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The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review: John Turturro gets the movie he deserves
John Turturro has a storied career that stretches across 45 years, and boasts unforgettable performances in iconic films like Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and the Coen Bros' The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? More recently, he awed streaming audiences with his bittersweet romance as Irving Bailiff in Apple TV+'s Severance, for which he's earned two Primetime Emmy nominations.
Across more than 100 films and television series, Turturro has played clowns and villains, lovers and bowlers. But in his latest, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, this heralded character actor and celebrated New York City native gets the role that he was born to play.
Writer/director Noah Segan entrusts Turturro with the leading man role in a crime thriller that evokes 1970s classics like Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three — movies that predate Turturro's screen career. And yet, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York doesn't feel like a throwback. Instead, this big-hearted and hard-nosed thriller bridges the gap between past and present with a modern awareness of how things change, even for a classic New York character.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York celebrates its city with every frame.It's a cliché to call a movie a love letter to New York. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is more of a confession of affection scribbled on the back of a way-too-long CVS receipt. It's passionate and a bit grimy, just like the city itself.
Turturro stars as Harry Lehman, an aging Bronx resident who's been a career criminal specializing in pickpocketing for decades. This day begins as any other, lifting a wallet from a finance bro on the subway. But times have changed. The city has moved away from paper money and toward Apple Pay and cryptocurrency. So, it's harder than ever for Harry to provide for his paralyzed wife, Rosie (Karina Arroyave). So, it seems like a boon when he successfully boosts the wallet of a smug 20-something named Dylan (Will Price). But while Harry is fencing the goods to his pawnbroker buddy Ben (a pitch-perfect Steve Buscemi), he learns this mark is practically made. Okay, so he's more of a nepobaby-gangster than a goodfella. But this is still bad news.
Harry's got to hustle to get back what he sold, or else Dylan and his posse of puffed-up Gen Z goons will kill Rosie. In this quest, Harry rides the train from the Bronx to Chinatown, to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, and up into cozy Queens, where big houses and yards shake up the presumed urban landscape. (Sorry, Staten Island, no time for you!)
In each place, Harry collides with a quintessentially New York figure, be it a no-nonsense neighbor (Echaka Agba), a shop owner (Kelvin Han Yee) more focused on his TV than a pesky customer, a wise-cracking detective (Giancarlo Esposito), a finger-wagging grannie (Lori Tan Chinn), or a slick-fingered could-be protégé (Mark Cayne). Like in classic '70s New York City cinema, each of these folks adds a new texture to this portrait of this messy and magical city. The cinematography by Sam Levy showcases this setting with a understated wonder B-roll of rumbling subways and bustling streets reflects Harry's never-say-die energy, as he strides out of pawn shops, police precincts, and community centers with an easy confidence. Before he dashes off, Levy's camera will zoom in, catching him as if he were a native animal on the run. Or else, a simple pan as Harry pauses to think reflects the big, urban world around him that won't stop for a moment.
This is not the romantic landscape of Manhattan showcased in countless rom-coms. The only view of the skyline or even NYC's rivers in this film is tinged with a sinister tone, as Harry and his detective friend recall an old thief whose head was found "bobbing in the Hudson!" The Only Living Pickpocket in New York instead captures a city that is both repulsive and beautiful, heartbreaking and inspiring. Segan even kicks off with a gut-punch of an opener, playing LCD Soundsystem's "New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down" at such an intensity that you can't escape the raw vulnerability in its lyrics or the trembling voice of James Murphy.
Before the title card hits, Segan shows he understands this city like a New Yorker. This is a place that will build you up and knock you down, over and over. And somehow — for those of us who truly love it — it feels like a privilege every time you get back up to try again.
John Turturro is perfection in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.This is a story of a man who's lived past his prime. A brassy score of trumpets and plinking piano puts Harry Lehman in the space of Travis Bickle, Popeye Doyle, or Transit Police Lt. Zachary Garber. But Segan's film willfully lacks the intensity of these reference points. That's because the Fear City days are behind New York, and Harry's hard edge has softened over the years of caring for his wife.
