doesn't need an elaborate creator setup to get the job done.

In fact, when Mashable asked the gaming creator what essential tech and tools she keeps in her bag, she had a pretty simple answer. "I raw-dog it," Megan said. "I just have my cell phone." Fair enough.

SEE ALSO: How MeganPlays has adapted through every era of YouTube

Megan has spent more than 13 years creating content online, building an audience through gaming videos on YouTube before expanding across platforms like TikTok, where she now has 5 million followers. But her mobile creator kit remains surprisingly minimal.

Here's what MeganPlays keeps in her bag.

MeganPlays doesn't overthink her creator gear. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images Her phone Apple iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro on Us With Trade-in and Qualifying Plan at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at Best Buy See It at AT&T Wireless

No complicated camera setup here. "I just have my cell phone," Megan said.

That's particularly useful for the more personal content Megan posts to TikTok, where her approach is intentionally loose. Rather than overthinking every upload, she films vlogs, tries filters, participates in trends, and posts whatever strikes her as fun in the moment.

As she put it when describing her TikTok strategy: "If it comes to mind, do it."

A magnetic phone light Magnetic Selfie Light for iPhone Phone Light with Clip,Magnetic Ring Light for Phone Rechargeable with 3 Modes Travel Video Light LED Mini Ring Light for Recording Android Ipad $25.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

There is one accessory attached to that phone: a small magnetic light. "I also have a little magnetic light on the back of my phone for selfies, of course," Megan said. Priorities.

There is, however, one downside. "It does make a ringing noise," she added.

Which brings us to a brand-new addition to Megan's creator bag.

A tiny microphone Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon RØDE Wireless Micro (2 Mics + Case), USB-C for Smartphones, Orange $99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Technically, Megan didn't arrive at Mashable's VidCon studio with a microphone. She left wanting one.

After spotting the mini Rode wireless mics we were using for interviews, she decided her minimalist setup could accommodate one more piece of tech. "You were telling me about these little mics," Megan said. "I'll pick one of these up. Add it to my bag."

Then she realized it could solve the problem of her noisy phone light. "Now I'm gonna have this mic," she said. "Oh my God, the ideas, they come to me."

Consider her creator setup officially upgraded.

Lip gloss

And finally, the actual nonnegotiable. "Lip gloss, obviously," Megan said. "Obviously lip gloss. Always gotta look good."

Phone. Light. Mic. Lip gloss. After 13 years online, that's all that MeganPlays needs.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage and meet The Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.

Astronomers caught something unusual about the ice of a comet that came from another star system.

A Southwest Research Institute team pointed NASA's James Webb Space Telescope at interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS three times between Aug. 2025 and April 2026, catching it before and after its closest pass by the sun. 

The space telescope spreads a comet's light into a rainbow, including infrared light that human eyes can't see. Water ice soaks up light at a few specific spots in the rainbow. That pattern makes it possible to detect water ice the way a fingerprint can identify a person. 

Ice normally leaves one deep mark and two faint ones, and most comets around our sun show all three. But in 3I/ATLAS, the two faint marks barely registered, if they showed up at all. Researchers ran computer simulations and found that light scatters off comet grains in a similar way if tiny bits of ice are blended with more dust. Because the dust blocks light before it penetrates far through the ice, the lighter two marks tend to vanish.

"At first glance, 3I/ATLAS looks different from the icy comets we know," said Silvia Protopapa, lead author of a new paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, in a statement. "But when we placed it alongside distant icy worlds in our own solar system, it no longer looked out of place." 

SEE ALSO: China is coming for the moon. NASA's answer: a faster, leaner plan

While the alien comet's dusty ice looked strange compared to the form usually seen in solar system comets, the team noticed that its makeup actually lines up with ice on some frozen worlds far past Neptune. That suggests ice may form in similar ways around different stars, as tiny grains that range from nearly pure to heavily dusty. If so, the raw materials for building planets may look much alike from one star to the next. 

