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For years, my dishwasher drove me insane. No matter what settings I changed or how carefully I loaded it, some things always came out far from clean, and I had to wash them myself or run another cycle. The solution I discovered through a truly awesome YouTube video was incredibly simple: I just needed to add a little dishwasher powder.

The best early October Prime Day DJI deals: Best drone deal DJI Mini 3 $399 (save $20) Get Deal Best camera deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 (save $80) Get Deal Best mic deal DJI Mic 3 $259 (save $70) Get Deal Best power station deal DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 (save $550) Get Deal

As Mashable's Global Shopping Editor, I spend a lot of time trawling through the best deals on the web. And a good portion of that time is dedicated to sourcing the best deals on DJI. "Why?" I hear you ask. Because Mashable readers (like you) absolutely love the range of creator-friendly tools pumped out by the brand.

Apple remains the most popular brand with Mashable's tech-obsessed readership, but DJI isn't far behind. When we write about DJI's drones, vlogging cameras, mics, and power stations, you read about it and sometimes decide to buy. That data is like gold dust, baby. It tells me that you truly care about DJI. And that means I care.

So with that, I have trawled through hundreds of early October Prime Day deals to bring you the very best from DJI. Here you can find record lows, deals for under $100, and smart savings that could elevate your content.

Best DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $399 at Amazon
$419 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the DJI Mini 3 for $399, down from $419. It's not the biggest discount we've ever seen. In fact, this popular drone dropped as low as $299 on Amazon. Honestly, I would be surprised if we didn't see something better as we move closer to October Prime Day. Will we see another all-time low price? That I'm not sure about. Will we see something better than a $20 discount? Surely.

More DJI drone deals

• DJI Neo — $169 $199 (save $30)

• DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo — $499 $599 (save $100)

• DJI Mini 3 — $505.99 $549 (save $43.01)

• DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo — $622 $719 (save $97)

• DJI Avata 360 — $719 $817.95 (save $98.95)

Best DJI camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 at Amazon
$629 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is down to $549 ahead of October Prime Day. The record low for this stacked bundle is $512, so you're getting a real good price here with weeks still to go until the main event. We might see another price drop as we move closer to Prime Day, but in this case, we wouldn't be surprised if this were the lowest price we get.

The Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera features a 1-inch CMOS sensor and records in 4K resolution at 120fps. The Osmo Pocket 3's advanced 3-axis mechanical stabilization delivers impressive stability so you can shoot on the go.

More DJI camera deals

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo — $239 $299 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 — $439 $499 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera Adventure Combo — $594.99 $664.99 (save $70)

Best DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic 3 $259 at Amazon
$329 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Mic 3 is on sale for $259, down from $329. We've seen better, but it's still a decent price drop. It's early days, OK?

The Mic 3 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for creators, podcasters, and interviewers who need quality audio and portability. It supports up to four transmitters, features adaptive gain control and selectable noise cancellation, and uses dual-band transmission for clear audio in busy environments. You'll also get up to 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, which is always handy.

More DJI mic deals

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $79 $99 (save $20)

• DJI Mic 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $199 $269 (save $70)

Best DJI power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $539.01   Get Deal

The DJI Power 2000 V2 is a popular pick here at Mashable, and it's on sale for under $800 ahead of October Prime Day.

Mashable's Lauren Allain tested this powerhouse last year and noted that it's a "beefy option that’s awesome for camping, backyard parties, or content creators out on projects." Allain added that the "power to physical size ratio is impressive," which is what really matters with these machines. It's all about finding that sweet spot between portability and enough power to keep you moving.

More DJI power station deals

• DJI Power 140W GaN Charger — $59.49 $69.99 (save $10.50)

• DJI Power 1000 — $419.99 $449.99 (save $30)

Anyone who's a longtime AdultFriendFinder user will already know the benefits of the site's “Premium Gold Plan”. But for those who are only just getting started with the long-running hookup site, there's lots to learn. And just because it regularly prompts users to sign up for the plan, don't feel obliged to immediately input your credit card details. There are definitely benefits to a paid membership, including features and extras, but it's best to understand what the Premium Gold Plan actually offers.

