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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if like seeing bands perform.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Banding together

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that can be found at a concert.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Checklist.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 21

• Opener

• Stage

• Merchandise

• Encore

• Headliner

• Checklist

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.

Happy Tuesday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Number (16): Everything in this space must add to 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this orange space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

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

Number (21): Everything in this space must add to 21. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this green space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this orange space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add to 18. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand baseball statistics.

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. 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: 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: Football team names

• Green: Stats

• Blue: Nicknames

• Purple: Share a last name

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

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

• Yellow: An AFC North Player

• Green: Baseball Stats, Abbreviated

• Blue: "Big" Athlete Nicknames

• Purple: ____Ward

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 #393 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An AFC North Player - BENGAL, BROWN, RAVEN, STEELER

• Baseball Stats, Abbreviated- BB, ERA, SO, WHIP

• "Big" Athlete Nicknames - ARISTOTLE, DUMPER, MAC, PAPI

• ____Ward - CAM, CHARLIE, DENZEL, HINES

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 today's Connections.

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 Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025:

AcrossBone that can be "dropped"

• The answer is Jaw.

Late scientist Goodall

• The answer is Jane.

Make critical assumptions about

• The answer is Judge.

Best by a little

• The answer is One Up.

Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.

• The answer is Gods.

DownJust kind of over it

• The answer is Jaded.

Beef cattle breed

• The answer is Angus.

Shed tears

• The answer is Weep.

2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael Cera

• The answer is Juno.

Refresh, as one's memory

• The answer is Jog.

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.

With "No Kings" protests attracting millions of people across major U.S. cities on the weekend, Jon Stewart takes a moment on The Daily Show to assess how close Donald Trump is to actually qualifying as a king.

Donning a grey old-timey wig ("There's no difference in color," Stewart laments when putting it on) and producing a prop scroll of the Declaration of Independence, the host quickly uses examples of the president sending in "standing armies" and exciting "domestic insurrections amongst us" to assess how much of a king he is.

"Look, maybe Trump isn't an all-powerful king, the kind that can do whatever he wants, but he's undeniably king adjascent, king-esque, moving for more. He's the imitation crab of kings right now, the I can't believe it's not king," Stewart concludes. "And the ironic part about Republicans complaining that he is being dubbed a king is that in their minds, he has already surpassed that title anyway."

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

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

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

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

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

An entourage.

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

POSSE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Murky.

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

SOOTY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An award.

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

PRIZE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Rain and snow.

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

SLEET

Final Hurdle hint

Took without permission.

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

STOLE

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

SAVE $3.01: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle is $51.99 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $55.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle $51.99 at TCGPlayer
$55 Save $3.01   Get Deal

Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames preorders are taking over the Pokémon TCG community, but I think you should be looking at the last Scarlet and Violet expansion, Black Bolt and White Flare.

At a time where big box stores are selling sealed product over market value, it's worth knowing the secondary market value. TCGplayer isn't only keeping trainers informed, but the listings are putting Amazon to shame with the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle at $51.99 at TCGplayer. That's compared to Amazon's price of $55. It's only a saving of $3.01, but that's money that's better off in your pocket.

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

Booster Bundles have six packs to rip open, nice and simple. You'll need as many packs to open as you can possibly get away with. This is a massive set, thanks to every Pokémon having a Illustration Rare or Secret Illustration Rare. That means it's going to be tough to pull the chase card you're seeking.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Or you could just pass on the game of chance and just buy the card outright. Yes, the top Black Bolt and White Flare cards are mega expensive, but you'd be surprised to hear that you'll probably save money long term over ripping open sealed product. Here's the top chase cards for Black Bolt and White Flare:

1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $519.99
   Market price: $498.21
   Most recent sale: $399.99

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $422
   Market price: $29.30
   Most recent sale: $427.78

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $500
   Market price: $455.44
   Most recent sale: $399.99

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $367.93
   Market price: $367.23
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $239
   Market price: $241.90
   Most recent sale: $239.99

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.65
   Market price: $198.12
   Most recent sale: $190

SAVE OVER 30%: As of Oct. 21, the Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle is live. Bundle both services together and save over 30% — get Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium for $14.99 per month or Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus for $19.99 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV+ and Peacock Apple TV+ and Peacock   Get Deal

Streaming services continue to see price hikes, making bundle deals look more and more appealing. Bundles are a great way to bring together some of your favorite services for a lower cost than what you'd pay separately, and a new offering from Apple TV+ and Peacock is finally live.

