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SAVE $1,200: The 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Arc curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $1,499.99, down from the list price of $2,699.99. That's a 44% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Arc curved gaming monitor $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00 Get Deal

Gaming is one of the best winter hobbies. It provides an enjoyable activity that's both indoors and quite rewarding. We've seen some great games drop in 2025 and if your plan for the next few months is to catch up on missed titles, you might want to take a good look at this deal from Amazon.

As of Sept. 18, the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Arc curved gaming monitor is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $2,699.99. That's a major 44% discount that shaves $1,200 off the normal price. That makes it the lowest we've seen at Amazon. However, there's something to consider before buying.

Today's Amazon deal comes from a third-party seller, Beach Camera. Mashable doesn't usually recommend buying from third-party sellers but since this is a seriously epic deal and Beach Camera has overall positive reviews, we're a lot less concerned about going for it with this sale.

Samsung makes seriously impressive gaming monitors and the Odyssey Arc has some special features. For starters, this 55-inch model is curved which legitimately makes games feel like a whole new world. Today's sale monitor can also swivel on its stand to cockpit mode, making certain games look more real than ever thanks to the 1000R curvature with quantum mini-LED lighting.

SEE ALSO: Get the Samsung Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor for its best-ever price — save $200 at Amazon

The Odyssey Arc can also enter a four-input multi-view mode that allows you to connect and see all four inputs at once. That means you can even hook up a console to play while taking part in PC gaming at the same time. Of course, you're getting nice gaming specs on the Samsung Odyssey Arc like a 165Hz refresh rate, one millisecond GtG, and a matte display that won't cause distracting reflections.

While it's down to a record-low price at Amazon, upgrade your winter gaming station with the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Arc. You'll be saving a massive $1,200 which you can dedicate to other winter hobbies or new games to play on the impressive monitor.

UK-based tech company Nothing is upgrading its flagship earbuds. Now available, the Ear (3) are an upgraded version of the Ear (2). Nothing teased all the features coming to the Ear (3), but we now have the full specs on the buds. They're available for purchase from Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Ear (3) $179 at Amazon
Shop Now

The biggest development to come to the Nothing Ear (3) is the Super Mic, which is housed not in the buds, but in the charging case. The Super Mic is a dual-microphone system that filters ambient sound, cutting out surrounding noise to focus on your voice. And when you're not taking calls, you can record your voice with the Super Mic by pressing the 'Talk' button on the case — you're about to be sending the most crisp voice notes.

The earbuds themselves feature three directional microphones as well as a bone conductive Voice Pick-up Unit. Usually bone conduction is a feature primarily seen in open earbuds, but here they work to pick up vibrations from the jaw and ear canal to pick up your voice when taking calls.

The Ear (3) have Adaptive Noise Cancellation and 12mm dynamic driver mics. They now have 10 hours of battery life, with up to 38 hours of playback with the charging case.

Nothing has a signature transparent design in all of its products, and that remains true for the Ear (3). The earbuds take on an ultra-slim design and feature 100 percent anodised recycled aluminum on the case. This design iteration has smooth curves for better ergonomics as well as the thinnest earbud antenna, measuring the industry limit of .35 mm.

On the new design of the Ear (3), Nothing's Design Director, Adam Bates, said: “With Ear (3), we've evolved our design language by focusing on the fundamentals: the engineering and the experience, resulting in an elevated product that looks and feels different, and functions in ways that are completely new to the industry. The approach to materials and processes, notably the use of anodised aluminum for the case structure and the earbud antenna, have enabled a product which is undoubtedly new, yet unmistakably Nothing."

The Ear (3) are now available for purchase for $179 via Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

The NFL has started with some absolutely fantastic contests, and we've already got an eye on which teams will progress far this season. The Buffalo Bills are looking super strong so far, with two wins from two tough games. Next up they face the 0-2 Miami Dolphins.

If you want to watch Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bills vs. Dolphins?

Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 18. This game takes place at the Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Bills vs. Dolphins for free

Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Bills vs. Dolphins for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Live stream Bills vs. Dolphins for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at IPVanish (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

IPVanish is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• 3,100 servers in 145 locations including Australia

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Bills vs. Dolphins in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

TL;DR: Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup group stage is coming to an end, meaning every remaining side will be desperate to secure safe passage to the Super Four. Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in the final Group B fixture, with everything on the line.

If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan?

Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 18. This game takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan for free

Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan in the 2025 Asia Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The 2025 World Athletics Championships are available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer or SBS on Demand. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The best athletes from every corner of the globe are descending upon Tokyo to compete in the World Athletics Championships. It's not the Olympics, but it's the next best thing.

Over 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries are expected to compete in these championships, with all eyes on huge stars like Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, Femke Bol, and Mondo Duplantis. It's going to be a fascinating week of top-level competition, and you can follow everything without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2025 World Athletics Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the World Athletics Championships?

The World Athletics Championships (or the IAAF World Championships) are a biennial athletics competition organized by World Athletics. The event ranks alongside the Olympic Games as the top level of outdoor competition for track, field, marathon, and race walk athletes.