Not that you have to, of course. Not everyone wants to fork out for an extra feature. Tight budgets are in place for a reason. We get it. You can still have lots of fun playing around with AdultFriendFinder's free version. Just know that there are limits to the freebie fun. And there's a ton of spicy content and quality-of-life stuff when you upgrade.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

You can test the waters with a one-month membership for only $35.95. Or you can commit to three months at $26.95 per month. If the trial run goes well, it might be worth committing to a more long-term membership. You can get a one-year membership for just $19.95 per month. It's worth noting that you will need to manually cancel your Gold account after each membership period ends, otherwise the subscription will automatically renew by default. Don't make the age-old mistake of only remembering to cancel once you've seen the money leave your account.

If you're intrigued but want to know more before making a commitment, we've rounded up three perks exclusive to paid users that will help justify the monthly cost:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Discover vastly expanded chatting options

If you’re relying on a free membership, actual chatting options are limited. You can search for individual members by criteria (Man/Woman/Trans or Couple/Group, for example) and apply very limited filters (Online or Near Me). But you'll find that when you try to click through the profile photo and find out more about the person who's caught your fancy, you'll get an instant prompt to upgrade your account.

Free members are restricted to interacting with others in forums and group chat spaces only, which is all good and fun but also limiting, since there’s no guarantee the people you're chatting with actually live near you. And while free members can receive regular direct messages from premium users, they will need to upgrade to respond and start a back-and-forth DM convo. 

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder red flags — how to avoid scams on AFF

Gold members, of course, get much more. Members can send and respond to private messages as well as enter webcam shows and speak to the host for free. They can also create a Friends list to make regular contact all the more easy. This will also unlock access to AFF’s instant messenger, giving you real-time convos. 

Unlock AdultFriendFinder’s even naughtier side

It doesn't take long to get an eyeful of nudity and NSFW content when you log on. It's fair to say that the nudity filters are very much turned off. But that's what AdultFriendFinder is all about. It proudly platforms and encourages sexual content. But free members only get the basics, with tiny thumbnails and low-res cam feeds. With a premium membership, though, you have access to better quality photos, videos, and streams — it all comes to life in stunning (not to mention very spicy) HD when you subscribe. 

Additionally, Gold members can view and comment on nude photos and videos that are otherwise restricted for free users. And while free members can watch Gold member webcams, they can only watch one at a time. Gold members can open and enjoy multiple streams at once, though. 

Finally, Gold members can access AdultFriendFinder’s Sex Academy, a massive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex and sexual health, and discover new techniques to improve their skills between the sheets. Topics range from the basics — 101 skills like how to correctly put on a condom — to more advanced stuff such as oral sex techniques. Everything's covered in a way that's easy to follow and — in the case of practical sex skills — easy to replicate in real life.

Refine your search for the perfect match

We know that free members have limited interaction with their searches, and it's frustrating to discover how limited the basic search function is — especially when you consider how much information users voluntarily provide about themselves.

Once again, it's little surprise that paid members get a better, slicker experience. The Gold membership unlocks a more refined search that includes not just basics like gender, sexual orientation, and an age and distance range (Straight, Bisexual, Bicurious, Gay, and Prefer Not To Say are all options), but extra categories such as marital status, ethnicity, and body type (Average, Slim/Petite, Athletic, Ample, A Little Extra Padding, and BBW/BBM are the options here).

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Snapchat: Which is better for sexting?

Paid members can get super specific in AFF's self-explanatory My Kinks section. They can fill this out to signal exactly what they're into — there's no shame or judgment on AFF. The benefits are obvious, with a better chance of attracting like-minded people who share your desires. The list is pretty exhaustive and extremely kink-friendly — something for everyone, you could say.

Paid members can also build up a friends list, helping to track their favorite people and chat partners. That makes it easy to slip back into a steamy conversation or keep up with a particular streamer’s schedule. 

If you’re after a naughtier online dating experience, something that prioritizes kinky fun and taboo-busting chats that other sites keep hidden behind innuendo and self-censorship, AdultFriendFinder’s paid membership experience is very much worth exploring. 

What are the most comfortable headphones? Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The most comfortable earbuds and headphones shouldn't cause ear fatigue or pain, even after hours of listening to music or podcasts.

After extensive testing, we selected the five most comfortable headphones based on price, performance, and purpose. However, one product in particular stood out, and it's the one with "Comfort" literally in the name. Our audio reviewers are unanimous on this point: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) are the most comfortable headphones available right now.

Read on to find out what other pairs emerged as the top choices, including picks for those who want top-tier noise cancellation.

In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?