The new Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle is now available, and comes with two different plans: the Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium bundle (which comes to $14.99 per month) or the Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus bundle (which comes to $19.99 per month).

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Oct. 17, 2025)

Compared to paying for each service separately (Apple TV+ is $12.99 per month, Peacock Premium is $10.99 per month, and Peacock Premium Plus is $16.99 per month), you're saving over 30% with both bundles. Below, we've broken down what's included with each plan so you can figure out which one option suits you best.

Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium — $14.99/month

Apple TV+:

• Apple Originals with new releases weekly — no ads

• Live sports

• Download and watch offline

Peacock:

• Must-see TV, including NBC and Bravo series

• Blockbuster movies from Universal Pictures

• Live sports and events

• Includes ads

Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus — $19.99/month

Apple TV+:

• Apple Originals with new releases weekly — no ads

• Live sports

• Download and watch offline

Peacock:

• Must-see TV, including NBC and Bravo series

• Blockbuster movies from Universal Pictures

• Live sports and events

• No ads

• Download and watch offline

If you're curious about what's available to watch on each of these streaming services, check out our breakdowns of the 38 best Apple TV+ shows and the best movies on Peacock to get you started.

Some substances that don't mix on Earth can combine in ultra freezing conditions like those on Saturn's largest moon, breaking one of the best-known rules of chemistry, new research shows.

Titan, a hazy orange world about 880 million miles away in space, shares similarities with early Earth and is the only other place in the solar system with a thick atmosphere, as well as lakes and dunes on its surface. A key reason scientists study the moon is to try to figure out how the first chemical steps toward creating life may have unfolded on our own planet. 

Now a team of researchers from NASA and Chalmers University in Sweden has found that on Titan, the cold environment allows molecules to combine in ways scientists hadn't thought were possible. Its main chemicals — methane, ethane, and hydrogen cyanide — can form crystals together. Normally, hydrogen cyanide doesn't mix with methane and ethane, similar to how oil and water separate. 

That discovery opens up new possibilities for how the basic ingredients of life might begin in worlds once thought too hostile for complex chemistry, said Martin Rahm, a chemistry professor at Chalmers. The team's paper, for which Rahm is a coauthor, appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Hydrogen cyanide is found in many places in the universe," he said in a statement. "The findings of our study may help us understand what happens in other cold environments in space." 

SEE ALSO: New space evidence suggests our water could be older than the sun

Titan, a moon that rivals Mercury in size, apparently breaks a basic chemistry rule related to the distribution of electrical charges in molecules. This property is known as polarity. A polar molecule has one end that is slightly negative and another that is slightly positive, whereas a nonpolar molecule has balanced charges. 

In short, nonpolar substances on Earth tend to dissolve nonpolar substances, and polar substances tend to dissolve polar substances — or, as Rahm puts it, "like dissolves like." 

NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured Ligeia Mare, the second-largest known body of liquid on Saturn's moon Titan. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASI / Cornell

The study began when NASA scientists tried to mix hydrogen cyanide, which is highly polar, with nonpolar molecules methane and ethane at nearly -300 degrees Fahrenheit, matching the temperature of Titan. When they looked at the mixtures using laser spectroscopy, a method for studying a material based on how light interacts with it, they saw that the chemicals hadn’t changed, but something else unusual had happened.

A group of scientists at Chalmers who are experts in hydrogen cyanide helped analyze the data, revealing that liquid methane and ethane actually merged with hydrogen cyanide inside a new kind of crystal. This finding is exciting for astrobiologists because hydrogen cyanide is thought to have played a key role in the creation of amino acids and nucleobases, the building blocks of proteins and DNA, Rahm said.

"So our work also contributes insights into chemistry before the emergency of life, and how it might proceed in extreme, inhospitable environments," he said.