When is the 2025 World Athletics Championships?

The 2025 World Athletics Championships is the 20th edition of the event. This year's championships are scheduled to take place from Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan.

How to watch the 2025 World Athletics Championships for free

The 2025 World Athletics Championships are available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer or SBS on Demand.

BBC iPlayer and SBS on Demand are geo-restricted to the UK and Australia respectively, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK or Australia, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer or SBS on Demand from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream the 2025 World Athletics Championships for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK or Australia

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or SBS on Demand

5. Live stream the 2025 World Athletics Championships for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 World Athletics Championships without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch every event for free.

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

What is the best VPN for live sport?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming sport for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK and Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 World Athletics Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Despite it being the talk of the town last year, it feels like Apple Intelligence is losing steam. Between a practical no-show at this year's big iPhone event and little attention being paid to its iOS 26 updates, it's hard not to feel a little disappointed that one feature still has glaringly obvious issues.

It’s always a good day when Windows’ default apps get updates. Brand-new versions of apps like Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad are coming, and they have a healthy amount of new features you need to check out.

Apple has finally unleashed a brand new version of macOS, with a standardized version number and a fresh, glassy look. In addition to the obvious differences, macOS 26 Tahoe has a few extra settings you might want to tweak compared to the previous release.

SAVE $3,200: As of Sept. 18, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit is on sale for $3,299 at Amazon. That's $3,200 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit $3,299 at Amazon
$6,499 Save $3,200 Get Deal

OK, so this is not exactly an impulse buy. You're not going to be shopping online and stumble upon the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit and think, "yeah, why not." If you're considering buying a power station with solar panels and expandable battery packs, you've probably done a lot of research. And that research has probably told you that Jackery is one of the biggest and best names in the business.

As of Sept. 18, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit is on sale for $3,299 at Amazon. That's $3,200 off the list price, and the best-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. We don't expect to see a better price until Prime Big Deal Days or Black Friday, and there's no guarantee that the price will drop any lower. So what we're saying is that if you're interested in whole home backup from a reliable brand, you should carefully consider this limited-time offer.

SEE ALSO: The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 portable power station is almost half off at Amazon — save $350 for a limited time

This beast of a generator provides reliable, long-lasting power whether you're going off-grid or staying at home. If offers a 6128.4Wh capacity and can run heavy appliances up to 3,000W. It reaches 80% power in about 1.3 hours via AC or 1.6 hours with the solar panels, and comes with battery packs that are expandable up to 24kWh.

And if safety is a priority, this kit delivers. By utilizing Advanced Lithium Technology, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is incredibly temperature resistant. The built-in cooling system improves heat dissipation efficiency, and you get shock resistance and fire protection. Every element of safety is covered.

Save over $3,000 with this power station deal at Amazon.

SAVE $350: As of Sept. 18, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 power station is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a 44% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: BLUETTI Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Power Station $449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350 Get Deal

Portable power stations are great for many tasks. Staying connected on camping trips, keeping your devices charged on road trips, and making sure you're always online during a power cut. If you've been planning to purchase, there couldn't be a better time because the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is on sale for $350 off at Amazon.

As of Sept. 18, this portable power station is priced at just $449, down from $750. This price is for the power station only, but there is the option to pay more to upgrade to solar panels bundled in.

SEE ALSO: Get the Oupes Exodus 1200 for its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $200 right now

This power station has a strong 1024Wh battery and 1800W AC output that is able to power 11 of your devices at the same time. It's also nice and lightweight at just 25 pounds, so it's ideal for taking on camping trips or on the go. To get it ready, you'll find it can be fully recharged in around 70 minutes using AC (or solar, if you pay extra).

It's a smart device, too. If you experience a power outage, it can automatically switch on to keep devices like WiFi routers or computers running, so there's no risk of losing connection or unsaved work.

And like all good tech, it can all be controlled from an easy-to-use app. From here, manage the battery, check usage, and enable (or disable) charging.

Get this great power station deal from Amazon before it runs out.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Sept. 18, you can get a free Soundcore Select 4 speaker when you pick up the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Free Soundcore Select 4 with Soundcore Sleep A30 Get Deal

Soundcore products offer incredible audio quality at low prices. Affordability and great sound rarely come together, but when they do, it's a dream come true. And right now, Soundcore is offering an incredible deal at Amazon that gets you an extra item for free. If you can't resist a freebie, don't miss this offer.

As of Sept. 18, if you purchase the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds (currently priced at $229.99), you'll get a Soundcore Select 4 speaker for free. Just add the earbuds to your basket and hit the "how to claim" button on the listing. On the left side, switch the toggle from"qualifying items" to "benefit items," where you'll see the free speaker. Add it to your basket and when you checkout, the price will be $0.

SEE ALSO: Looking for cheap earbuds? Amazon's Echo Buds with and without ANC are up to 63% off

The Sleep A30 earbuds are specifically designed to help you sleep better. They use advanced active noise cancellation to block out noises like snoring with soothing white noise. They use clever AI-powered binaural beats to calm your brainwaves and fit comfortably in your ear. And don't worry side sleepers, thanks to their soft design, they'll still feel comfortable.