If you're looking for comfort above all, over-ear headphones are almost always the way to go. They just wear better than earbuds or on-ear models. The latter is harsher on your ears, which can cause serious discomfort, depending on how long you wear them. In-ear buds are generally more comfortable than on-ear headphones, but they can still begin to hurt after just a few hours (they are jammed inside your ears, after all).

Although over-ear headphones are bulkier and less portable, it's worth the trade-off for comfort's sake. Plus, over-ear headphones can be safer for your ears compared to earbuds because the sound isn't being funneled directly into your ear canal. They also provide extra noise cancellation.

How much should you spend on comfortable headphones?

The good news is that comfortable headphones aren't locked to a specific budget range. You can find a super cozy pair at premium pricing just as easily as you can find them at the budget end of the spectrum. The extra features you're looking for are what really determine how much you need to spend.

Want unrivaled active noise cancellation or the best sound quality in the business? Then be prepared to spend a minimum of around $200, all the way up to $800. If comfort is literally the only thing you care about and the extra bells and whistles are just nice-to-haves, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $300. Go any cheaper, and you're probably not going to get a lot of value for your money. No shade toward your favorite pair of gas station headphones, but they probably aren't the best option for all-day wear.

TL;DR: Dunkin' is giving away 1 million free drinks on Sept. 24. The promo code will drop at some point during the day, so keep this page bookmarked for an update.

Dunkin' is giving away 1 million free drinks, again. That seems like an absolutely wild promotion, but Dunkin' actually does this kind of thing fairly regularly. That doesn't make it any less exciting, and the process of claiming remains the same.

Dunkin' doesn't release specifics on what's actually included in the giveaway until the promo code goes live. That code is expected to drop sometime on Sept. 24, after which point everyone will rush to claim one of the free drinks. We'll be keeping a keen eye on all the usual channels to bring you that code as soon as it goes live. These freebies go quickly, so you need to be ready.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks just dropped a Snoopy cup for fall, and yes, I'm taking the bait

Once the code goes live, you'll need to enter it in the "Offers & Rewards" section of your app. Yes, that does mean you need to be a Dunkin' Rewards member, but it's free to sign up, and this type of giveaway comes around pretty often. It's worth the hassle.

Donald Trump has banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, and Jimmy Kimmel has some thoughts on the president "cracking down on that out-of-control first amendment."

"Yeah, why aren't these so-called journalists gushing over how well he's mishandling the war he said was over seven months ago? It's just not right," says Kimmel in the late night clip above.

"As his popularity continues to plummet, Trump's fingers go deeper and deeper into his ears. He does not want to hear bad news. Bad news is fake news to Donald Trump."

Elsewhere, Jon Stewart also had a blunt response to Trump's decision to start banning news outlets.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

The best early AirPods deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days: Best overall deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best airpods max deal Apple AirPods Max 2 $479 (save $70) Get Deal

The first day of fall is nigh, and you know what that means — October Prime Day is nearly here.

The sale, officially dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, marks the start of the holiday shopping season, which is often a great time to grab tech like AirPods on sale.

There's still some time before the two-day sale kicks off on Oct. 6, but in the lead-up to the main event, our team will be tracking all the best AirPods deals. So far, we haven't seen any price drops on the newly announced AirPods 5 (more on that below). As someone who tests and writes about headphones and earbuds year-round, I get why Apple users are willing to invest in AirPods. As a deals expert, I also much prefer to see folks grab AirPods on sale.

SEE ALSO: Early October Prime Day deals already live: Save on Apple, Beats, Fire TV, and Garmin

That's why I've rounded up the three best AirPods deals live so far, plus the three that you can wait on for the time being. Check them out below, and be sure to follow more of Mashable's October Prime Day coverage.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we picked this

The humble AirPods 4. What they lack in active noise cancellation, they make up for in a more appealing price point of $99. With the release of the AirPods 5, these are the last AirPods available without ANC. Maybe that's ideal for you, or maybe you simply appreciate the lower price point. In either case, this is likely the last holiday shopping season you can grab these buds on sale. Just note, they are still far from their record low price of $69, but their availability may be limited as we get further into the shopping season.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $479 $549 (save $70)

AirPods deals to wait for

• The AirPods 5 have only received one small deal — a $4 price drop — so far since their release on Sept. 18. Granted, they're still very new to the market, so even that price dip is notable. We're hoping that as we get further into holiday deal season, a slightly more substantial deal comes along.