Comets like this one start out in planet-forming disks — the flat, spinning clouds of gas and dust that surround young stars. As worlds assemble, gravity can hurl leftover icy chunks clear out of a system. That may explain how some interstellar objects have lost their way from home. 

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Astronomers have caught just three passing through our solar system. Telescopes never detected a glowing halo of ice turning into gas, known as a coma, around the first, 'Oumuamua, causing many to later doubt that it was a comet. But both 2I/Borisov and 3I/ATLAS showed signs of a coma. 

The team compared 3I/ATLAS's halo to existing Webb data on Trans-Neptunian objects, icy bodies that circle the sun beyond Neptune. Many scientists view these distant worlds as time capsules from our solar system's infancy.

Several groups of them share the comet's pattern: a strong water-ice signature, with the two faint ones barely detected or missing altogether. The best matches also carry carbon dioxide ice and carbon-rich compounds. 

The ice grains in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS appear dustier than those in native comets, according to new research. Credit: Southwest Research Institute / Silvia Protopapa infographic

"The icy building blocks of planets, here and around other stars, may share ice in the form of tiny, micron-scale grains, ranging from relatively pure ice to ice mixed with dust," Protopapa said, "with 3I/ATLAS toward the dusty end."

If more evidence backs up this notion, a young star's disk may decide early on what form its ice will take, the researchers said. Comets and other icy bodies that grow there would carry at least some of that original material with them.

By April, as 3I/ATLAS raced away from the sun, Webb's readings pointed to a second crop of ice-rich grains. They ran slightly larger than the earlier ones but still measured roughly a micron — one-millionth of a meter and far thinner than a human hair.

"We can't yet tell whether the changes over time are the result of the sun heating the grains differently at each observation, or of new material exposed as the comet’s surface eroded near the sun," said Michael Kelley, a co-author of the paper, in a statement. "Both are possible, and telling them apart is one of the open questions we aim to address."

The best early Black Friday deals from Sam's Club: Best grooming deal Philips Norelco OneBlade Face and Body Electric Shaver and Trimmer $39.98 (save $10) Get Deal Best home deal Member's Mark 8-inch Medium Firm Memory Foam Mattress $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 55-inch Class M70H Series Mini LED 4K TV $297.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best laptop deal HP 17.3-inch FHD Laptop $599 (save $250) Get Deal Best appliance deal LG Top Load Washer With Agitator $615 (Save $330) Get Deal

The holiday shopping rush has kicked off ahead of schedule now that the Sam’s Club Black Friday 2026 ads are online. The warehouse club is rolling out its discounts across three distinct waves throughout November: the Weekend Doorbusters ad running Nov. 6–8, the Pre-Black Friday ad for Nov. 15-25, and the main Black Friday preview ad launching online Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) through Nov. 29.

But you don't have to wait until November to get rolling, because Sam’s Club already has member markdowns live. If you need a big-screen productivity machine, the HP 17.3-inch FHD laptop is down to $599, shaving $250 off its $849 list price, bundled with an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip and two years of accidental damage protection. You can also pair that with home theater markdowns like Samsung 4K smart TVs, or an LG top-load washer slashed by $330 down to $615.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday 2026 deals: See holiday gift guides from Amazon, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Ulta, and more

To get in on what's live today and unlock the upcoming November waves, you will need an active Sam's Club membership, which costs $50 per year for standard Club access or $110 for Plus (which gives you early online access to doorbusters). Physical warehouse clubs stay closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the discounts launch online that morning before doors open at 8 a.m. for members on Black Friday.

Best grooming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Norelco OneBlade Face and Body Electric Shaver and Trimmer $39.98 at Sam's Club
$49.98 Save $10   Get Deal at Sam's Club Why we like it

If you hate juggling different trimmers just to tidy your beard and groom your body, the Philips Norelco OneBlade Face and Body makes daily upkeep dead simple. It uses a fast-moving cutter that fires 12,000 times per minute, with a rounded glide coating, slicing through thick scruff or fine stubble without nicking your skin or causing razor burn. This bundle includes two dedicated face blades, a 5-in-1 adjustable stubble comb, and a separate body blade with a click-on skin guard and a 3mm comb for sensitive areas below the neck.

Best home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Member's Mark Member's Mark 8-Inch Medium Firm Memory Foam Mattress $249 at Sam's Club
$299 Save $50   Get Deal at Sam's Club Why we like it

The Member's Mark 8-inch Medium Firm Memory Foam Mattress hits an easy sweet spot of balanced support for back, side, and stomach sleepers without feeling like a rock. Its pressure-relieving layers cradle your hips and shoulders, while copper graphite-infused foam actively pulls away excess body heat so hot sleepers do not wake up sweating. It drops right onto platform beds, box springs, or adjustable frames without any fussy setup and comes backed by a five-year warranty that makes outfitting a guest room or first apartment worry-free.

More home deals

• Member's Mark 11-Piece Modern Ceramic Cookware Set — $179.98 $199 (save $19.02)

• Cuisinart 14-in-1 Space-Saving Digital Air Fryer Oven with 2-in-1 9"x13" Pan — $119 $139.77 (save $20.77)

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch Class M70H Series Mini LED 4K TV $297.99 at Sam's Club
$347.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Sam's Club Why we like it

The Samsung Mini LED 4K smart TV is a standout pick for anyone wanting high-end picture clarity without paying premium OLED prices. It pairs Mini LED precision with a billion shades of color to punch out bright highlights and deep, inky blacks, while Motion Xcelerator keeps fast-paced sports and gaming silky smooth. You also get hundreds of free streaming channels out of the box with Samsung TV Plus, plus a three-year manufacturer's warranty for extra peace of mind.

More TV deals

• LG 55-inch Class Nano NU850 Series 4K Smart TV — $279.91 $379.99 (save $100.08)

• Samsung 65-inch Class QN70H Series Neo Mini LED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,097.99 (save $300)

• TCL 98-inch Class Q6 Series QLED Smart TV — $1,297.99 $1,598 (save $300.01)

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP 17.3-inch FHD Laptop $599 at Sam's Club
$849 Save $250   Get Deal at Sam's Club Why we like it

The HP 17.3-inch FHD laptop is built for anyone who wants desktop-sized screen space without having to stay parked at a desk. That generous 17.3-inch display lets you juggle side-by-side tabs, stream video, or plow through spreadsheets without squinting or nonstop scrolling. Its Intel chip handles daily browsing and work tasks smoothly, while the full numeric keypad, built-in ports, and crisp auto-adjusting HDR webcam make working from home or hopping on family calls hassle-free.

More laptop deals

• HP OmniBook 3 14-inch 2K OLED Next Gen AI Laptop (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $479 $699 (save $220)

• HP 15.6-inch FHD Touch Laptop (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499 $549 (save $50)

Best appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 4.1 cu. ft. Top Load Washer With Agitator $615 at Sam's Club
$945 Save $330   Get Deal at Sam's Club Why we like it

The LG 4.1 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with Agitator tackles laundry day without a fuss, offering a spacious drum built for bulky bedding and oversized family loads. Its smart four-way wash action and 6Motion technology work together to shift clothes up, down, and side to side, blasting away stubborn dirt while keeping fabrics from getting beat up. Because the direct-drive motor spins independently of the tub mechanism, you get a thorough, powerful cycle that stays remarkably quiet, making it an easy pick for reliable everyday cleaning.

More home appliance deals

• Samsung 4.4 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with ActiveWave Agitator — $625 $760 (save $135)

• LG 6.9 cu. ft. Smart Gas Double Oven Slide-in Range — $2,595 $3,795 (save $1,200)

Another Black Friday season is almost here, and in typical Amazon fashion, you can shop deals weeks in advance. While Black Friday proper technically doesn't happen until Nov. 27 this year, plenty of discounts are worth adding to your cart as early as October.

Deals will be dropping constantly throughout the season, which means shopping can get overwhelming pretty fast. We know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer's remorse. No judgment.

There's still lots more to come as we head into the busiest shopping season of the year. If you run into some questions or concerns during your Amazon shopping journey — from classic cases of buyer's remorse to damaged packages to Prime membership questions — customer service is just a few clicks away.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

Here are all the ways to get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after Black Friday. And yes, you can actually talk to a real person.

Amazon customer service help page

This is probably the most common and easiest way to find answers to common queries, such as Amazon’s return policies or international shipping information. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.

To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on "Customer Service" in the top right of the screen. 

Amazon customer service email

Sometimes customer queries need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to better help shoppers. In these cases, users can email cs-reply@amazon.com and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best option for urgent questions about your purchases, as customers are unlikely to receive a prompt response.

Amazon customer service phone number

Need a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot answers and, depending on the type of query, eventually connects them to Amazon staff. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes sent to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you're sharing an account with someone else.

Amazon online chat service

Real-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer Service help page and click on "Help with something else." When the list pops up underneath, choose "something else" once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select "I need help with something else."

Now you've officially entered the chat. Type "Talk to associate" in the chat box. Amazon's messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you'd rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select "I need more help" from the pre-written responses.

From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you're looking for immediate help with a purchase — be it due to buyer's remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.

For simple questions, Amazon's AI chat feature called "Rufus" can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.

Contact Amazon via social media

If your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.

The COVID-conscious lesbian bar in Western Massachusetts is closing. Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue went viral after the Boston Globe reported on conflict sparked by the relaxation of its KN-95 mask policy. 

SEE ALSO: How this lesbian watering hole became the most (in)famous bar in the world

Last Ditch announced the closure in an Instagram post on Monday, effective immediately (though excluding events that had already been booked). This doesn't necessarily mean that the COVID-conscious lesbian bar is gone for good. Last Ditch stated that it was a "soft" closure, and put out a call for anyone interested in joining the business as owners — or taking over completely.

However, without such a saviour, it seems likely that this will be the end for Last Ditch.

"We have put our lives on hold to foster networks of care, resources, and a home base for organizing. It's time we pass it on," Last Ditch wrote in its Instagram post. "We've been fighting since the beginning to fill out the team, and we still don't have a board/leadership to manage workers owned Co-op transfer."

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Last Ditch gained internet fame last month following a Boston Globe article detailing uproar surrounding changes to its masking policy. Online commenters had harshly criticised the decision, accusing Last Ditch of ableism and even calling for violence in some cases. The situation quickly spiralled out of control, involving apologies, retractions, public meetings, and furiously dissatisfied commenters, with the venue's leadership team falling apart.

This outsized reaction may have been enough to spark Boston Globe readers' interest, however it was the strange details and anecdotes within the article that really captured the internet's attention. Though deputy editor Annalisa Quinn was reporting on the facts, the facts seemed to border on parody, with people reposting quotes such as "one [Last Ditch owner] had enrolled in clown school."

While Last Ditch has been overshadowed by the furore surrounding it, the venue aimed to provide an inclusive and welcoming space for lesbians. With this week's announcement, the LGBTQ community is now left mourning the loss of one of the scant few lesbian bars in the U.S.

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Instagram is introducing longform video. Called Features, the new format will allow users to upload videos up to 90 minutes long.

SEE ALSO: Instagram will now edit the first draft of your Reel for you

"So many creators are producing longer videos, and they're using clips of those videos to drive discovery on Reels and help build their audience," said Instagram VP of Product Tessa Lyons, announcing Features in a video alongside Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri on Monday. 

"Reels is still going to be a core part of Instagram. But when you want to go deeper with creators you love and the content they're creating, you should be able to do that on Instagram."

Longform video creators have typically favoured YouTube, which allows verified accounts to upload videos up to 12 hours long. In contrast, Instagram Reels are restricted to a maximum length of 20 minutes. Features aims to allow these creators to share their longer videos on Instagram as well, keeping their audience on the platform.

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Features appears to focus on content shot in landscape, and will be available on desktop, the mobile app, and Instagram for TV. Lyons stated that part of the new format's purpose is to help populate Instagram's television app, which allows users to watch Reels and video content on their TV.

"We've been working on a TV version of Reels, and we know that to do that well, we need more than just short-form video," said Lyons.

"People might discover a long form video that they love by seeing a Reel that's a clip of the video when they're watching Reels on mobile, and then when they go at the end of the day and open their TV and open Instagram on TV, we'll know that they watched that Reel and we'll be able to say, 'Hey, do you want to finish watching…?'"

Though Instagram is introducing longform functionality, it doesn't yet offer creators the same financial incentives as YouTube. While Instagram creators are primarily paid through third-party brand partnerships and collaborations, the YouTube Partner Program gives YouTubers a cut of revenue from ads placed on their videos (55 percent for longform and 45 percent for Shorts).

At time of writing, the most liked comment on Mosseri and Lyons' post was from mental health content creator Divija Bhasin (@awkwardgoat3), who asked, "Why would anyone post an unpaid long video on Instagram if we can just post it on YouTube and actually get paid for the effort?"

In a statement to TechCrunch, an Instagram spokesperson said that it is exploring potential monetisation models, "including performance-based incentives." However, it isn't ready to announce any such plans, the spokesperson instead focusing on users potentially being able to find more brand partnerships by expanding their audience through Features.

"Over time, we think there will be compounding benefits for creators to tell new stories, reach new audiences, and find new partners, which should lead to many monetization opportunities," the Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Judging from Lyons and Mosseri's announcement video, Instagram Features is currently missing a lot of the functionality available on YouTube. While viewers can adjust the playback speed, features such as captions and chapters appear absent during this early testing stage. Of course, such functionality may be added later, with Instagram currently conducting small tests of Features in the U.S. and Brazil.

Ethan Klein has spent years dissecting other people's internet scandals on the H3 Podcast, the comedy and commentary show he built with his wife, Hila. Now, their own relationship is at the center of the conversation.

Hila has accused Ethan of having an affair lasting more than six months, leaving the couple's marriage and the future of their show in question. Fans are trying to make sense of the news, while people across social media are digging through old episodes and swapping what they believe are clues.

If you've seen the posts but don't know the people behind them, here's what happened — and how a marriage, a podcast, and years of internet history became tangled together.

First, who are Ethan and Hila Klein?

Before the podcast, there was h3h3Productions. Ethan and Hila launched the YouTube channel in 2011, posting sketches and reaction videos that poked fun at viral clips, internet trends, and other creators. Ethan was often the louder, more confrontational presence, with Hila appearing alongside him.

One of their breakout videos was 2016's "Vape Nation," (30 million views) which followed Ethan around New York City playing an exaggerated vaping enthusiast. The outfits, enormous vape clouds, and interactions with strangers helped make him a recognizable figure in YouTube comedy.

The couple met in Israel in 2007, while Ethan was visiting on a Birthright trip, and married in 2012. As their audience grew, viewers got to know them as both creative partners and a couple.

Their H3 Podcast expanded that world into longer conversations, mixing internet commentary with interviews featuring guests such as Post Malone and Joji. The production crew became part of the show, too, joining discussions and developing their own followings.

That dynamic also powered Frenemies, the show Ethan began co-hosting with YouTuber Trisha Paytas in 2020. Sitting in front of a pink-and-black backdrop, the two traded personal stories, discussed other creators, dressed in costumes, and, most commonly, argued.

SEE ALSO: Trisha Paytas steps down from 'Frenemies' podcast after tense dispute on the show

The partnership ended in June 2021 amid disputes over money, production, and creative input. But Paytas remained connected to the family: She married Hila's brother, Moses Hacmon, later that year.

Through these different versions of H3, the Kleins' relationship remained a familiar presence. Viewers followed them as they built businesses and raised their three children. Hila also founded the clothing brand Teddy Fresh in 2017 and later launched the makeup brand Teddy Glow.

Their lives and work became closely intertwined. But now, their separation means figuring out how to untangle them.

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On Oct. 22, Ethan announced on Instagram Stories that the H3 Podcast was going on "indefinite hiatus." Hila’s subsequent Instagram statement revealed the personal crisis unfolding behind the scenes.

"I am living in a nightmare I can’t wake up from," she wrote. "My husband has been having an affair. I have been fed lie after lie after lie for months. I am tired of lies. Here is the truth."

Hila said she had sensed something was wrong and tried to discuss her concerns with Ethan. According to her account, he dismissed her questions, but the behavior that worried her continued.

"So I trusted him. Because I loved him," she wrote. "I stopped questioning him and began to question myself, my own instincts. My sanity."

When she eventually caught him in a lie, she said, his explanation kept changing. "'It was just a kiss’ became ‘it was emotional cheating,'" she wrote. "After I dragged these lies from him, he finally admitted he’d been in an affair for over 6 months, the extent of which I’m sure I still don’t know."

"He was my safe place, my partner in marriage, parenting, and business," she continued. "My only family on this side of the world. How do I even begin to make sense of this?" Hila said she was navigating separation and co-parenting while focusing on herself and their children. She did not identify the other person allegedly involved.

What does this mean for Ethan and the podcast?

The crew's response quickly made clear that the fallout would extend into the workplace.

"We are all shocked, angry, and heartbroken to learn about Ethan’s ongoing affair," the team wrote in its own Instagram statement. "We stand with Hila and will support her every step of the way."

"As soon as we found out, we all agreed: we would not continue working with Ethan involved or profiting in any way,” they added. "We don’t yet know what that means for the future. There’s a lot to work through, and we wish we had more answers for you."

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Ethan subsequently said he was working to remove his financial interests from the businesses he shares with Hila.

"I am working with Hila to urgently remove my ownership and financial stakes in any podcasts, Teddy Fresh, Teddy Glow or any joint venture that I would profit from," he wrote on Instagram Stories.

"All of your support will go directly to Hila and the crew. I do this in the hope that people can still support Hila and the crew without the concern of enriching me." He also praised the team and said its members could make an "awesome show."

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In a separate statement, Ethan asked people not to contact his family seeking him or their comments. "They have nothing to do with this and share in your outrage and disappointment,”"he wrote.

Why is Ned Fulmer involved? SEE ALSO: From BuzzFeed to streaming: A decade retrospective of the Try Guys

Ethan had plenty to say when another creator’s "wife guy" image fell apart.

In September 2022, Try Guys member Ned Fulmer admitted to a "consensual workplace relationship" with an employee. The revelation was particularly jarring because Fulmer had made his devotion to his wife, Ariel, a recurring part of the group's videos. The Try Guys announced his removal that month.

"The really sad part is they have two kids," he said. "Cheating is so despicable, man, especially when there’s kids involved."

Ethan, who shares three children with Hila, also criticized men who betray their partners after watching them go through childbirth. "It’s got to be humiliating for his wife," he said. "And she’s got to do this in the public eye."

Fulmer wasn’t about to let that pass. On Oct. 25, he posted two blunt responses on X: "ethan klein can fuck all the way off," followed by "karma’s a bitch, huh?"

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Why are Trisha Paytas and Hasan Piker coming up, too?

Once people started looking backward, the conversation expanded beyond Ethan's comments about Fulmer to his history with former collaborators. For Paytas, that meant renewed attention to old clips in which she criticized Ethan and discussed his marriage. (Because she is married to Hila's brother, Moses, the allegations involve her family as well as her former co-host.)

