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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

A magician.

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

MAGUS

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To divide.

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

DIVVY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A feather.

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

PLUME

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To scowl.

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

GLARE

Final Hurdle hint

To gawk.

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

STARE

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

TL;DR: Live stream Jaguars vs. Rams in the NFL for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

There's a string on interesting NFL matchups to enjoy this weekend, including Jaguars vs. Rams. Both teams are sporting 4-2 records coming into this hotly-anticipated meeting in London.

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

When is Jaguars vs. Rams?

Jaguars vs. Rams in the NFL starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 19. This game takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch Jaguars vs. Rams for free

Jaguars vs. Rams in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Jaguars vs. Rams 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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream Jaguars vs. Rams for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 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 Jaguars vs. Rams 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 TVNZ+?

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

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including New Zealand

• 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.

Live stream Jaguars vs. Rams 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.

The moon is barely visible tonight, there's just a sliver of light left before it disappears completely. We’re only a day or so away from the New Moon, when it moves directly between Earth and the Sun.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 19, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 4% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Unfortunately, there's nothing to see without any visual aids tonight. However, if you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin, an impact basin 124 miles in diameter.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Happy Thursday 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. 18 Pips

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 18 Pips

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 18 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this orange space must add to 18. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this purple space must add to 18. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-5, 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 requires expertise in women's tennis.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Teams in hot places

• Green: Boat sport

• Blue: FKA Lou Alcindor

• Purple: She's #1

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: Warm Team Names

• Green: Rowing Terms

• Blue: Associated with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

• Purple: WNBA Draft No. 1 Picks

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 #391 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Warm Team Names - FIRE, FLAMES, HEAT, SUNS

• Rowing Terms - BOW, COXSWAIN, REGATTA, STERN

• Associated with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 33, LAKERS, SKYHOOK, UCLA

• WNBA Draft No. 1 Picks - BIRD, BOSTON, CHARLES, PLUM

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 NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a klutz.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 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: To tip over

• Green: Found in a novel

• Blue: To go crazy

• Purple: Sweet treats

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: Topple

• Green: Parts of a book

• Blue: Lose it, with "Out"

• Purple: Chocolate bars plus a letter

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 #861 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Topple: FALL, SPILL, TUMBLE, WIPEOUT

• Parts of a book: COVER, JACKET, LEAVES, SPINE

• Lose it, with "Out": BUG, FLIP, FREAK, WIG

• Chocolate bars plus a letter: CRUNCHY, DOVER, MARSH, SKORT

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 October 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love a Granny Smith.

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: For the picking

The words are related to fruit.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that can be made with fruit.

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 Apples.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 19

• Sauce

• Jelly

• Butter

• Cider

• Apples

• Compote

• Strudle

• Fritter

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a perfectionist.

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 October 17, 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 October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Perfect.

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 I.

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...

IDEAL

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 October 17, 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.

I didn't have a decent gaming PC for much of my childhood. Yet I spent a solid six hours a day playing games that my rig could barely run. Now that I have a machine that can handle anything, I rarely push it to its limits. Surprisingly, I'm completely fine with that.

If you’re serious about online gaming, you’ve probably thought about upgrading your mouse. But those brand-name price tags are enough to make anyone click away. The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the same specs—you just need to find the right budget model.

When you arrive at TwitchCon 2025 at the San Diego Convention Center, you're immediately met with tight security. Bags are checked, backpacks are prohibited, and everyone passes through metal detectors. To access different areas inside, attendees must scan their wristbands — but these often malfunction, and security rarely makes exceptions.

With such a visible security presence, you'd think creators would feel safe. They don't — and for good reason.

SEE ALSO: Streamer Emiru reportedly assaulted during meet-and-greet at TwitchCon 2025

Emiru, a YouTuber and Twitch streamer with nearly two million followers, was assaulted at a meet-and-greet on the first day of TwitchCon. And, despite Twitch saying time and time again that "safety and security" is its "highest priority," she was left feeling "hurt and upset by how Twitch handled it during and after the fact."

"I don't understand how he was allowed to make it to me in the first place," Emiru wrote in a lengthy post on X.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

In a video posted to X, an individual approached Emiru, grabbed her, and tried to kiss her. She pushed them away before security intervened and pulled them away by the arm. Emiru says that security was her personal security, not a member of the TwitchCon security team. She said there were three or four TwitchCon security staff nearby "who did not react and let the guy walk away."

"The woman who is walking me away is my own personal manager, and behind the booth, the only two people who were checking on me and comforting me were her and my friend. None of the TwitchCon staff came to ask what happened or if I was okay," she wrote in her post.

After the video circulated widely on social media, Twitch wrote in a statement on X that it "immediately blocked this individual from returning to the TwitchCon premises, and they are banned indefinitely from Twitch, both online and in-person events." Emiru wrote that this is a "blatant lie."

"He was allowed to walk away from my meet and greet, and I didn't hear he was caught until hours after he attacked me, and it felt like this only happened because of my manager pressing for it, not because TwitchCon staff present thought it was a big deal," she wrote.

Twitch did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment on the conflicting accounts.

Emiru also noted that this incident follows TwitchCon's previous banning of her "favorite and usual security guard" for "holding a stalker’s arm to bring him to police" at a past event.

Now, she says this will be her final TwitchCon, and she encouraged others not to attend in the future.

"I did not feel cared for or protected, even bringing my own security and staff," she wrote. "I can't imagine how creators without those options would feel."

This isn’t the first time TwitchCon has been criticized for security concerns. In 2024, several Kick-affiliated streamers disrupted the event, harassing Twitch-affiliated creators on-site. This year, major streamers, including Valkyrae, QTCinderella, Hasan Piker, Disguised Toast, and Yvonnie, publicly announced they would not attend due to safety concerns.

Additional reporting by Crystal Bell.

System Restore is a lifesaver feature that lets you revert your system to a previous state when something goes wrong. However, what many don’t realize is that it can accumulate gigabytes of data over time. By deleting old restore points, you can free up space and recover lost GBs for meaningful use.

TL;DR: Bring home a feature-packed MacBook Pro for just $279.97 (reg. $1,499) through Nov. 2, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch Touchbar 2017 (Refurbished) $279.97
$1,499 Save $1,219.03   Get Deal

Whether you just spilled coffee on the keyboard or your old one is just ready to retire, now is a great time to get a new laptop. The MacBook Pro, which is a notoriously powerful but expensive device, rarely ever goes on sale this low — but right now you can bring one home for just $279.97 (reg. $1,499) through Nov. 2.

The MacBook Pro is packed with all the bells and whistles we know and love from Apple. This particular model is equipped with a 3.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, so it’s ready to keep up with all your multitasking. If you’re doing something that requires heavier processing, it also has Turbo Boost technology that enables processing speeds up to 3.5GHz.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced today: Meet the new M5 MacBook, iPad

Don’t worry, all that power doesn’t weigh this device down. At just 3.02 pounds, it’s light enough to bring along anywhere. It even has 512GB of storage, so you can save your important files locally.

An impressive 10-hour battery life makes it easy to get things done without constantly seeking an electrical outlet. And the four Thunderbolt 3 ports make connecting and charging convenient when you need to.

This model comes with the limited-edition Apple Touch Bar feature, which lets you customize and access shortcuts right at the top of your keyboard to streamline your workflow. The keyboard is backlit so you can type in any light, and the Force Touch trackpad offers precise cursor control.

Curious why you’re saving over $1,000? This MacBook Pro has a grade A refurbished status. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no signs of prior use, while you enjoy the deep discount.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Chromebooks are renowned for their powerful safety and privacy features, but that doesn't mean you can just stop worrying about either of those issues. Any security system is only as strong as its weakest link, and you don't want that to be you.

Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage, but that space can run out faster than you might think. But you don’t have to rush to buy extra storage. With a few simple cleanup steps, you can quickly reclaim space and make room for what really matters.

If you’re dreaming about a used, two-seat, V8-powered slice of American fun, the Chevrolet Corvette probably tops your list. It’s been turning heads and stealing hearts since the ’50s, and honestly, there’s nothing quite like it.

What do Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon have in common with an advocacy group called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) that represents students? They are all taking on the Texas App Store Accountability Act, a law that requires age verification from users in the state of Texas in order to download apps in app stores.

As Engadget reports, SEAT and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) have filed two separate lawsuits against the state to prevent the law from taking effect in Texas on January 1, 2026. 

CCIA has several Big Tech companies as members, including Apple, Google, Meta, Intel, Shopify, Amazon, and Uber.

The Texas App Store Accountability Act was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in May. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly contacted Governor Abbott directly to try to convince him to veto the bill or alter parts of it. The law requires that companies that operate app stores, like Apple and Google, verify users' age before downloading apps or making in-app purchases. If a user is a minor, parental approval is required before any download or purchase is made.

App stores like Apple's App Store already provide users with parental controls that require kids to get approval before downloading apps or making purchases. However, those parental controls are optional, and parents must set them up themselves.

The law wouldn't make those parental controls optional in Texas. In fact, it goes a step further and requires companies like Apple and Google to verify every user's age before they are allowed to download or purchase anything from the App Store. 

Online age verification processes require users to provide a form of government ID to a platform in order to use the service. As with all online age verification processes, there are concerns over user data privacy and systems mistaking legal adults for underage users. 

"The First Amendment does not permit the government to require teenagers to get their parents' permission before accessing information, except in discrete categories like obscenity," said Ambika Kumar, a lawyer for the students' organization SEAT. "The Constitution also forbids restricting adults' access to speech in the name of protecting children. This law imposes a system of prior restraint on protected expression that is presumptively unconstitutional."

The CCIA has also put out a press release concerning its own lawsuit against the state over the law.

“We support online protections for younger internet users, and those protections should not come at the expense of free expression and personal privacy," senior vice president and chief of staff for the CCIA Stephanie Joyce said in a press release put out by the group. 

"This Texas law violates the First Amendment by restricting app stores from offering lawful content, preventing users from seeing that content, and compelling app developers to speak of their offerings in a way pleasing to the state," she continued. "That is why we are asking the court to strike down this law and to block it from being enforced while we demonstrate how severely it violates the U.S. Constitution."

So I was watching one of my favorite YouTube channels (Technology Connections) recently, when the channel casually posted a video about how DVD re-releases are worse quality than their previous imprints.

Fall is here, and with it comes a change of leaf colors, cooler air, and the scent of firewood and apples. But if you’re like my household, that also means switching decore from summer beaches to autumn vibes.

There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless stick vacuum. But if you don't consider cleaning cathartic, the best robot vacuums can cross that chore off your to-do list for good.

And after testing more than 25 robot vacuums on my own personal floors (my apartment is very clean), I can confidently curate a handful of robot vacuum recommendations that'll make your life easier — and fit your budget.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum, I keep notes on their overall suction power, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of their automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

Throughout my continuous at-home testing, I found the best robot vacuum to buy for every home and budget in the last few months of 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7 were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). A slew of new Dreame robot vacuums are slated to come out in fall 2025, among them a model with improved climbing abilities and a model whose self-empty dock can hold three sets of mopping pads. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for this list accordingly.