The Select 4 is just as impressive (and not just because it's free). This portable Bluetooth speaker is built for listening on the go and outdoors. It has IP67 waterproofing, which means it can survive immersion up to 3.3 feet for 30 minutes. You'll get up to 20 hours of listening too, and it can be paired with a second speaker for a louder, more powerful sound.

Go on, upgrade your whole sound setup. Get this great Soundcore deal at Amazon.

SAVE $200: As of Sept. 18, the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G8 is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey QD-OLED G8 $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200 Get Deal

If you've been looking for an excuse to upgrade your gaming monitor, the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G8 is on sale for its lowest-ever price. That sounds like a pretty good excuse to us.

As of Sept. 18, the Samsung Odyssey QD-OLED G8 is down to just $1,099.99, saving you $200 on list price. This price is specific to the 32-inch model, but if you'd rather the 27-inch option, it's also on sale for a limited time.

SEE ALSO: Experience fall's biggest games with 25% off the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor

This monitor has a clear 4K resolution that is supported by VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, so your viewing has much better contrast and seriously impressive color depth. It also has glare-free technology that reduces reflections and glare, perfect for gaming in all kinds of lighting conditions.

With this monitor, screen lag is a thing of the past; this model has a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. And the monitor works with G-Sync to keep your graphics card and screen in sync, reducing lag even further.

It has a smart cooling system to stop it from overheating, and it can lower the heat five times faster than a graphite sheet. It even uses a thermal Modulation System to automatically control brightness to prevent overheating.

Get this gaming monitor deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $220: As of Sept. 18, the Oupes Exodus 1200 is on sale for $329 at Amazon. That's a 40% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: OUPES Oupes Exodus 1200 $329 at Amazon
$549 Save $220 Get Deal

With the change of the seasons comes a drop in the temperature, bad weather, and the potential for storms. And when the weather turns sinister, there's nothing worse than losing power. So, as the colder months approach, why not invest in a portable power station?

Portable power stations are handy devices that can make life a whole lot easier in an emergency situation. And they're not all break-the-bank expensive, either. In fact, as of Sept. 18, you can get a great deal on the Oupes Exodus 1200 at Amazon. Currently priced at $329, this power station has never been this cheap.

SEE ALSO: Jackery's popular Explorer 1000 v2 power station is 44% off in this Amazon lightning deal

It has a 992Wh capacity with a 1200W output, so it's strong enough to keep essentials running. The food in your fridge is safe for over a day, and recharging your phone is no problem (even up to 60 times). It's also suitable for other essentials, including high-drain devices such as drills, microwaves, or heaters.

It comes with 10 ports, including three pure sine wave AC outlets, USB-C PD, and car outlets, so it can power multiple devices at once.

You'll get your money's worth, too. Thanks to the durable LiFePO4 battery, this power station is rated for over 3,000 cycles. And you can control everything from an easy-to-use app. From turning ports on (or off) from afar and checking battery levels, it's all super easy to manage.

This deal has a limited-time stamp at Amazon, so get it now before the price goes back to normal.

The Amazfit Balance 2 is proof that third-party wearables can be just as impressive as the mainline competition. This fitness watch delivers remarkable battery life, smooth-running software, and more health and wellness features than you’ll know what to do with. It also looks fantastic and is comfortable to wear.

From surprise revivals to infamous letdowns, this episode of How it Hits explores why ending a series well is one of the toughest challenges in storytelling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Open

• Green: To stock

• Blue: Related to astronomy

• Purple: Biblical characters

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

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

• Yellow: Into it

• Green: Furnish

• Blue: Orgs with stars in their logos

• Purple: Homophones of Genesis figures

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 #830 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Into it: DOWN, EAGER, GAME, WILLING

• Furnish: EQUIP, OUTFIT, PREPARE, READY

• Orgs with stars in their logos: N.F.L., NASA, PARAMOUNT, SUBARU

• Homophones of Genesis figures: ABLE, CANE, EAVE, NOAA

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Practice makes perfect

The words are musical terms.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are associated with learning how to play an instrument.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is veritcal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Piano Lessons.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 18

• Scale

• Tune

• Theory

• Recital

• Piano Lessons

• Chord

• Technique

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

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

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cutting tool.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

KNIFE

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025:

AcrossWith 4-Across, another nickname for the Windy City

• The answer is Chi.

See 1-Across

• The answer is Town.

Constellation known for the three stars across its middle

• The answer is Orion.

Burrito bowl topping

• The answer is Salsa.

Whole bunch (of)

• The answer is Slew.

DownSome Silicon Valley execs, for short

• The answer is CTOs.

Dances that involve lifting a married couple in chairs

• The answer is Horas.

"You can count on me"

• The answer is I Will.

Front part of an airplane

• The answer is Nose.

"Heck ___!"

• The answer is Naw.

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

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

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

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

Lexus, Toyota, and Subaru drivers are facing not one but two new recalls that could impact whether their cars are safe to drive.