Harry, Rosie, Ben, and even Detective Warren are relics of a "bad days" era that they miss, because the days were rough, but the wild nights still make them smile. Now, kids half their age are talking about how the only worthwhile terrain for theft is through computers. But Harry doesn't even have a cell phone. A friendly stranger marvels when he knows a phone number "by heart." A crypto-bro chides him for not understanding he's part of "planned obsolescence." Over and over, the youth of this city are telling Harry that is time is over. There's a quiet resignation in his response, but even that doesn't mean he'll go down without a fight.
Turturro, who has famously seethed, snarled, and caterwauled to dramatic and comedic effect, plays closer to the vest here. When not lifting wallets, his long, agile fingers hide in the pockets of his tweed overcoat, its salt-and-pepper herringbone mirroring the color of his silvered, curly hair. Harry strives to not stand out, all the better to ply his craft. But he is coolly dashing. And in that, he has a facade of composure. But cuddled next to his wife, his passion burns. For her, he will coo and dance, showing that this old man still has moves. In front of old friends, he is gruff but caring. To their grandchildren, he is warm and paternal. And when confronted by mercurial thugs, he is alert and patient. Turturro offers a phenomenally nuanced performance that subtly speaks to what it takes to survive decades in this city.
When the Knicks won the NBA Championship this year, Turturro went viral for a dance he did at the celebration parade, candidly caught on camera. I thought of that scene throughout The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, not because his genuine joy in that moment is reflected in the movie, but because in both of these on-camera moments, Turturro succinctly captures what it is to be a New Yorker. It is grappling with grief and joy in the same crazy day. It is making a family of the misfits you treasure. It is embracing this city — and the outer boroughs — with appreciation and respect. It is building a life few can understand, and frankly, they don't need to. This is a space for all kinds of dreams, all kinds of people, and all kinds of ways to lose and win.
As a crime thriller, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is a solidly entertaining ride, being sharply paced, thoughtfully shot, and stacked with a terrific cast that also includes Tatiana Maslany. But more than just another fun crime movie set in New York City, this one is also resolutely aware of the greats who came before, paying tribute without aping them. And best of all, Turturro offers a turn that showcases his humor, sexiness, pathos, and a cutting subtlety that's absolutely riveting. In a career full of outstanding performances, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York offers one of Turturro's very best.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. It will open theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 23, then expand nationwide on Oct. 30.
A Talent for Murder review: Alden Ehrenreich gives sexy menace in this Patricia Highsmith-inspired thriller
Carol. Deep Water. Strangers on a Train. The Talented Mr. Ripley. American author Patricia Highsmith has inspired filmmakers for decades with her lurid tales of sex, deception, and murder. Now, she herself is a character in such a thriller, thanks to A Talent For Murder.
Adapted for the screen by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith from her own play, Switzerland, this film imagines what might have happened if Highsmith's biggest fan got the chance to meet his hero. Enter Edward Ridgeway (Tony winner Alden Ehrenreich), a handsome young man with carefully coiffed dark hair, a strong jaw, a pressed shirt, and polished glasses, but little poise. On a train through Switzerland, he seems like he stumbled out of the first chapter of a Tom Ripley novel, sure to be felled or corrupted by the iconic con man.
Now, the girl. Clementine Harriet Balfour (Olivia Cooke) is pretty, with a bouncy brunette bob, and a fashion sense that hints at an old-money family and independent ambitions. They meet as strangers on a train, but are sure to cross paths again in the small Swiss village where she's visiting a miserly dowager aunt (Juliet Stevenson), and he's tasked with getting Highsmith to sign a contract to write a sixth Ripley novel.
Director Anton Corbijn expertly lays out a spring-loaded trap that's sure to capture the interest of Highsmith fans. A handsome couple flirts, while wealth and opportunity glitter on the horizon. What might they do to get there?
Enter a surly Highsmith, played with gnarly certainty by the one and only Helen Mirren.
Helen Mirren is a deranged delight in A Talent for Murder.The English Dame has done Shakespeare and Prime Suspect; she's played Queen Elizabeth II and a Fast and Furious baddie with equal aplomb. Plus, just last year, she played a sultry spy in the cozy crime treat The Thursday Murder Club. But there's no lightness in Mirren's Highsmith.
In 1995, atop a Swiss mountain, the heralded author has become an eccentric recluse, rumored to have poisoned a neighbor's dog for barking too much, and to have driven an American man so mad he fled her home while only wearing his pajamas. Dressed in men's slacks, a crisp men's dress shirt, a cravat and vest, paired with a fuck-off bob, Mirren's Highsmith is imposing, even introduced ironing a shirt.