Titan is a special moon because its cold atmosphere — filled with nitrogen and methane — may mimic what young Earth was like billions of years ago. It's also the only other world around the sun known to have active weather, though its precipitation isn't water. Titan's lakes and seas are filled instead with methane and ethane, which cycle through Titan's atmosphere, forming clouds and oily rain that reshape the landscape, much like Earth’s water cycle. 

For years, scientists have wondered if these liquids might also allow the crucial chemistry necessary for life to occur — or at least the kind familiar to us. That question drives NASA's $3.35 billion Dragonfly mission, set to launch in July 2028 and reach Titan six years later. Scientists think a deep underground ocean of liquid water may also exist within Titan, possibly capable of supporting life.

The Chalmers team used computer models to simulate thousands of possible molecular combinations. They found that organic compounds could sneak into hydrogen cyanide’s crystal structure and form "co-crystals." Because these could exist at Titan's frigid temperatures and they match NASA's lab results, there's a good chance these chemical mixtures actually occur on Titan, the scientists say. 

"I see it as a nice example of when boundaries are moved in chemistry and a universally accepted rule does not always apply," Rahm said.

TL;DR: Don’t miss lifetime access to all Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with code LEARN through Oct. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

Heading into the cooler months is the perfect time to invest in yourself, and what better way to do that than by learning a new language — or 14? With a lifetime of Babbel by your side, you get unlimited access to all 14 of its expertly crafted language courses for $159 with the coupon LEARN, a special offer through StackSocial.

That’s a lifetime of personal and professional growth at a fraction of the regular $299 cost. It’s an offer designed to help you unlock global opportunities, connect with different cultures, and sharpen your brain — all on your terms.

SEE ALSO: Lifetime Babbel access gets you 14 languages, no monthly fees required

Babbel is the number-one-selling platform, trusted by millions of users worldwide. Developed by over 100 expert linguists and backed by researchers from top universities, Babbel takes a proven approach to language acquisition.

The lessons are practical, focusing on real-life conversation skills rather than tedious grammar drills. Within a month, you could be confidently chatting with native speakers about transportation, dining, shopping, and more.

Don’t have hours to dedicate to language learning? No problem. Babbel’s lessons are designed to fit into even the busiest schedules. In just 10 to 15 minutes a day, you can make steady progress. And since your progress syncs across devices, you can seamlessly switch between your phone, tablet, and desktop for continual access.

Need to study offline? Simply download lessons in advance, and you’re good to go.

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No matter your goal — mastering small talk in Paris or preparing a pitch for a client in Berlin — Babbel has you covered.

Don’t miss this terrific price on a lifetime of Babbel for just $159 with coupon LEARN, offered exclusively through StackSocial through Oct. 30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The PowerBoy 2-in-1 Retro Gaming Console and Fast-Charging Power Bank lets you play 1,500+ classic games and juice your phone for $79.99 (reg. $129).

Opens in a new window Credit: Retropian PowerBoy 2-in-1 Retro Gaming Console and Fast-Charging Power Bank $79.99
$129 Save $49.01   Get Deal

Here’s a wild idea: what if your backup battery could also play your favorite childhood games? The PowerBoy 2-in-1 Retro Gaming Console and Fast-Charging Power Bank turns that fantasy into a pocket-sized reality for just $79.99 (reg. $129).

It’s equal parts power source and throwback entertainment system — the kind of multitasking gadget you don’t realize you need until you’re an hour into a gaming session while your phone hits 100 percent.

SEE ALSO: Play 1000s of preloaded games with this $90 retro console

With over 1,500 built-in games (and room to add more with a TF card — not included), the PowerBoy delivers serious nostalgia on a 3-inch full-color IPS display that’s crisp, vibrant, and shockingly smooth thanks to its 900MHz processor. You can even use it to watch MP4 videos, listen to MP3s, and read eBooks — like a tiny entertainment center in your hand.

But it’s also a 5000mAh power bank with 22.5W magnetic fast charging. You can charge up to three devices at once, whether it’s your iPhone, Android, or Bluetooth earbuds. It’s the perfect travel companion — one minute you’re crushing old-school games, the next you’re reviving your dead phone.