• The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case haven't dropped in price just yet, so we're not holding our breath that they will, especially since they're still brand new. That said, October Prime Day would be a very appropriate time for a surprise deal, so the chance that we see even a small dip isn't zero. At the very least, grabbing them at full price is still likely a better deal than grabbing the AirPods 4 with ANC on sale (more on that below).

• The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation look like a good deal at $149 (down from $179), but there's a catch. Their newer analog, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, has a list price of $149 and comes with an improved feature set, including better active noise cancellation and sound quality, with the same battery life. In other words, the AirPods 4 with ANC would have to be cheaper than $149 for this to be a deal worth picking up.

Donald Trump recently issued a White House ban on several news outlets, including CNN, MS NOW, and Politico — and Jon Stewart has thoughts.

In the Daily Show clip above, the host reacts to footage of the president saying "there's something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories."

"Have you tried presidenting better?" responds Stewart. "You could ban the press, or you could be a better f***ing president? I mean, give the press something to work with. I mean here's a positive story: I never thought my car could take $140 worth of gas in such a small tank! I had no idea. Hurrah.

"And not for nothing, have we ever had a president just flat out in the Oval Office come out against the Constitution? What kind of a sick country doesn't allow unlimited warrantless search and seizure? I mean, that's not the North Korea I grew up in."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: To celebrate Pokémon's 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company released a new card set with high pull rates to stop scalpers. A factory red-ink glitch created "Blood Mew" — an accidental, creepy variant of Mew #151.

To celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary — and cool down tension around short stock and scalper buyouts — Nintendo and The Pokémon Company dropped a commemorative TCG set loaded with higher pull rates for shiny variants and fan-favorite Pikachus. The goal was noble enough: make cool, rare cards more accessible for casual fans and active players alike.

Naturally, that didn't stop the trading circuit from finding a brand-new, ultra-exclusive prize to lose their minds over.

Enter "Blood Mew."

Originally designed as a serene, golden illustration of card number 151, a batch of the new Mew cards suffered a heavy printing defect at the factory. Likely caused by a foil splice error during manufacturing, Mew appears to be floating in — or descending into — a thick pool of deep red ink saturated across half the card instead of hovering over a bright magical grove.

Card trader Miss Natoshi spotted the factory mishap, posted it online, and gave the sinister-looking misprint its instant-classic nickname.

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

In the Pokémon card world, factory mistakes are treated like gold simply because they're so rare. While standard shiny cards are printed by the millions, an accidental ink leak or misaligned foil creates a one-of-a-kind card that can't easily be remade.

Even though Nintendo tried to make this 30th Anniversary set easy for everyone to buy, the internet hype machine has already turned "Blood Mew" into an expensive viral circus.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box gets a price cut on Amazon — act fast to save $10

Hoping to hit the jackpot, resellers are listing their misprinted cards on auction sites and social media to see how much collectors will pay. Some super optimistic sellers are even listing their cards with asking prices in the six figures.

Whether the hype stays this high or cools off, one thing is for sure — a simple printer mistake just accidentally created the most Metal card in Pokémon history.

TL;DR: The Motorola Razr+ is available for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this deal, activate a new line on an Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola T-Mobile: Motorola Razr+ for free   Shop Now

Apple literally just launched new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods, so why on earth are we talking about Motorola? We know there's a lot of excitement around Apple, but Motorola's foldable phones are quietly impressing. And right now, you can upgrade without spending anything.

The Motorola Razr+ is available for free with T-Mobile, and you don't even need to trade in anything to qualify. The process of claiming is actually pretty straightforward.

To get the new Motorola Razr+ for free with T-Mobile, simply activate a new line on its Experience Beyond plan. The total cost is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the three-year mark, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price. You will need to pay taxes and a one-time $35 connection charge, but that's a small price to pay for a "damn fine phone."

If you really are committed to owning the latest from Apple, you have similar options.

The new Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free when you trade in a qualifying device and activate a new line on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan. New customers who switch to T-Mobile and keep their existing number can also qualify.

The best early October Prime Day TV deals: Best TCL TV deal TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 (save $1,502) Get Deal BEST LG TV DEAL LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,599.99 (save $1,100) Get Deal Best Hisense TV Deal Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 (save $652) Get Deal

Another Amazon Prime Day is upon us. Well, kind of. Prime Big Deal Days, which runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7, isn't quite as massive as Amazon's flagship summer sale, but it serves as an unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

Casually called October Prime Day, the fall sale features deals on all sorts of tech — just like Prime Day proper. TVs, in particular, tend to see pretty big price drops now that new models have been on the market for about six months. In other words, if you're in need of a new TV, you can find a 2026 model for a steal during October Prime Day.

We've rounded up some of the best TV deals from brands like TCL, LG, Hisense, and Samsung that you can shop now, but be sure to check back as the official Prime Big Deal Days sale nears.

Best TCL TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's TV expert is a big fan of TCL's QM8L SQD-Mini-LED TVs. She named it our favorite QLED TV for most people, highlighting its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling" in her review. It's one of the brightest TVs you can buy in 2026, period, which is thanks in part to its "super quantum dot mini LEDs" (aka the SQD part of its name). On a normal day, the 85-inch model costs $3,999.99, but ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, it's down to $2,497.99. That's its lowest price on record.

Best LG TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,599.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,100.00   Get Deal Why we like it

OLED TVs are known for their elite contrast and often extreme price tags. However, the LG C6 is what Mashable's TV expert calls the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices. It's also her top pick for an OLED TV for most people. It features inky blacks, stark contrast (of course), improved audio, peak brightness, and a higher refresh rate than its predecessor, and overall, incredible picture quality. At just under $1,600, the 65-inch model is over $1,000 cheaper than its list price ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. We've actually seen it drop even lower before, so we'll be keeping an eye out as the official sale nears.

Best Hisense TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hisense U7 series delivers Mini-LED performance you'd expect on higher-priced models. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio, a Google TV with a Gemini interface, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Its backlighting features full-array local dimming as well, which means clusters of tiny LED bulbs precisely control brightness levels within specific sections of your screen for more accuracy and depth. The U7 is a step up from our favorite budget TV of 2026, but with this massive price drop, it's actually a much better deal. At $847.99, the 65-inch model is already $2 cheaper than it was on Prime Day proper back in June.

More early October Prime Day TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Hisense 55-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $748 $1,298 (save $550)

• Hisense 55-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,499.99 (save $702)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

65-inch TV deals

• TCL 65-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED 4K TV — $897.99 $1,499.99 (save $602)

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,799.99 (save $700)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,002)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

75-inch TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $547.99 $729.99 (save $182)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,298.99 $1,999.99 (save $701)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $2,999.99 (save $502)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

• TCL 98-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $3,997.99 $5,999.99 (save $2,002)

This year's IFA conference was chock-full of cutting-edge technology announcements. One of the highlights was from leading vacuum brand Dreame, which unveiled a fresh range of innovative cleaning devices including a powerful new robovac, the Aqua20 Ultra Roller, an upgrade to their X60 Ultra robot vacuum (which our own Leah Stodart reviewed at 4.5/5 stars earlier this year), and an upgraded steam mop, the T16 Pro TriForce.

Dreame Aqua20 Ultra Roller: Steam-powered deep cleaning Credit: Supplied

The all-new Aqua20 Ultra Roller combines piping-hot steam, hot water, and what Dreame is calling “intelligent roller technology,” to clear up and scrub down your floors until they sparkle. Plus, its extending roller mop reaches up to 8cm outward into corners and narrow spaces, while proactive dirt detection helps identify and address hidden messes.

Key specs:

• 180°C Dual High-Temp Steam Mopping: With the blend of high-temperature steam and hot water, any set-in marks and stains are loosened up and wiped away without the need for elbow grease.

• 40,000Pa Vormax Suction and Hyperstream Detangling DuoBrush: 40,000Pa of Vormax suction power snags loose hair or dust, while the anti-tangle brush head keeps the bristles moving freely.

• 8cm MopExtend and Mop Cover: Reaches tight corners or spaces to ensure a deep clean. Meanwhile, the additional mop cover prevents your carpets from feeling damp or soggy.

• ProLeap 10cm Obstacle Clearing: The industry's first FlexiAdapt obstacle-crossing system allows Aqua20 Ultra Series to have an obstacle-crossing capability of up to 10cm.

• Proactive Light Dirt Detection Technology: Built-in blue light dirt detection designed to detect and clean messes that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

X60 Ultra Extreme: Dreame's newest flagship robovac Credit: Supplied

The Dreame X60 Ultra Extreme is an upgraded version of the base X60 Ultra, which launched at the start of the year. It features Dreame’s first Dual-Joint UltraExtendArms (mechanical arms that extend the side brush out to clean complex corners and other narrow gaps), as well as upgraded navigation thanks to its dual AI camera. Both solid upgrades on what we previously named “the most well-rounded robot vac this year.”

Key specs:

• Dual-Joint UltraExtendArms: A first-of-its-kind for Dreame, these extendable arms allow the side brush to extend up to 12cm, and the mop system to reach up to 18cm. Helpful for corners, under furniture, between floorboards and along the skirtings.

• Dual AI Cameras with Proactive Blue Light: Recognises over 320 objects around your home, preventing furniture, cords, or toys from slowing down or clogging your device while in use.

• 42,000Pa Vormax Suction Upgrade and Anti-Tangle Brush: With 42,000Pa suction power, the X60 Ultra Extreme will pick up food crumbs, deep-seated dust, or dirt marks in seconds. Meanwhile, the anti-tangle brush prevents loose hair or thread from causing an issue.

• ProLeap 10cm Obstacle Clearing: You can rest easy knowing this robot vacuum won’t bump into your belongings with the industry-first FlexiAdapt obstacle crossing system.

Dreame T16 Pro TriForce: All-in-one wet-and-dry floor cleaning solution Credit: Supplied

Dreame’s non-robovac announcement at IFA was the upgraded T16 Pro TriForce, a wet-and-dry floor cleaner that the company claims will “transform how Australians tackle everyday messes,” thanks to its Triple Water-Driven Force system. This means the device can simultaneously sterilise, wash, and deodorise hard floors, making it an all-in-one cleaner for sticky floors and deeply embedded dirt.

Opens in a new window Credit: Supplied Dreame T16 Pro TriForce AU$1,499 at JB Hi-Fi
  Shop Now

Key specs:

• FoamWash Deodorising: Neutralises any odours (especially pet stains or drink spills) with a spray of mousse-like, floral-fruit scent foam.

• SaunaClean Steam Sterilisation: Equipped with 200°C steam sterilisation, deep-rooted stains and bacteria can be penetrated and removed for a fully hygienic clean.

• ThermoRinse Hot Water Mopping: 90°C Hot Water mopping using Dreame’s ThermoRinse technology, for cleaning up even stubborn oil and grease stains.

• Multi-spectral Sensor Dirt Detection: Uses optical sensors to detect debris and scuffs, automatically adjusting suction power and water flow based on surface conditions.

• TangleCut 2.0 Resilient Scraper: Clears shed hair from the brush roller to prevent internal clogs.

Dreame’s latest IFA lineup focuses on automating heavy-duty floor care through higher suction power, high-temperature steam mopping and wider mechanical reach. All three devices – the flagship X60 Ultra Extreme, the Aqua20 Ultra Roller steam mop and the T16 Pro TriForce wet-and-dry vacuum – are available in Australia from JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Dreame’s website.

Amazon is reportedly blocking Meta's new AI agent Muse from shopping. As spotted by GeekWire, people attempting to use Muse to buy products from Amazon are now being served with a warning that doing so violates the online marketplace's terms of use.

SEE ALSO: Google's new tech will let you buy stuff directly from an AI chatbot

Meta introduced its personal AI agent Muse earlier this month, billing it as a digital assistant that "doesn't just answer questions, it actually does the work."

"People just tell Muse what needs to get done, and it takes action, powered by Muse Spark, Meta’s most capable model to date, built for real-world agentic work like this," Meta wrote in its Sept. 8 announcement.

Such tasks include shopping, with Muse capable of paying for purchases using Link by Stripe. Meta further stated that it has plans to add Shop Pay as an alternate payment method (as well as 1Password support so you can give its AI the ability to use all your login credentials across all websites, if that was something you wanted to do). 

However, at least for now, Amazon won't be one of Muse's preferred retailers. GeekWire reports that consumers trying to use Muse to shop on Amazon have recently begun to see a popup stopping them from doing so. 

"Continued access by an unauthorized AI agent violates Amazon's Conditions of Use, to which our customers have agreed," the warning reads.

Amazon's Conditions of Use contains a section specifically relating to autonomous agents such as Muse, stating that they are barred from using its services unless they fulfil several transparency requirements. These include identifying themselves as a specific agent, not imitating or disguising themselves as humans, and not trying to circumvent Amazon's limits regarding how they interact with it. Amazon further reserves the right to limit or block agents' access at its own discretion.