When Edward appears, eager with compliments, gifts, and talk of opportunity, she regards him with such scorching disdain the audience at the Toronto International Film Festival gasped and guffawed. The ruthless wit of the Ripley novels is sharply replicated in Murray-Smith's screenplay, and Mirren makes the most of every line, savoring the sharp barbs. To his credit, Ehrenreich doesn't balk in the face of this storied actress. And thank the gods, because failing to match her onscreen would make A Talent for Murder a miss. Instead, it's a twisted thrill: sexy, salty, and wickedly fun.
Alden Ehrenreich is hot and bothered in A Talent for Murder.Earlier this year, Ehrenreich earned praise and a Tony award for his phenomenal performance in the Broadway revival of Becky Shaw. Watching A Talent for Murder, I thought often of this stage performance, as his characters have a lot in common. Young men who've come from a family with no means and no reputation worth a damn, who both cozy up to a wealthy family, determined not just to enter their world but to rule it.
At first glance, Edward looks like Matt Damon's version of Ripley, from the juicy 1999 adaptation The Talented Mr. Ripley. His hair floppy but fashionable. His smile earnest but awkward. The eyeglasses, a perfect twin. This feels intentional, as if Corbijn wants Highsmith fans to immediately wonder if this eager social climber might have the root of evil in him, which could make Highsmith's criminal mastermind real.
Smartly, the screenplay doesn't pitch Edward as some rube. He's come ready to impress Highsmith, even if that means tantalizing her with twisted tales from his past, and the possibility of criminally corrupting him. Enticed by his game, the two begin to collaborate on a murder mystery about a blue-collar boy who meets an old-money girl, and is determined to make her family fortune his own. Their thought experiment gets joltingly real as Highsmith haunts him in the night and inspires him to treat the reckless heiress Clementine as source material.
From there, A Talent for Murder begins to blur what's real and imagined in pursuit of bringing fresh blood to Highsmith's typewriter. And it just wouldn't work if Ehrenreich weren't on fire. Where Mirren is delicious in her snarling cruelty (think Tilda Swinton in Problemista), Ehrenreich is intriguing in his slipperiness. Edward and Highsmith's imagined novel plays out as we watch, recasting the former as her anti-hero, with Clementine playing the role they write for her. In these sections, Ehrenreich has the smoothness of Ripley, his confidence edged with a misanthropic disgust at all who aren't as clever and calculating as he. But as Edward, Ehrenreich trembles with insecurity, particularly in a scene where he's delicately called out by an Irish lady (Brid Brennan), who spots him as an outsider from his shoes alone.
To her credit, Cooke is not outshone in the slim role of Clementine. Whether the imagined version where she is a yearning virgin or the real one, where she is a spoiled rich girl looking for a cheap thrill, she brings a full-blooded verve to this girl. Together, this trio weaves a tale of sex, death, and desire that touches on the best of Highsmith's works, without feeling like a shallow retread of them. Instead, A Talent for Murder plays like a superb fan fiction, imagining the inner world and grisly desires of the seminal author, without idolizing her or whitewashing her well-documented defects.
A Talent For Murder is darkly funny, freshly thrilling, and unrepentantly seductive. It's not a Ripley sequel, but it's damn close.
A Talent For Murder was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open in theaters on Oct. 23.
Best early Black Friday beauty deal: The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is $175.50 off at Amazon
SAVE $175.50: As of Oct. 23, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. is on sale for $534.49 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d. $534.49 at Amazon$709.99 Save $175.50 Get Deal at Amazon
Amazon has a new deal on the Dyson Airwrap i.d., which includes the Dyson Chitosan post-style serum.
If you're wanting to upgrade to the popular styling tool and pair it with the brand's own products, this is a great deal. As of Oct. 23, you can take home this bundle for $534.49, down from the usual $709.99. That's a discount of over $170.
The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is designed to make styling much easier, offering several styling functions in one device. Depending on the look you're after, you can use it to dry, curl, wave, smooth, or shape your hair, with attachments to help you switch between finishes.
One of the standout features of the Airwrap is its integration with the MyDyson app. