Blogroll

SAVE $50.01: As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale for $199.98 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal at Amazon

Power cuts, weekends off-grid, and camping trips all leave you needing a reliable power source to keep your devices charged. This is what makes portable power stations so useful: they offer the flexibility to stay connected even when you're away from a wall outlet.

As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale. Normally $249.99, it is $50 off right now, down to $199.98.

The Anker C300 packs a 288Wh battery and delivers up to 300W of output, so it's a suitable option for charging everyday electronics such as phones, tablets, and laptops. Plus, Anker says the compact design is about 30% smaller than comparable power stations, making it easier to pack and carry.

You'll also have a few ways to recharge the station itself. It supports USB-C charging, car charging, and solar input (solar panels are sold separately). If you're using dual USB-C PD input, Anker says the battery can reach 80% in around an hour. And the battery is built to last, too. It has a LiFePO4 battery that is designed for long-term use, protected by smart temperature control and an impact-resistant design.

Find this portable power station deal at Amazon.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 22, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are on sale for $109.95 at Amazon. That's a 39% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: SHOKZ Shokz OpenRun Pro $109.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $70.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Running in winter often means heading out during the dark. Even if you head out at sunrise or squeeze in a few miles after work, the shorter days mean daylight runs are few and far between. When visibility is low, being able to hear traffic, cyclists, and other people around you is important. The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are designed with that in mind, and right now they're on sale at Amazon.

Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds that sit over or inside your ears, these use bone conduction technology to deliver audio through vibrations in your cheekbones. Your ears remain uncovered, so you can listen to your running playlist while staying more aware of your surroundings.

These Shokz headphones are designed specifically for runners. A lightweight titanium frame wraps around your head to keep the headphones in place while you run. In addition to providing bone conduction sound, Shokz's audio technology delivers enhanced bass.

As of Oct. 22, you'll find these on sale for $109.95, saving you $70 on the usual list price. The deal is available across three colors: black, beige, and pink.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal now.

SAVE $30: As of Oct. 22, the Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is back with a fresh design, and if you've been considering upgrading your streaming setup, this new model is already on sale at Amazon.

As of Oct. 22, you can save 50% off the list price. It's now down to $29.99, making it a great choice if you're looking for an affordable way to stream your favorite shows and movies in 4K.

With this streaming device, you'll get 4K streaming, HDR10+ picture quality, and WiFi 6 support for fast, smooth navigation. Like many of the new Fire Sticks, it comes with the updated Fire TV interface, which makes it much easier to navigate thanks to the dedicated content categories. Another great new upgrade is Direct Power. This means the stick can be powered by your TV via the included USB-C cable, so there's no need for a separate wall adapter or messy cables.

The Alexa Voice Remote has also been redesigned and comes with both power and volume controls, dedicated buttons for Live TV and the Fire TV menu, and voice search to help you find shows or even control compatible smart home devices.

Ready to upgrade your streaming? This deal can be found on Amazon now, but it's only available for a limited time.

SAVE OVER $90: As of Oct. 22, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are on sale for $88 at Amazon. That's a 51% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N $88 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $91.99   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've had your eye on a new pair of headphones, there's a pretty good deal right now at Amazon.

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are currently selling for $88, down from their usual price of $179.99, proving that you don't need to spend a lot to get reliable sound from a top brand. And both the white and pink models are included in the deal at more than half off the list price.

With these headphones, you'll get solid active noise cancellation thanks to Sony's Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor Technology that help cut out background noise. You can also switch to Ambient Sound mode if you'd rather hear what's going on around you. Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the audio experience based on your surroundings.

They're also a solid option if you plan to use them for calls. Sony's Precise Voice Pickup Technology helps keep your voice clear and accurate. Plus, the battery lasts up to 35 hours on a full charge, so you've got more than a whole day of use. And if you're in a rush, just plug them in for three minutes, and you'll get up to an hour of listening time.

You can find this Sony deal at Amazon now.

Based on my extensive hands-on testing and expert input, I’ve picked the best sexting apps and online sites for different kinds of dirty talk, whether you're messaging a partner, meeting someone new, or paying a verified creator.

Because sometimes the anticipation of a hookup is even hotter than the main event. In my experience, sexting is the ultimate form of digital foreplay. It can help long-distance partners feel closer, give long-term couples something to look forward to, and let singles explore sexual chemistry before meeting in person. Of course, everyone involved needs to be a consenting adult who's genuinely interested in taking the conversation to a steamier level.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

Sexting isn't exactly new, either. A 2015 study of 870 heterosexual U.S. adults found that nearly 88 percent of participants had sexted. That wasn't a nationally representative estimate of all American adults, but it gives us an idea of how common sexting was among the people surveyed.

You can use just about any mainstream dating app, like Tinder, Hinge, and even Hily, to find a potential sexting partner (though I think Pure is probably the best dating app for this). A match isn't permission to send something explicit, though. Ask first, and don't assume that someone looking for a hookup also wants phone sex or a photo exchange. (You know what they say about assuming.)

But once you've actually found someone who matches your freak, the next question is where to have that conversation. An app that helps you meet people isn't necessarily the one with the privacy features you want for sharing intimate messages.

You've heard of safe sex. But what about safe sexting?

As fun as the buildup is, no app can guarantee that a recipient won't save or share what you send. Sliding into the DMs on a standard social media app might feel like spontaneous fun, but a private conversation and a disappearing conversation aren't the same.

Platform rules matter, too. Mashable has reported on Instagram account removals affecting sex workers, educators, and LGBTQIA+ users, including disputed enforcement decisions. That's separate from encryption, but it's another reason to understand the services you're using instead of assuming every DM inbox works the same way.

As one of Mashable's dating app experts, I've spent the last four years testing dozens of platforms to find the best sexting apps for the job. My highest priority is always user safety. I also spoke with security expert Gary Orenstein with Bitwarden, who stressed that for sharing intimate content, "privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential." He recommends looking for apps with three key features: end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection.

Those features do different jobs. End-to-end encryption is designed to keep the service carrying your messages from reading their contents. Disappearing messages reduce the history left in a chat, while screenshot alerts may tell you when someone takes a screenshot. None can stop a recipient from photographing the screen with another device.

Following Confide's closure, Signal became my top recommendation for encrypted messaging with an existing partner or trusted connection. Its "Screen Security" setting protects content on your own device; it doesn't control screenshots on someone else's. Signal also warns that disappearing messages aren't designed to protect you from a recipient determined to keep a copy.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z has a new dating app profile rule, apparently

Whether you're looking for a free messenger for your partner, a place to find a willing sexting buddy, or an interactive session with connected toys, the picks below serve different purposes for different people. Paid creator chats and AI fantasies belong in their own categories, with their own costs and privacy considerations. If you believe in safe sex, bring that same care to your sexts.

Here's what I liked, what you can do for free, and the details worth knowing before you hit send.

Recent updates to this guide:

• Signal (July 2026): Promoted to our No. 1 overall recommendation following the official closure of Confide. Its open-source encryption makes it the gold standard for secure, free sexting.

• Lovense Remote: Added as our top choice for "Group Sexting." It remains the best interactive option for couples and polyamorous groups to sync Bluetooth toys across long distances.

• FetLife: Expanded our analysis of its custom community groups, cementing its spot as the best social network for exploring niche kinks safely.

Why some popular sexting apps didn't make the cut

You've probably seen other "best of" lists recommending apps and platforms that I've intentionally left off. My goal is to recommend secure spaces where you can build genuine, mutual connections without burning through cash or risking your digital privacy.

Here's why a few common names didn't make the cut this month:

• "Paid Operator" platforms (InstaBang, Arousr, SextLocal): Many web-based platforms marketed for fast sexting don't connect you with real local users. Instead, they hire paid "chat operators" who use fantasy scripts specifically designed to keep you replying and draining your wallet per message. While there is a market for paid fantasy, I don't consider it mutual sexting. This guide prioritizes authentic, user-to-user interaction (with the explicit exception of SextPanther, which uses clearly verified, real adult performers).

• Basic Couples Messengers (Between, Paid Vaults): While apps like Between offer private spaces for long-distance couples, they lack the specific, sex-positive interactive features (like integrated toy controls, screenshot blocks, or custom timer countdowns) that make digital foreplay fun. If you want to level up your intimacy, highly interactive platforms like We-Vibe and Lovense are much better options.

How to watch the World Series for free: Free trial Fox One Free 3-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal Free trial YouTube TV Sports + News plan Free 10-day trial, then $49.99/month for your first 5 months Get Deal Free trial Fubo Sports Free 5-day trial, then $63.99/month for your first month Get Deal FREE TRIAL Hulu + Live TV free 3-day trial, then $49.99/month for your first month (save $40) Get Deal FREE TRIAL DirecTV Stream free 5-day trial, then starting at $59.99/month Get Deal

The stage is set. The Milwaukee Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series, following their ALCS Game 6 win against the Cleveland Guardians. The Brewers have yet to win a World Series, only making one appearance in 1982 and losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Rays have appeared twice in the World Series (2008 and 2020), and have yet to secure the victory. Whichever team you're rooting for, it's sure to be a dramatic week (or more) of games. And either outcome will result in history being made.

Lucky for baseball fans, watching the postseason in 2026 is a whole lot easier than watching regular-season games. You can even watch for free with some strategic planning. We've rounded up the best ways to watch the World Series for free below. Let's play ball.

When is the 2026 World Series?

The 2026 World Series schedule is as follows:

• Game 1 — Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 2 — Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 3 — Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 4 — Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 5 (if necessary) — Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 6 (if necessary) — Friday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 7 (if necessary) — Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

What channel will the 2026 World Series be on?

The World Series has exclusively aired on Fox since the early 2000s, and this year is no different. You can watch the games play out live on your local Fox network if you have cable.

Can I watch the World Series without cable?

You have a couple of different options to access Fox in 2026 without cable: a digital antenna, a Fox One subscription, or a cable replacement service. Each option has its pros and cons, of course, so we'll leave it up to you to decide what's best for your situation.

A digital antenna is a relatively cheap (generally between $25 and $40) way to gain access to your local TV stations, but you need to be within a certain radius of the stations themselves and free of obstructions in order to get a clear broadcast. Fox One subscriptions give you access to not only your local Fox station, but the entirety of the Fox TV portfolio. It's a great choice for sports fans in general, but it might be overkill if you just want access to your local station for the World Series.

Finally, a cable replacement service (like YouTube TV or DirecTV) gives you access to 100+ live TV channels, including Fox. If you want a long-term way to watch live broadcasts, these are pretty well-rounded options that still cost less than cable. But that definitely doesn't mean they're cheap.

How to watch the World Series for free in 2026

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can watch the World Series (or at least a big chunk of it) without paying a cent. Two words: free trials. Not only does Fox One offer a free trial to new subscribers, but YouTube TV and Fubo do as well. If you've never subscribed to those services and you plan your trials strategically, you'll be able to watch the World Series for free — even if it goes to Game 7. If you don't qualify for any of the free trial options, we recommend either signing up for Fox One for one month at $19.99 or grabbing yourself a digital antenna.

Fox One: 3-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One free 3-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal

Fox One, the new direct-to-consumer streaming service from Fox, gives subscribers access to the entire Fox TV portfolio. That includes your local Fox station live, as well as Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Weather, FS1, FS2, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network (B1G), Fox Network, and Fox Nation. Basically, if it's on Fox, it's on Fox One. A subscription costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year, but new subscribers can kick things off with a free trial that lasts for three days. You'll at least be able to watch two (maybe three) games with this trial period.