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On Oct. 25, Paytas reshared a message on Instagram Stories that read, "Please be with someone who thinks everything about you is a big deal," listing birthdays, favorite foods, and favorite flowers as examples. It ended with "You in general? A big deal."

As for Hasan Piker, Ethan launched political podcast Leftovers with Piker, the left-wing Twitch streamer also known as HasanAbi, in September 2021. The two discussed the news, mocked conservative figures, and debated their own political differences.

Their partnership broke down in 2023, following Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks and Israel's subsequent war in Gaza. Disagreements over Israel became increasingly contentious, and their final Leftovers episode aired on Oct. 12, 2023. The arguments continued long after the show ended. Ethan eventually released a lengthy takedown titled Content Nuke — Hasan Piker, and Piker responded to his accusations through livestreams.

That history gave Piker’s Oct. 23 post on X an apparent target. "JUDGE ME BY MY ENEMIES," he wrote. He also made a 90-minute video called, "THE ETHAN KLEIN AFFAIR CLUES ARE INSANE," which has amassed over 1 million views in 24 hours. The video accumulates what he calls "diabolical clues."

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Between Frenemies, Leftovers, and years of internet feuds, Ethan has given plenty of people a reason to follow the fallout — and they can’t stop watching it unfold on social media (at least, I can’t).

Much of that attention has turned into amateur detective work, with viewers combing through old episodes and comparing notes on TikTok and Reddit. The speculation has centered on Tamara Joseph, an animator and podcaster on H3, as users point to supposed social media unfollows and past interactions with Ethan. (Neither Ethan nor Hila publicly identified her as the person involved in the statements discussed here.)

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On Reddit, some viewers are revisiting moments they once laughed off. In a thread titled "The foreshadowing here was crazy," commenters are trying to work out whether the crew suspected anything, whether Hila was suspicious, debating whether H3 could survive without Ethan, or simply mourning a show they spent years watching.

Users on X, Reels, and TikTok have done the same.

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Ultimately, you can comb through the threads yourself, but be prepared to lose an afternoon. Years of publicly documented relationships have become material for a sprawling crowdsourced investigation. Happy sleuthing.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who live in Chicago.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Video games

• Green: Chicago stars

• Blue: Monuments of European soccer

• Purple: Could be a ballpark

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Classic Sports Video Games

• Green: Famous Chicago Athletes

• Blue: European Soccer Venues

• Purple: Starts with an MLB Stadium Name

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #764 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Classic Sports Video Games: NBA JAM, NFL BLITZ, PUNCH-OUT, TECMO BOWL

• Famous Chicago Athletes: CALEB WILLIAMS, CALEB WILSON, CONNOR BEDARD, PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG

• European Soccer Venues: BERNABEU, ELLAND ROAD, PARC DES PRINCES, ST. JAMES' PARK

• Starts with an MLB Stadium Name: ANGEL REESE, CHASE UTLEY, DODGER DOG, FENWAY FRANK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 27, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 27, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 27 Pips

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 27 Pips

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 27 Pips

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 27, 2026 Fiddle meaning

A kind of violin.

Meddle meaning

Insert oneself into someone else's business.

Tinker meaning

Repair or adjust something in an unskilled way.

Trifle meaning

Something of little value.

Anvil meaning

Tiny bone in the middle of the ear.

Canal meaning

Pathway from the outer ear to the middle ear.

Drum meaning

A cone-shaped membrane in the ear.

Stirrup meaning

The bone in the ear is responsible for sound conduction.

Diving meaning

Diver transport.

Jingle meaning

A Christmassong.

Liberty meaning

Iconic symbol of American independence.

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Taco meaning

A Mexican-inspired fast food restaurant.

Bottoms meaning

Western-style flared pants.

Jar meaning

A Sylvia Plath novel.

Pepper meaning

A sweet pepper.

Tower meaning

A large building that contains bells.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

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

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