In a statement to GeekWire, an Amazon spokesperson said that third-party applications such as Muse "should operate openly and respect service provider decisions about whether or not to participate." Meta's Muse allegedly fails to identify itself, as well as captures and stores Amazon users' credentials in a potential security concern. According to Amazon, Meta did not inform it that Muse would access its storefront, and as such received no authorisation to do so.

Mashable has reached out to both Amazon and Meta for comment.

Amazon is currently beta testing its own AI shopping agent Buy for Me, which is capable of purchasing products on users' behalf on its own platform as well as from third-party vendors.

Remember making elephant toothpaste in science class? You’d combine water, yeast, soap, hydrogen peroxide, and food coloring, and watch a tower of colorful foam erupt from a beaker. Not long after, the foam would subside, leaving nothing but soapy water and the fond memories of a brief foray into the world of chemistry.

Watching The Love Hypothesis is a lot like that.

Adapted from Ali Hazelwood’s novel of the same name, a BookTok favorite, The Love Hypothesis details the fake dating romance between biology PhD student Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart) and professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman). It's full of chemistry, both figurative and literal, and like the elephant toothpaste, it's a bubbly blast that'll have your insides fizzing. Yet despite this pure fun, not to mention two solid leading performances, The Love Hypothesis is missing one key ingredient that would truly make its experiment stick the landing: yearning.

SEE ALSO: Fall movie preview: All the 2026 films you need to know about The Love Hypothesis brings BookTok's fake dating fave to the screen. Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman in "The Love Hypothesis." Credit: Prime Video

Like Hazelwood’s book, itself reworked from her Reylo fanfiction, The Love Hypothesis cannily deploys several beloved romance tropes within the world of STEM academia, with fake dating chiefest among them.

Stanford PhD candidate Olive is a ball of sunshine who's as sweet as the sugar bomb coffees she loves to order. She cares deeply about her research into pancreatic cancer, as well as her found family: fellow students Anh (Rachel Marsh), Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), and Malcolm (Jaboukie Young-White). While Olive has harbored a crush on Jeremy, she also knows that he's interested in Anh, and vice versa. However, Anh refuses to date Jeremy because she doesn't want to hurt Olive. For Olive, that leaves her one choice: pretend to be dating someone else so Anh thinks she's over Jeremy.

Olive's lie spirals until she kisses the first man she can find in front of Anh. Unfortunately for her, that man happens to be the brilliant but intimidating Dr. Adam Carlsen. Due to his demanding nature and bluntness verging on rudeness, he's earned the nickname "Dr. Evil." That he only ever dresses in black does nothing to lessen the supervillain vibes. (One music cue tied to Adam sounds like a riff on "The Imperial March," a riff on The Love Hypothesis’ Star Wars roots.) 

SEE ALSO: 'Youth' review: HBO's coming-of-middle-age comedy is messy and moving, as only Sharon Horgan can

The pair's kiss could result in disaster. Surprisingly, though, Adam agrees to help Olive with her fake dating ruse. (Notably, he was never her professor, so The Love Hypothesis avoids those power dynamic issues.) This way, Anh and Jeremy will get the chance to get together. The arrangement also benefits Adam. Stanford believes he's a flight risk and might not renew funding for his research. If they know he has a serious girlfriend, they may reconsider. So begins Olive and Adam's fake relationship, which, as decreed by the laws of rom-coms, winds up being not so fake after all.

Avid The Love Hypothesis fans, you'll be happy to know that the film, directed by Claire Scanlon (Set It Up), captures several of the book's beloved details, including the unicorn socks Olive wears during her and Adam’s steamy first night together, aka the infamous Chapter 16. You'll also be overjoyed to see how Reinhart and Bateman bring the Adam-Olive pairing to life. Reinhart falls right into step alongside the leading ladies of rom-coms past, tempering Olive's klutzy quirks — she sweats a lot! — with her deeper desire to prove herself and maintain a lasting community, two needs that stem from a tough upbringing in the foster care system. Bateman, on the other hand, delivers almost every line with a clipped precision, which only makes the moments when Adam softens up around Olive all the clearer.

The two are a delightful pair, especially in classic fake dating scenarios where they have to pretend to truly love each other. A very public coffee shop date leads to squeal-worthy moments of cringe comedy, as do Olive's attempts to loudly fake laugh and flirt with an utterly confused Adam. However, somewhere between these disastrous first "dates" and the intimacy of the much-anticipated Chapter 16 sequence, The Love Hypothesis’s romance loses steam.

The Love Hypothesis could have used more yearning. Tom Bateman and Lili Reinhart in "The Love Hypothesis." Credit: Prime Video

A key component of any fake dating story is the moment the characters realize they may actually have developed real feelings (shout out to To All the Boys I've Loved Before). Cue the yearning, and with it, the angst that if they act on their feelings, they may irreparably damage the genuine connection they’ve developed. It's a delicious trademark of the trope, yet it’s sorely lacking in The Love Hypothesis.

The film sees Olive and Adam growing closer via a heart-to-heart about Olive's late mother, as well as a lode-bearing montage of fake dates and Adam helping Olive with an important presentation. But The Love Hypothesis rarely lets us in on their true feelings, never giving Olive or Adam a moment of interiority to consider their burgeoning romance. (Given that Hazelwood’s book keeps us inside Olive’s head the whole time, this omission feels especially glaring.) 

Instead, the movie expects us to make the leap because it expects us to be familiar with fake dating stories in general. "He’s starving," Malcolm remarks while watching Adam’s passionate goodbye kiss to Olive. Yet that level of being romantically famished is hard to find elsewhere in the film. By the time Chapter 16 rolls around, Olive and Adam's sex feels inevitable, but not earned. The same goes for the confessions of love in the third act, itself a wildly disjointed conclusion featuring such a sinister turn, you may get whiplash.

While The Love Hypothesis doesn’t entirely stick its landing, it still finds charm in the comedic chemistry of Olive and Adam’s first “dates.” Similarly to the elephant toothpaste, we'll always have those explosive first moments of the experiment, even if in the end, all we're left with is its watery remains.

The Love Hypothesis premieres Sept. 23 on Prime Video.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who watch baseball.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Going skiing

• Green: Popular figures seen at a baseball park

• Blue: Irish QBs

• Purple: Paired with baseball

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Equipment for Snow Activities

• Green: MLB Mascots

• Blue: Notre Dame QBs

• Purple: Baseball____

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 #729 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Equipment for Snow Activities: SKI, SLED, SNOWBOARD, TUBE

• MLB Mascots: BLOOPER, MR. MET, SLIDER, WALLY

• Notre Dame QBs: BOOK, CLAUSEN, QUINN, REES

• Baseball____: BAT, CAP, CARDS, REFERENCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 22, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 22 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 22 Pips

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 22 Pips

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (2): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this green space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 22, 2026 Accent meaning

A specific way of pronouncing a language that shows where a person is from.

Detail meaning

A small part, specific fact or individual item that makes up a larger whole.

Flourish meaning

To grow well, succeed or wave something around in a showy way.

Touch meaning

To make physical contact with someone or something.

Agree meaning

To have the same opinion.

Disagree meaning

To have a differing opinion.

Neutral meaning

Not taking sides or being involved in a conflict.

Other meaning

Additional, different or the remaining option.

That meaning

A word used as a pronoun, determiner relative pronoun or conjuction to point out a specific object.

These meaning

The plural demonstrative determiner of 'this.'

This meaning

A pronoun, determiner or adverb used to point out a specific person or thing.

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

Those meaning

A demonstrative determiner used to point out multiple people or things.

Cafe meaning

A small casual restaurant that serves coffee, tea and small bites..

Patron meaning

A person who supports an organization or cause.

Rose meaning

A coiled flower that typically comes in red, pink or white colors.

The meaning

A definite article that points out a specific noun.

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

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're being tested.

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 September 22, 2026 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: Point it out

• Green: Add a little flair

• Blue: Testing

• Purple: Quench your thirst

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Demonstratives

• Green: Embellishment

• Blue: Options on a multiple choice survey

• Purple: Beverages with acute accents removed

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 #1198 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Demonstratives: THAT, THESE, THIS, THOSE

• Embellishment: ACCENT, DETAIL, FLOURISH, TOUCH

• Options on a multiple choice survey: AGREE, DISAGREE, NEUTRAL, OTHER

• Beverages with acute accents removed: CAFE, PATRON, ROSE, THE

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

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love autumn.

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 September 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Day and night shift

The words are related to seasons.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe seasonal changes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fall Equinox.

NYT Strands word list for September 22

• Fall Equinox

• Transition

• Changeover

• Switch

• Progession

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to add fuel to the fire.

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 22, 2026 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 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Rekindle.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

STOKE

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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