For 37% off, this thing is part nostalgia trip, part modern survival tool — and a pure conversation starter.

Get the PowerBoy 2-in-1 Retro Gaming Console and Fast-Charging Power Bank while it’s on sale for just $79.99 (reg. $129).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Between multiple tiers, bundles, and price hikes, it can sometimes be tough to remember what you're paying for Disney+, and what you're actually getting for that price point.

Luckily for you, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive breakdown of how much Disney+ costs per month, what each tier and bundle will get you, and how these prices stack up against other streaming services. How does Disney+ measure up to the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock, and more?

SEE ALSO: How much does Netflix cost per month? How much does Disney+'s ad-supported tier cost per month?

Disney+ offers two standalone plans. Its ad-supported tier, simply called Disney+, costs $11.99 per month.

With the most basic Disney+ tier, you get access to the Disney+ library, with ads. You also get the ability to stream on multiple devices at a time. Quality-wise, Disney+ supports up to 5.1 audio and video quality in up to 4K UHD and HDR.

SEE ALSO: How much does Paramount+ cost per month? How much does Disney+'s ad-free tier cost?

Disney+ premium costs $18.99 per month, or $189.99 per year. If you choose the annual plan, that means you're paying closer to $16 per month, saving almost $38 per year.

Disney+ Premium gets you access to the Disney+ library without ads, along with the ability to stream on multiple devices at a time and download titles on up to 10 devices. Quality-wise, Disney+ Premium supports Dolby Atmos audio and video quality in up to 4K UHD and HDR.

How do Disney+'s plan costs compare to other streaming services?

When it comes to both its ad-supported and ad-free standalone plans, Disney+ is the most expensive of the major streaming services.

Its basic plan costs $11.99 per month, as does Hulu's. Meanwhile, Netflix, Paramount+, and Peacock's basic plans cost $7.99 per month. A Prime Video subscription by itself without an Amazon Prime membership costs $8.99 per month, while HBO Max's ad-supported tier costs $9.99 per month.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Disney+ subscription on your desktop or your phone

Disney+ Premium costs $18.99 per month, the same as Hulu Premium. Every other streaming service offers a cheaper ad-free tier: Peacock's costs $10.99 per month, Prime Video's is $11.98 per month, Paramount+'s is $12.99 per month, HBO Max's is $16.99 per month, and Netflix's is $17.99 per month.

How much do Disney+ and Hulu bundle plans cost?

If you want to bundle streaming services together, Disney+ offers several options. First up is the Disney+ and Hulu bundle. The bundle with ads costs $12.99 per month, giving you access to the most basic tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu. Without ads, the bundle costs $19.99 per month.

How much do Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle plans cost?

If you want to add sports coverage to your streaming plan, check out the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle plans, which include bundles with ESPN Select, which means ESPN+ content, and ESPN Unlimited, which means all ESPN content.

With ads, the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select bundle costs $19.99 per month. The Premium version of the bundle costs $29.99, but while Disney+ and Hulu content will be ad-free, the ESPN Select coverage will still come with ads.

With ads, the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle costs $35.99 per month. The Premium version costs $44.99 per month, but just like with the ESPN Select bundles, the ESPN Unlimited coverage will still come with ads.

How much do Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and NFL+ Premium bundle plans cost?

For football fans, Disney+ offers a bundle with Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited, and NFL+ Premium, which gives users access to everything NFL+ has to offer, along with NFL RedZone and game replays.

With ads, the bundle costs $45.99 per month. Without ads, it costs $54.99 per month. Both tiers will grant you access to NFL+ Premium, and ESPN Unlimited coverage on each tier will still come with ads.

How much do Disney+'s Hulu and HBO Max bundle plans cost?

Looking to add Game of Thrones or The Pitt to your Disney+ streaming? Then the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle plan should be up your alley. With ads, this bundle costs $19.99 per month. Without ads, it costs $32.99 per month.

TL;DR: As of Oct. 21, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is on sale for $739 at Amazon. That's over $200 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $739 at Amazon
$979 Save $240   Get Deal

There has been a lot of conversation recently about the future of DJI in the U.S. It's looking increasingly likely that DJI drones will be banned by the end of 2025, stemming from the Trump administration signing two executive orders aimed at boosting the domestic drone industry and curbing potential "malicious drone activity." This situation is messy, but what's crystal clear is that DJI products are popular.

DJI produces cameras, drones, and microphones, and much more. You've probably seen TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers repping the brand. Are you part of this content creator fan club? Or would you like to take your first steps into this world? Either way, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo offers everything you need to get started.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is on sale for $739 at Amazon. That's over $200 off the list price, and includes the pocket gimbal, protective cover, wrist strap, handle, DJI Mic 2 Transmitter, carrying bag, and battery handle. Why upgrade later when you could invest in everything you need from the off?

It's worth noting that this bundle is sold by Adorama. We don't usually recommend purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon, but Adorama has an excellent track record and DJI is facing stock problems right now. Given the circumstances, we feel more than comfortable making this recommendation.

Save over $200 on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo at Amazon.

SAVE $9.85: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Elite Trainer Box is $83.09 at TCGplayer, $9.85 cheaper than Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Elite Trainer Box $83.09 at TCGPlayer
$92.74 Save $9.65   Get Deal

Whilst the Pokémon TCG fandom scours the internet for Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames preorders, I'm still focused on the last Scarlet and Violet expansion, Black Bolt and White Flare. TCGplayer is the best place to buy Pokémon TCG sealed product for the cheapest price outside of securing preorders for market value, and it's proven just that with listings for White Flare ETB at $9.85 cheaper than Amazon right now.

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

The White Flare ETB includes a Tornadus 210 Illustration Rare promo card, 65 Black Bolt-Themed sleeves, themed dice, and eight booster packs. Even the box comes in useful thanks to the included dividers for organising your newly ripped Pokémon TCG hits.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

The only issue with Black Bolt and White Flare is how much harder it is to pull the top chase cards in this massive set. It's amazing having an Illustration Rare or a Secret Illustration Rare for every single Pokémon, but it also bulks out this final Scarlet and Violet expansion. So much so that's it's likely going to be cheaper buying the chase cards you need outright.

Here's the top chase cards from Black Bolt and White Flare:

1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $519.99
   Market price: $498.21
   Most recent sale: $399.99

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $422
   Market price: $29.30
   Most recent sale: $427.78

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $500
   Market price: $455.44
   Most recent sale: $399.99

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $367.93
   Market price: $367.23
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $239
   Market price: $241.90
   Most recent sale: $239.99

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.65
   Market price: $198.12
   Most recent sale: $190

If you’re ending each day feeling drained, the problem may not be your workload, but how your brain is being used. Most leaders over-rely on the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s planning and decision-making center. But this part fatigues quickly under pressure. To sustain high performance, you need to engage other neural systems—and create conditions for […]

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The hosts file is the first place Windows checks when connecting to a website. You can edit it manually to block access to specific websites. Find out what and where it is, and how to edit it.

Federal investigators are looking into a recent incident involving an autonomous driving Waymo that passed a fully stopped school bus, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The federal agency said that the Waymo initially yielded to the school bus, which had its stop arm and crossing control arms deployed, in addition to flashing red lights.

After the Waymo paused, it proceeded to drive around the front of the bus and ultimately made a left turn in order to navigate around the larger stopped vehicle. Investigators said the Waymo drove near disembarking students.

SEE ALSO: Robot, take the wheel: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.

The stopped school bus had partially blocked a driveway the Waymo was exiting, according to the company. As a result, the flashing lights and stop sign were not visible to the vehicle. The Waymo then drove around the bus's front end, making a left turn at a low speed, at a distance from the students exiting the bus.

Waymo said that it has already implemented software updates to improve its performance and has more updates planned.

The incident occurred in late September, in Atlanta, Georgia. NHTSA said that the likelihood of similar incidents is high, based on its "engagement" with Waymo about this incident.

The agency's investigation will focus on how Waymo's automated driving system performs around stopped school buses, with the goal of understanding whether safety issues are pervasive.

"Safety is our top priority, as we provide hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous paid trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments in the U.S.," a Waymo spokesperson told Mashable. The spokesperson said that Waymo will continue to work with NHTSA.

Waymo's safety data indicate that its autonomous vehicles have achieved a fivefold reduction in crashes with injuries compared to human drivers.

In May 2024, NHTSA opened an investigation into Waymo for 22 reported incidents in which its autonomous vehicles collided with objects like gates, chains, and parked vehicles. The cars also appeared to disobey traffic safety control devices.

In November 2024, Waymo voluntarily recalled 1,212 of its self-driving taxis. The recalled cars, which comprised the entirety of the company's fleet at the time, received a software update in November designed to significantly decrease the likelihood that Waymos would collide with stationary objects.

Waymo, which currently offers autonomous vehicle services in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, recently announced that it would expand its taxi service to London.

Welcome to Mashable's weekly entertainment news series, Let's talk New York Comic Con: Last weekend, cosplayers, fans, and celebs converged on New York for the massive event. And Mashable has got the highlights you won't want to miss.

The teaser for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has delivered the best look yet at the spinoff series set between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.  Based on the George R.R. Martin novella The Hedge Knight, the show follows the adventures of Dunk and Egg, a newly minted knight and his sassy squire. See them quest for coin, honor, and maybe each other? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on Jan. 18 on HBO Max. Learn more about the show and what Martin had to say about it from Mashable's Comic Con panel wrap-up. 

Speaking of big franchises taking new turns, the MCU revealed a surprising trailer for the Wonder Man mini-series coming to Disney+, and it's a stunner. Forget what you think you know about the Jack Kirby character, because this Wonder Man is tackling superhero fatigue by taking a cue from The Studio — that means showbiz satire, baby! Two actors are vying for the role of a lifetime as the lead in a Wonder Man movie. One is fighting for his big break, the other broke bad in Iron Man 3. Yup, that's Trevor Slattery, the eccentric thespian who successfully fooled the world into thinking he was the supervillain known as the Mandarin. This mini-series looks like the MCU's most bonkers offering yet, and look at that — we're not fatigued! Wonder Man debuts on Disney+ on Jan. 27. 

AMC gave Interview with the Vampire fans an extended look at The Vampire Lestat. And brace yourselves. The Brat Prince is back with sex, blood, rock ‘n'roll, and of course bickering with his eternal lover, Louis. It's going to be messy as hell, and we can't wait. Coming in 2026. 

This video also includes the star of “Good Boy,” a very sweet dog named Indy, making his play for Oscar Gold.

Last but not least, we hear from our UK editor, Shannon Connellan, to learn what the highlights are out of the BFI London Film Festival. Shannon breaks down the 6 best book adaptations from the festival: Hamnet, Frankenstein, Chronology of Water, Grief is the Thing With Feathers, Pillion, and Hedda.

Check back in next week for another edition of our weekly entertainment news show.

SAVE 43% (AND GET A FREEBIE): As of Oct. 20, the EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $3,599, down from $6,298, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount and a $2,699 price cut. On top of that, because the purchase is over $2,000, it qualifies for a free gift from EcoFlow — in this case, a free portable solar panel to get you started with off-grid charging.

EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 $3,599 at Amazon
$6,298 Save $2,699   Get Deal at Amazon

Having a small portable power station is great for camping or keeping your phone charged during a quick outage, but if you're in a multi-day blackout situation or need to power a larger appliance, those smaller options probably won't cut it. If you need real backup power but hate the idea of a noisy, smelly gas generator, then these massive battery systems are what you should be looking at.

SEE ALSO: I never go camping without this $24 portable charger

As of Oct. 20, the EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $3,599, down from $6,298, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount and a $2,699 price cut. On top of that, because the purchase is over $2,000, it qualifies for a free gift from EcoFlow — in this case, a free portable solar panel to get you started with off-grid charging.

The bundle gets you the Delta Pro 3 (which has 4kWh on its own) plus an extra 4kWh battery. That's 8kWh capacity right out of the box. Need even more? You can keep stacking batteries up to 48kWh. It's powerful enough to run almost anything, with a 4000W output and both 120V and 240V options, so it can handle big stuff like a central AC unit or even charge an RV.

And while these stats may seem intimidating, it's designed to be pretty user-friendly. It has a super-fast 10ms UPS switch-over (which means your connected devices won't even blink if the power goes out). It uses long-lasting LFP batteries and is surprisingly quiet when running, humming along at just 30 dB thanks to EcoFlow's X-Quiet tech.

Ninja Gaiden’s roots go all the way back to 1988, when the action-platformer title released on the NES. Since then, it’s been an action game staple, with a variety of 2D and 3D iterations. Developer Koei Tecmo dubbed 2025 “The Year of Ninja Gaiden” because the series has seen three separate releases this year. The Ninja Gaiden 2 Black remaster was released in January. Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen collaborated with Koei Tecmo to release Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new 2D entry in the franchise, in July.

To round out this year's releases, Koei Tecmo worked with Xbox Game Studios to launch the next mainline entry in the series, Ninja Gaiden 4. Despite being developed under Microsoft, the game is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and even PS5. This reflects Microsoft’s shift away from exclusive Xbox releases, opting to make the games available to more players.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is the first new mainline game since 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3, and is being co-developed with PlatinumGames, best known for titles such as Nier and Bayonetta. Despite some pacing issues and retread levels in Ninja Gaiden 4, its slick and bloody gameplay, along with a stylish aesthetic, makes it one of the best action games of 2025.

Yakumo vs Ryu in 'Ninja Gaiden 4' Credit: Xbox Game Studios

Ninja Gaiden 4 follows a new protagonist in Yakumo, a young and edgy member of the Raven Clan — a group that rivals the Hayabusa Clan, home of series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa. Yakumo is sent on a mission to assassinate Seori, the Priestess of the Dark Dragon. After Seori reveals how to eliminate the Dark Dragon permanently, Yakumo reluctantly enters into a truce with her, and they set off on a journey to release the shrines that confine the evil entity.

There are 19 total chapters, with some dedicated to playing as Ryu. Unfortunately, the Ryu-focused chapters are largely a disappointment. They’re retreads of Yakumo’s levels, with the same bosses. They could’ve been completely cut out to make the game more concise and impactful.

While the story isn’t really as emotional or in-depth as other games like Ghost of Yotei, that didn’t hinder my enjoyment in any way. The gameplay does the talking here.

Lots of Blood Credit: Xbox Game Studios

Ninja Gaiden 4’s real-time combat is filled with bloody and high-octane action. Yakumo can unlock four types of weapons as the story progresses: the Takeminakata twin blades, the Yatousen rapier, the Magatsuhi staff, and the Kage-Hiruko, which is an assortment of miscellaneous weapons containing claws and shuriken. These options give him plenty of ways to slice and dice enemies to gory bits, and switching between them feels as smooth as butter, making the combat feel fluid. Yakumo has a chance to dismember enemies, which then lets him “obliterate” them, triggering a brief cutscene where he automatically kills them regardless of how much damage he’s already inflicted. These are satisfying to watch, as body parts fly across the screen. 

However, obliterations can be inconsistent. While bigger enemies understandably take longer to dismember, sometimes obliterations activate on smaller enemies within two hits or what feels like ages. It’s frustrating when I’m slashing away at a small enemy and they’re just soaking up my hits like a sponge while I’m still waiting for the cue for obliteration to show up. It can occasionally ruin the flow of fights.

As Yakumo fights, he can build up his Bloodbind gauge and expend chunks of it to coat his weapons in his blood, powering them up into what’s called Bloodraven form. He can then pierce through enemy shields and even crucially interrupt bosses as they charge up their most powerful attacks. Choosing when to do so is a delicate balancing act. Do I want to deal more damage immediately, or save up my Bloodbind gauge just in case I need to break through a shield? Making these decisions on the fly during the frantic combat keeps the gameplay feeling fresh every single moment.

Yakumo also has a separate Berserk Gauge, which he can activate to enter a temporarily powerful state. This state means certain Bloodraven attacks of his become automatic kills, called Bloodbath Kills. They come with their own special cutscenes, with the screen turning red and kanji stylishly emerging. This makes the combat even more explosive and fulfilling when whole swathes of the arena dissipate in a bloody haze.

The upgrade system is straightforward. By killing enemies, you earn NinjaCoin and Weapon Points to purchase abilities and items to expand Yakumo’s skillset. Sure, it’s not as immersive as finding shrines across an open world like in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows or Ghost of Yotei, but this simple approach fits an action game like this perfectly.

Cyberpunk Tokyo Credit: Xbox Game Studios

While robots and machines have always been part of the Ninja Gaiden universe, Ninja Gaiden 4 leans much more into the cyberpunk aesthetic than previous games, giving it a distinct identity that separates it from its predecessors. This is reflected most in the game’s user interface and menus, which take on a more tech-infused design, like looking through a computer screen.

Ninja Gaiden 4 even offers an in-game explanation of the constant downpour enveloping Tokyo, which is a popular trope in the cyberpunk genre. Even though Ryu has killed the Dark Dragon numerous times, its cursed husk remains and ravages Tokyo with an eternal corrosive rain. Only a direct descendant of the Dark Dragon, which Yakumo is, can truly kill it. It’s a clever way to integrate existing lore with cyberpunk influences, resulting in more believable and immersive worldbuilding.

Ninja Gaiden 4’s straightforward level design still offers plenty of room to explore. Sometimes you’ll come across a diverging path, and following it leads to things like a treasure chest filled with helpful healing items, side quest areas, or even a Purgatory Shrine. Side quests typically involve killing a specific group of enemies hidden somewhere in the level. They’re worth completing for their rewards, which can be as simple as NinjaCoins or an item that can increase Yakumo’s maximum HP. Purgatory Shrines are challenge stages that players can enter to test their skills against waves of enemies. Similar to side quests, these are worth taking on for their rewards.

Credit: Xbox Game Studios

In between certain sections, you’ll skate on rails or surf on a board to the next part of the level, all the while dodging obstacles like oncoming trains and ducking under traffic signs. They’re fun distractions to balance the game’s constant combat, but can quickly become annoying since accidentally missing a railing causes you to restart a little ways back and lose a small portion of HP. There are also instances during these sections where you’ll have to fall into wormholes, which can be difficult to judge the distance of, and failing to land these also leads to losing HP. This unfairly leaves me underprepared for the next combat encounter since my HP is lower than it should be.

Ninja Gaiden 4 also has a surprisingly robust set of accessibility settings. Not only are you able to adjust the subtitle font, but there are high-contrast elements that make it easier to see parts of the game. The visual options include things like changing the color of enemies and interactable objects, making them much more distinguishable. These implementations rival the accessibility suite tools found in PlayStation’s first-party games, and hopefully that continues with future Xbox-published games.

After completing the main campaign once, you’ll unlock Chapter Challenge mode, where you can play as Ryu throughout, instead of during his dedicated levels. This gives the game a lot more replayability, as Ryu’s playstyle is quite different from Yakumo's — including the use of ninjutsu to unleash magical attacks like fireballs. Additionally, there are Trials that you can take on where you participate in unique boss fights under special conditions. After you’ve mastered the gameplay, these are fun ways to apply what you’ve learned in one final bout.

Is ‘Ninja Gaiden 4’ worth it? Credit: Xbox Game Studios

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a worthy next entry to one of the most fabled action franchises in gaming. While it’s not without its flaws, such as underwhelming Ryu chapters and frustrating rail sections, its best parts more than make up for them. The fast-paced and gratifying combat feels refreshing in an age where more games are heading towards slow-paced Dark Souls-like gameplay. There’s plenty of replayability with the Trials and Ryu’s post-game inclusion, too.

Ninja Gaiden 4 will also be available on Xbox Game Pass, although Microsoft recently announced a price hike, with its first-party published titles now only available via the most expensive $30-per-month Ultimate tier. The game is rather short, taking about 10-15 hours to complete, depending on how good you are. So if you have an Ultimate subscription, Ninja Gaiden 4 is certainly worth it, along with the rest of the Game Pass catalog.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 – Deluxe Edition – Xbox Series X|S and Windows [Digital Code in Box] $89 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon NINJA GAIDEN 4 – Standard Edition – PlayStation® 5 $69 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon Ninja Gaiden 4 (for PC) $69.99 at Steam
  See It at Steam