YouTube TV: 10-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV Sports + News plan free 10-day trial, then $49.99/month for 5 months (save $110) Get Deal

YouTube TV is a comprehensive cable replacement service with over 100 live TV channels, unlimited DVR, and customizable add-ons. It's definitely overkill if you're just looking to watch your local Fox station for the World Series, but it holds a lot of value if you want to watch live TV long-term. You can try out the Sports + News plan for 10 days with a free trial if you're new to YouTube TV, which would give you the ability to watch the entire World Series for free. Just beware: if you forget to cancel, you'll be charged $49.99/month (for your first five months) and $71.99/month thereafter.

Fubo: 5-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo Sports free 5-day trial, then $45.99 for 1 month (save $10) Get Deal

Like YouTube TV, Fubo offers TV lovers a cable replacement with tons of live channels. It also offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers, giving you the ability to watch most of the World Series for free. There are three different tiers you can choose from: Pro, Elite, and Elite with Sports Plus. All three plans include Fox. As the most affordable option, the Pro tier offers 228 channels and will run you $63.99 for your first month, should you forget to cancel.

More free trial options:

• Fox One (Prime Video add-on) — free 3-day trial, then $19.99/month

• Hulu + Live TV — free 3-day trial, then $49.99/month for your first month

• DirecTV Stream — free 5-day trial, then starting at $59.99/month

With the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max now available and the iPhone Duo launch just around the corner (our full iPhone Duo review is online), Apple is also prepping its latest iOS update for its mobile devices.

Along with various bug fixes, the new iOS 27.2 is also going to be packed with new features as well. The update is expected to launch before the end of October; it could come any minute now.

Here are the biggest new features headed your way in iOS 27.2.

Dual Capture for group FaceTime calls

Dual Capture allows users with compatible iPhone models to capture a video simultaneously with both their rear main camera and selfie camera. Dual Capture for FaceTime allows users to utilize both the front and rear camera when on a FaceTime video call, but this feature only works with a call with an individual person.

Now, 9to5Mac reports that with iOS 27.2, users will be able to utilize Dual Capture when on Group FaceTime calls, too.

Redesigned Health app

Apple showed off the new Health app at its September event when it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Duo. It will finally arrive with the rollout of iOS 27.2, per MacRumors.

The redesigned Health app is now organized into three main tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Insights includes vitals, heart rate, and other related current health information, whereas the Longevity tab includes your health data over a period of time.

Suggestions in Messages

Messages is getting a new feature that offers suggestions based on the context of a conversation in your texts. For example, if a contact texts you about a date for an event, Suggestions will provide one-tap options to add that event to your calendar or set up a reminder. 9to5 Mac reports this feature will finally arrive on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence with iOS 27.2

With this feature, Messages can also help users find photos, locations, contacts, and other pertinent information as it relates to the context of the conversation.

Interestingly, Suggestions was included in the original iOS 27 beta, but was later pulled, according to 9to5Mac. This is also a case of Apple playing catch-up, as Galaxy and Pixel phones already have this AI feature (it's called Magic Cue on Pixel phones and Now Nudge on Galaxy phones).

SEE ALSO: The best smartphones of 2026: Compare Apple, Galaxy, and Pixel's best Revamped 'Up Next' in Apple Podcasts

Apple is splitting up the "Up Next" section in Apple Podcasts into two different sections, according to MacRumors.

New Episodes will appear where Up Next is currently, and show users the latest episodes for the podcasts that they subscribe to. Continue Playing is a brand new section that will appear below New Episodes and will display all episodes in the queue that the user was listening to. 

Anniversaries via Call Context

This isn't a huge new feature, but it could be a fun one. If you have an anniversary set up with someone in your Contacts, the new Call Context feature will remind you of this fact if that contact calls you at that time. You can see this feature in action at MacRumors.

Profiles on Apple TV app

It's incredible that it took this long for this to happen, but the Apple TV app on iOS will now support user profiles. (We're also expecting Apple to release a new Apple TV device in early October.)

Apple TV viewers on tvOS have long been able to create separate user profiles, which include different movie and TV show suggestions based on the user's watch history. This same ability did not exist on iPhone until now, with the upcoming release of iOS 27.2, also per MacRumors.

New Home app alerts This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Apple is all set to launch some new smart home products this fall, including the brand new HomeView smart speaker. The Apple Home app will be critical to managing these new devices, and so it's no surprise that some updates are coming. In addition to new products, Apple is also giving the Home app in iOS 27.2 a couple of new functions to help keep your home safe and in order.

First is "Lock After Closing," a new feature that, well, automatically locks a door after it's been closed but not locked. You can set a specific duration of time that needs to pass before the door automatically locks, and it's supported by products like the LG Smart Deadbolt Lock.

Similarly, "Door Left Open" is an alert that automatically notifies users when a door equipped with a compatible smart lock has been left open for too long. If you want to make sure every door in your house is closed when they should be closed, iOS 27.2 has your back.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you weren't able to snag tickets to see Pokémon's sold-out 30th-anniversary EDM spectacle live in LA, you don't have to miss out on the party.

Pokémon Night Out is available to watch for free online on Oct. 24. Headlined by Marshmello with support from Alison Wonderland, the event promises to unite "the eclectic world of Pokémon with high-energy electronic dance music for a truly unforgettable evening" at the Intuit Dome.

When is Pokémon Night Out?

The 2026 Pokémon Night Out starts at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 24. This special event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

How to watch Pokémon Night Out for free

You can tune into the official livestream across two major platforms for free:

• Twitch: Stream live on the official Pokémon Twitch Channel

• YouTube: Stream live on the official Pokémon YouTube Channel

Livestream viewers will be treated to a DJ set from electronic artist and multi-instrumentalist JVNA during the intermission. This set is exclusive to the Pokémon Night Out livestream.

We've linked the YouTube stream above, but you should know that if you watch the concert on Twitch for at least 30 minutes with your Pokémon Trainer Central account linked, you'll automatically earn an exclusive Pokémon Night Out Baseball Jersey code for your Pokémon GO avatar.

Watching Pokémon Night Out on YouTube or Twitch costs absolutely nothing. It's the perfect Saturday night activity for Pokémon fans all around the world.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to AcePDF Converter & Editor for just $23.97 (reg. $99.99) through Oct. 25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $23.97
$99.99 Save $76.02   Get Deal

A PDF might look like a finished document, but that doesn’t mean you’re finished working on it. An AcePDF Converter & Editor lifetime license is just $23.97 (reg. $99.99) through Oct. 25, giving you a versatile set of PDF tools for one payment.

Whether you’re updating a report, organizing paperwork, or converting documents for a project, AcePDF brings the essentials together in one program.

You can convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, text, JPG, and PNG files while preserving the original layout, images, and hyperlinks. It also works in reverse, turning Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images into PDFs.

Have several files to process? Batch conversion helps you handle multiple documents without repeating the same steps.

AcePDF also includes optical character recognition (OCR), which extracts text from scanned documents, allowing you to edit content that would otherwise be locked inside an image.

Beyond conversion, you can merge PDFs, split documents, rearrange pages, rotate content, and remove pages you no longer need.

There are also tools for building and filling interactive forms, adding annotations, inserting watermarks, and extracting images.

For everyday document management, AcePDF lets you compress oversized PDFs, password-protect sensitive files, and unlock password-protected documents with the correct password.

With a lifetime license that covers Mac and Windows, you can keep using the included tools without recurring subscription payments. Get an AcePDF Converter & Editor lifetime license for $23.97 (reg. $99.99) through Oct. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Klara and the Sun is a disaster of a movie, though on paper it was promising.

The film's source material is Kazuo Ishiguro's popular sci-fi novel. Its content taps into the emerging conversation around artificial intelligence, as the titular Klara is an Artificial Friend, designed to be the perfect companion for a lonely teen. In the lead role is rising star Jenna Ortega, who aims to show range from her hardened Scream character and devotedly monotone Wednesday by playing a smiley robot who's scorned for being "too empathetic."

Joining her are celebrated actresses like Amy Adams and Natasha Lyonne. And at the helm is Taika Waititi, who previously adapted Barry Crump's book Wild Pork and Watercress into the beloved coming-of-age action comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. However, it's been 10 years since Waititi gifted audiences with the winsome and weird tale of "bad egg" Ricky Baker.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Since then, Waititi earned mixed reviews for Jojo Rabbit, his adaptation of Christine Leunens' Caging Skies in which he cast himself as Adolf Hitler. Following the fun of Thor: Ragnarok came the blunder of Thor: Love and Thunder. And most recently, Waititi took the inspirational soccer documentary Next Goal Wins and turned it into an awful sports comedy of the same name.

SEE ALSO: 'Next Goal Wins' review: Taika Waititi fails hard at team comedy

Going from What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople to Next Goal Wins was a warning that Waititi had lost the spark that made him an exciting filmmaker. Klara and the Sun confirms the spark is gone.

What is Klara and The Sun about? Mia Tharia and Jenna Ortega star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

Post-World War III and post-internet, AI Friends are the must-have accessory for any wealthy household. Among a gaggle of older models, Klara is considered an oddity because she prays to the sun and stands "like a flamingo" with one leg raised. If someone doesn't buy her soon, she'll be sent back to the factory and scrapped for parts. So, when a gloomy teen named Josie (Mia Tharia) chooses her, Klara declares she's been saved from "certain doom."

Far away from the soot-covered city where the Artificial Friends store sits, Josie lives amid wheat fields in a big house, overdecorated by her smothering mother Chrissie (Amy Adams), who works tirelessly as an interior designer. It's a house full of things, but frozen in mourning. Years before, Josie's older sister Sal died, and then her father left, leaving her and her mother to stare at each other for years of failed connection. Thrust into this dynamic, Klara is a polarizing presence.

Josie is happy to have a friend devoted to hearing her out, as her mother is constantly criticizing or away at work. For Chrissie, Klara is meant to be a baby monitor who can watch over Josie. But why does Josie need watching over? Well, neither Chrissie nor her fiercely protective maid Melania (recurring Waititi collaborator Rachel House) will explain that to Klara, even as medicines are hooked up via IV and Josie begins experiencing violent fits.

As Klara tried to calibrate her surroundings and do her best by Josie, she meets new friends, like Josie's robo-curious crush Rick (Aran Murphy) and a scarecrow robot called Scarecrow (Jesse Griffin in a Rhys Darby-coded role). But most of all, when in doubt, Klara talks to the sun, convinced it is a benevolent god who has the power to heal her sickly human friend.

Klara and the Sun is a movie for no one. Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

The premise sounds like a children's story at first, where a child-like robot learns from the world, even when it's cruel. (See also Steven Spielberg's AI.) However, as the contemporary conversation of AI is getting heated, with parents worrying about the negative affect chatbots can have on their children's mental health, Klara and the Sun feels achingly dated, presenting Klara as a wholesome, sentient servant, devoted purely to making her owner happy and healthy.

Beyond that, Waititi's approach to Ishiguro's novel is confounding. The first act is set in the AF store where a kindly manager (Natasha Lyonne) reads bedtime stories to her robot wards. Here, Klara seems eccentric in the way of Roald Dahl's Matilda, with an earnest curiosity and plucky resilience. With simple diction and a hiking outfit that recalls Dora the Explorer, Ortega's character seems suitable for a children's movie. But soon, Waititi's screenplay, co-written with Dahvi Waller, injects darker elements, including violence, blood, death, arson, and suicide.

Of course, Tim Burton has touched on those elements in spooky movies and in Wednesday, which families watch together. But I can't imagine families will be tempted to sit down in such a way for Klara and the Sun. It's not irreverently funny like Beetlejuice, whimsical like Edward Scissorhands, or fun amid its darkness. It's dreadful, bland, and mean. Klara is repeatedly called an "idiot," while the humans around her are thinly sketched scoundrels who lie, seethe, shout, and make selfish demands. Even the kindly store manager is cruel, locking Klara in a dark closet, away from the sun, which — as she is solar-powered — is tantamount to starving her.

In Matilda, there is abundant cruelty around its eponymous heroine, but there is also a beacon of hope in Miss Honey. Klara and the Sun has no Miss Honey, only Josie, who is caricature of an angsty teenager, fitfully sarcastic, cheerful, and sulky. Tharia is resigned to brooding silently as plot happens around her. With such flimsy roles, all of the actors struggle. Lyonne is amusing, but one note. Even six-time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams can't bring depth to Waititi's charmless movie.

Klara and the Sun is a story of faith with no soul. Jenna Ortega and Natasha Lyonne star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

In a world full of fears and pain, Klara looks unblinkingly to the sun. She prays, goes on a pilgrimage, and even offers a sacrifice in hopes her god will answer her plea to fix Josie. But Waititi's vision shows no belief in her convictions. Sure, Ortega brings a bright smile to the role, but she seems unmoored in this clumsily constructed world that doesn't reflect her whimsy — even though the film is told from Klara's perspective.

Waititi's color palette is muted by an overcast of sickly yellow/green, which makes the whole world reminiscent of the glum, genderless uniform the AFs wear upon purchase. The costumes across the board are ghastly. Josie dresses haphazardly, with nothing worth noting. Adams is wedged into drab dresses that work against her curves and natural beauty, while Klara is eventually slapped into a '80s soccer mom look, with high-waisted jeans and an asymmetrical jersey. The whimsy Ortega offers in her performance is swallowed by such bland choices, and mocked by a bob that is clunkily cut to look like Temu Amélie.

Bizarrely, the most interesting fashion choices come in a second-act sequence where Josie meets her soon-to-be schoolmates. All rich, entitled, and vicious, these teens are all dressed in garish textures, vibrant colors, and/or outrageous silhouettes meant to suggest they're wealthy and shallow. A curious choice from a filmmaker who has attended the Met Gala.

Otherwise, the score by Michael Giacchino is cloyingly sentimental, desperately flagging to the audience a scene is meant to be moving when even on the page it must have been flat. For instance, Waititi and Waller set up that Josie might be jealous of Klara. But rather than a moving scene of conflict, they dodge it twice, including a disturbing revelation sequence that should hit harder.

Simply put, Waititi utterly fails to adapt this book into a compelling movie. His screenplay is childish and plodding. His visual storytelling is lackluster and baffling. His leading lady throws herself into physical comedy and a taboo topic to show her range. But Waititi's direction makes Ortega look like she's auditioning for a Disney Channel TV movie from the early '90s.

The best Ortega's fans can do for her is to politely look away and forget Klara and the Sun ever happened.

Klara and the Sun opens in theaters on Oct. 23.

TL;DR: Get five years of AdGuard VPN on up to 10 devices for $34.97 (reg. $359.40) through Nov. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Year Subscription $34.97
$359.40 Save $324.43   Get Deal

Most VPN’s require a monthly fee that only seems affordable if you don’t do the math. Even paying a few dollars every month can end up costing you hundreds over the course of your whole subscription. If you want a cheaper option, AdGuard VPN just dropped a five-year subscription on sale for $34.97 (reg. $359.40).

This subscription lets you connect up to 10 devices at the same time, enough for a whole family. A household can put phones, laptops, tablets, and a few more devices on the same account instead of buying separate plans for each person. Everyone signs in under one subscription, so there’s only one account to keep track of for all five years.

AdGuard VPN has servers in more than 70 locations around the world. Picking a location in another country lets you browse from that region, and the plan includes access to every location. Data is unlimited, so streaming and large downloads don’t run into a monthly cap. Anyone who has used a cheap VPN knows how frustrating that can be.

Connections run on AdGuard’s own VPN protocol, made for faster and more secure connections than standard setups. A zero-logging policy keeps your personal data from being collected, and no records of your traffic are stored. AdGuard also makes the AdGuard ad blocker, and the VPN comes from that same privacy-focused team.

Pay once for five years of VPN coverage on every device in the house. Through Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN on sale for $34.97 (reg. $359.40).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

16. The New Stanford Prison Experiment

If you thought Netflix recreating Squid Game was a new low for reality series totally missing the point, I raise you its new unscripted series, The New Stanford Prison Experiment. The show recreates Philip Zimbardo's controversial study, in which subjects were randomly assigned inmate and guard roles in a fake prison, to examine power dynamics. The New Stanford Prison Experiment's executive producer Jane Lipsitz insists this series comes with "different safeguards," but ultimately, Netflix is still repackaging an infamous study for entertainment. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The New Stanford Prison Experiment is now streaming on Netflix.

15. By Any Means

Directed by Elegance Bratton, the drama draws on true events to expose anti-Black racism in the American South in the 1960s. In the lead role, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Special FBI Agent Wayne Strider, a Black G-man who's investigating the murder of civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer (Giancarlo Esposito). Mark Wahlberg, who also produces, co-stars as Gregory Scarpa, a mafia hitman called in to be muscle for the feds.

However, this movie takes major leaps in imagination, making By Any Means feel more like Mississippi Burning meets Green Book. As I wrote in my review, "By Any Means becomes a kind of buddy-cop movie, where Strider is the by-the-books hero, and Scarpa is the scrappy, no-rules, no-fucks-given man of action... [but offers] a muddied message about the place of violence in seeking justice." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Beharie, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, and Giancarlo Esposito

How to watch: By Any Means is now available on digital.

14. The Terminal List, Season 2

Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) is back and just as growly as ever in The Terminal List Season 2 — the next chapter in David DiGilio's thriller about a lieutenant commander going rogue to protect his family. The good news? The president is apparently willing to give him a full pardon for everything if he works with his old colleagues to track down the people behind a series of terror attacks. Expect a lot of action, and not much smiling in this adaptation of Jack Carr's series of novels. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Chris Pratt, Constance Wu, Taylor Kitsch, Riley Keough, Arlo Mertz, and Jeanne Tripplehorn

How to watch: The Terminal List Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.

13. The Cycle

Co-written and directed by Jordan Downey, this movie weaves a particular horror subgenre into a crime thriller narrative. True Blood's Deborah Ann Woll stars as Meg, a forensic anthropologist who studies corpses for a living. But her past comes back to haunt her when her long lost father's remains turn up at a murder scene.

The facts of the case don't fit. So, Meg teams with the local police to try to make sense of the impossible. Along the way, she'll face dark secrets and horrific truths, leading to a climax that's a real howler. — K.P.

Starring: Deborah Ann Woll, Jeffrey Donovan, Gretchen Corbett, Phillip Andre Botello, and Will Hochman

How to watch: The Cycle debuts on Shudder on Oct. 23.

12. Moana (2026)

Disney continues to make live-action movies based on their beloved animated films with Moana. And this is certainly one of Disney's cash-grabbing remakes.

In my review, I wrote, "Aside from my general grievance about the lack of innovation in Disney's menagerie of live-action remakes, Moana has a strangely false quality to it. The cast — led by 19-year-old Catherine Laga'aia — gives performances that feel straight out of a Disney Channel show. They're bouncy and broad in a way that made me expect the cheer of a pre-recorded studio audience to break in."

While director Thomas Kail and his ensemble aim to recreate the original film with care, the artifice of CGI backdrops and Dwayne Johnson's eyesore of a Maui costume is ruinous. "The result is a film that misses the point of its protagonist's journey. Rather than going somewhere new, Kail and company avoid discovery, opting instead to approximate popular IP. And in that way, it feels like AI. It does not feel like an earnest, human expression, but rather a shallow approximation that might have the general look but misses the soul of the original work."* — K.P.

Starring: Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen

How to watch: Moana (2026) is now streaming on Disney+.

11. Lupin, Season 4

French mystery thriller Lupin returns for Season 4, meaning gentleman thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is back to steal our hearts (and our diamonds). There's just one problem: Assane is still in prison following the events of Season 3, and he wants nothing more than to serve out his sentence, then reunite with his family in Senegal. However, when a Lupin copycat begins pulling off museum heists and pinning the blame on the still-imprisoned Assane, he'll have to engineer a daring escape of his own in order to clear his name. — B.E.

Starring: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella, and Etan Simon

How to watch: Lupin Season 4 debuts on Netflix on Oct. 23.

10. Junk

An impressive cast combines with an intriguing premise in Junk, which follows two different storylines in the same city: a bitter TV writer (David Schwimmer) trying to get his career back on track, and two teenagers (Dominic Fike and Talia Ryder) on the hunt for a stolen backpack. Music video director Jack Begert's feature-length debut looks like a dark and comedic mishmash of sex, drugs and violence — but the reviews leave something to be desired. — S.H.

Starring: Dominic Fike, David Schwimmer, Talia Ryder, and Gaby Hoffmann 

How to watch: Junk debuts on Mubi on Oct. 23.

9. Swipe Right on the Devil

There's plenty of documentaries about online dating gone wrong. Swipe Right on the Devil is alarmingly more twisted than most. It begins with 24-year-old Sydney Loofe, a Nebraska woman looking for her match on Tinder. What she found was a catfisher who lured her into a deadly game of sex, deception, and self-proclaimed witches.

In this three-part documentary, Loofe's friends and family remember her alongside their quest to find her. Then, as the missing persons investigation moves into a murder trial, director Brian Biegel speaks with investigators, the press, attorneys, and other victims who share their stories of trauma and terror. Be warned, this one is disturbing. — K.P.

How to watch: Swipe Right on the Devil is now streaming on Hulu.

8. The Invite

As the follow-up to Don't Worry Darling, actor/director Olivia Wilde offers an English-language remake of the Spanish comedy The People Upstairs.

Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, The Invite stars Wilde and Seth Rogen as a married couple with a kid, a great apartment, and no patience left for each other. So, when the hot couple from upstairs (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) come down for an adults-only dinner, sparks fly, as does a spicy invite.

In my review, I cheered, "I was enchanted by The Invite. McCormack and Jones' screenplay is smartly written, bringing emotional depth to all four lovers, while solidly establishing the relatable frustrations of long-term relationships. Wilde's direction is deceptively simple in its aesthetic, favoring cinematography that allows us to spy without the discomfort of voyeurism. This keeps the tone light even as the talk turns dirty. And with an ensemble that's totally game to embrace the silly, sexy, and subversive, The Invite is ruthlessly entertaining."* — K.P.

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton

How to watch: The Invite debuts on HBO Max on Oct. 23.

7. I Want Your Sex

Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman heat up the screen in Gregg Araki's buzzy erotic comedy I Want Your Sex, now on digital. Hoffman plays Elliot, an assistant to Wilde's famed artist Erika Tracy. When Erika initiates a BDSM relationship with Elliot, he'll reconsider everything he thought he knew about sex and his own relationships.

On top of bringing Erika and Elliot's kinky fantasies to life, I Want Your Sex also probes generational differences when it comes to sex, sparking conversations about whether Gen Z is actually repressed. The result is, as Mashable's Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "an exuberantly entertaining comedy, alive with sexual vigor, earnest humanity, and biting humor."* — B.E.

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Daveed Diggs, and Charli XCX

How to watch: I Want Your Sex is now available on digital.

6. Nobody Wants This, Season 3

Netflix's Emmy–nominated rom-com Nobody Wants This returns with its third season this week, which sees its central pairing of Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) taking a big next step in their relationship. They're moving in together! With that move comes further stability and commitment for both of them, so expect an October binge full of butterflies. — B.E.

Starring: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, and Jackie Tohn

How to watch: Nobody Wants This Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Return to Night City in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, the next installment in CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger's award-winning anime. This season boosts a new art style and a whole new crew of characters, but for Mashable's Digital Culture Editor Crystal Bell, all that novelty works in the show's favor. As she wrote in her review, "Edgerunners 2 doesn't just live up to its predecessor. In some ways, I think it surpasses it." — B.E.

SEE ALSO: 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2' review: A beautiful reminder of what makes us human

Starring: Valeria Rodriguez, Kimoy Lee, Cesili Williams, Daniel Wu, Brittany Lauda, and E.G. Daily

How to watch: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Adam Conover: Big Divorce Energy

Comedian Adam Conover spent three seasons educating audiences with Adam Ruins Everything. Now, he's back, dropping the cheeky wise-guy act and getting personal with his new comedy special Big Divorce Energy.

Far from a bitter look at the end of his long-term relationship, Conover explores how this big change has affected his sex life, his identity, and his politics. The special is one that is jolting, funny, and still educational. For more from Conover, look for Mashable's upcoming episode of Say More. — K.P.

Starring: Adam Conover

How to watch: Adam Conover: Big Divorce Energy debuts on YouTube on Oct. 23.

3. Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

If you don't know the name Maria Bamford, chances are good you've heard her work. Outside of being a stellar stand-up comedian who uses funny voices and powerful punchlines to bring light to dark topics, she's a prolific voice actor who's worked on Futurama, Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Harley Quinn, and many, many more.

SEE ALSO: Dropout's 'Game Changer' finale: Sam Reich reveals the secrets of 'Last Talent Standing'

This documentary, however, is more in line with her stand-up, which has long dealt with her mental health journey with brilliant humor and insight. Directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story charts the course of Bamford's childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, to her discovery of stand-up in college, chasing her dream of comedy to Los Angeles, and beyond.*

For more from Bamford, look for Mashable's new episode of Say More. — K.P.

Starring: Maria Bamford

How to watch: Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story debuts on Netflix on Oct. 23.

2. Yaga

Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams returns to our TVs this week in Canadian series Yaga, based on the play of the same name by Kat Sandler. The series follows private investigator Rapp (Noah Reid) and small-town detective Carson (Clark Backo) as they look into the disappearance of Henry Park (Williams), a billionaire heir. Along the way, they'll cross paths with an enigmatic professor (Carrie-Anne Moss) and a series of eerie visions and rituals that suggest that Henry's disappearance may have something to do with the occult.

Presented as a dark feminist fable rooted in Slavic folklore, Yaga should be a slam dunk. I mean, look at that cast! Yet the show's witchy mystery falls disappointingly flat. As I wrote in my review, "As an examination of witchcraft as a conduit for female rage, it's not angry enough. As an erotic thriller, it's not titillating enough. As a mystery, its twists and turns are intriguing, but never quite captivating. The ingredients for success are there, but they never quite come together to cast the right spell." — B.E.

Starring: Noah Reid, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hudson Williams, Clark Backo, Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, Hiro Kanagawa, Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal

How to watch: Yaga's first two episodes premiere Oct. 23 on AMC+, with new episodes weekly.

Best of streaming this week: Phony

What would you do if your mom got replaced by a doppelgänger, but only you could tell? That's the dilemma facing high schooler Sonny (Sam Nivola) in Hulu's new series Phony. After Sonny gets in a car crash, he wakes up in the hospital to find that his mother Ellen (Connie Britton) has been swapped with an impostor (Britton in subtly transformative prosthetics).

As Sonny tries to find out what, exactly, happened to his mother, Phony constructs an engaging mystery that ranges from unsettling to downright creepy. Through all that, it manages to keep a funny streak thanks to its delightful ensemble of high school characters who feel authentic and lived-in. With its first two episodes out today, Phony has all the makings of your next fall mystery obsession. — B.E.

Starring: Connie Britton, Sam Nivola, Meera Syal, Grace Brennan, Mahaela Park, Maliq Johnson, and Colter Lee

How to watch: The first two episodes of Phony is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes every Tuesday.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 22, the Dyson V15 Detect Origin Cordless Vacuum is on sale for $589.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount and the best-ever price on one of Dyson's highest-performing vacuums.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect Origin $589.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon

If you think vacuuming is an endless chore, wait until you get your hands on a high-powered Dyson.

The Dyson V15 Detect Origin just dropped from its regular $839.99 list price down to $589.99 at Amazon. That 30% discount slashes $250 off this cordless vacuum, bringing it down to its absolute best price ever.

In her guide to the best Dyson vacuums for 2026, Mashable's Leah Stodart named the V15 Detect the best mid-size Dyson vacuum, noting that while it changed the game when it dropped in 2021 as the first model with a dust-detecting laser, "it's still one of the best Dyson vacuums for balancing power and price." Leah points out that its suction power (topping 200 air watts) comes surprisingly close to the $1,149.99 Gen5outsize — which tops it by just 10 AW — while costing hundreds less.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday Dyson deals to shop right now

She also notes it's "much tougher on pet hair than the V12 Detect Slim" and features a slightly larger dustbin that keeps up with heavy shedding without being "too bulky to clean ceilings or blinds with one hand." You also get two advanced cleaner heads: the Fluffy Optic head uses a precise green light to make invisible dust on hardwood floors look like an absolute horror movie, while the Digital Motorbar head deep-cleans area rugs and actively detangles hair off the roller as you sweep.

Plus, an internal sensor intelligently adapts suction based on debris levels and floor type, while an onboard LCD screen breaks down picked-up particles in real-time and displays remaining runtime right down to the second. Leah even shared that her mom has owned the V15 Detect for five years of near-daily use and "it's still kicking" — proving it's a true workhorse.

Grab the Dyson V15 Detect Origin on Amazon at its record-low price before stock sells out.

TL;DR: The Xbox Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Keepsake Ornament is available for $27.99 at Amazon. It features light-up effects and plays the iconic Xbox startup sound and Halo 2 guitar riff.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hallmark / Xbox Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Ornament $27.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Trading boring glittery snowflakes for a translucent green homage to Microsoft's peak gaming era is easily the best holiday upgrade you can give your tree.

The Xbox Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Keepsake Ornament brings Microsoft’s iconic limited-edition hardware straight to your Christmas tree for $27.99, letting you relive all those endless hours spent parked in front of the TV battling the Covenant on original hardware.

This Amazon-exclusive miniature looks like it was shrunk down straight from the classic 2004 bundle. Styled in translucent green plastic, it measures roughly 3.5 inches wide and features the "Halo Special Edition" text on the front face. It comes complete with a tiny wired "Duke" controller resting on top of the console, giving your tree an instant dose of retro LAN party vibes without pulling down heavy branches.

SEE ALSO: GameSir drops officially licensed Fortnite controllers for iPhone, Android, and Xbox — where to buy

It’s not your ordinary ornament, so it does way more than just sit there looking fancy. Hitting the tiny power button on the front illuminates the console and triggers the original Xbox boot-up chime alongside the roaring guitar riffs from the Halo 2 "Mjolnir Mix" theme. It instantly transports you back to screen-cheating during split-screen multiplayer matches or grinding through legendary campaign runs.

Hallmark also includes the gift box and all three replaceable LR44 button batteries, so you can test the startup sounds before hanging it on a branch. Whether you're building out a full gaming tree alongside Hallmark's classic black original Xbox, PS1, and Zelda ornaments, or just snagging a piece of gaming history, this translucent green keepsake hits every single nostalgia node.

Grab an Xbox Halo Ornament at Amazon to add a touch of your personal favorite gaming nostalgia to the tree this year.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $59.99 at Amazon. Due to high demand, shoppers need to request an invite to buy.

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

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box preorders first dropped for $89.99 at Amazon. We've then been stuck at $159.99 for some time, but now Amazon has dropped a stunning discount.

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is currently listed for just $59.99 on Amazon, with shipping and sales handled directly by Amazon. Demand for the product remains high, so Amazon is still routing orders through its "request invite" system.

At $59.99, Amazon’s price is way under TCGplayer’s $120 market price. We expect the deal to sell like wild, so we suggest that anyone interested should request an invite to buy immediately. Seriously, do not delay. This deal could disappear at any time.

The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box offers 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 just $59.99 at Amazon.

TL;DR: The new Apple iPhone Duo is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To qualify for this preorder deal, you need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone Duo for $1,000 off   Shop Now

The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max had a big impact, but the iPhone Duo's drop has resulted in absolute chaos. It's Apple's first-ever foldable phone — what did you expect?

Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone Duo for Mashable, writing that it's the "first choice for Apple customers looking for a cool new phone."

Preorders for the Apple iPhone Duo are officially live, and T-Mobile is coming out of the gate with one of its biggest carrier promotions of the year.

Right now, T-Mobile is offering up to $1,000 off the Apple iPhone Duo via 36 monthly bill credits when you switch and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan. You are still required to cover local sales tax on the phone's full pre-credit retail value upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile's standard $35 device connection fee.

The $1,000 discount is distributed as 36 monthly bill credits. If you decide to cancel your service, downgrade your plan, or switch carriers before three years have passed, the remaining hardware balance becomes due immediately. But if you are already planning to stick with T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited plan for the long haul, taking $1,000 off Apple's iPhone Duo is a massive win for your tech budget ahead of Black Friday.

Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Carrier deals like this might be your best chance to score the iPhone Duo. Preorders for the iPhone Duo opened last week, and the phone sold out moments later. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth tried to get his hands on the new phone, but missed the "blink-and-you'll-miss-it window."

TL;DR: Get ChatPlayground AI Lifetime Unlimited Plan for $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25 and compare multiple models for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $59.97
$619 Save $559.03   Get Deal

We all know the modern AI drill. ChatGPT has an answer. Claude has another. Gemini might approach the same question differently.

Instead of bouncing between tabs to compare them, ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan puts 20+ AI models in one dashboard for $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25.

Enter one prompt, compare responses from multiple AI models side by side, and choose the answer that works best for your project.

ChatPlayground brings together popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, and Perplexity. Whether you’re drafting content, researching ideas, troubleshooting code, or experimenting with prompts, you can see how different models tackle the same request. That’s particularly useful when you want a second opinion without having to restart the entire conversation in another app.

Beyond chatting, ChatPlayground includes prompt engineering tools to help refine your questions and improve results. You can also upload PDFs and images to ask questions about their contents, generate AI images, and save conversations for future reference.

For writers, developers, marketers, and small teams, those features can make it easier to organize ongoing projects and explore different approaches.

The Unlimited Plan includes unlimited monthly messages, subject to a fair use policy, along with priority customer support and priority access to new features and future models.

Keep in mind that the available AI models and features can change as the technology evolves. Get a lifetime of the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for just $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Overgrown.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MOSSY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Burger.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PATTY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Stale.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 22, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TRITE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Capable.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ABLED

Final Hurdle hint

Suppress.

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

QUELL

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who are fans of the New York Giants

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.

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 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.

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: 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: Stadium crew

• Green: Football QBs

• Blue: Actions during a pass play

• Purple: Sounds like an NBA player

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Workers at a Stadium

• Green: Giants QBs, Past and Present

• Blue: Pass___

• Purple: Ends in an NBA MVP

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 #759 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Workers at a Stadium: GROUNDSKEEPER, MASCOT, SECURITY GUARD, USHER

• Giants QBs, Past and Present: DART, MANNING, SIMMS, TITTLE

• Pass___: BREAKUP, INTERFERENCE, PROTECTION, RUSH

• Ends in an NBA MVP: BOOBIRD, DESERVING, GNASH, SCURRY

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 22, 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 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

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

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

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

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

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

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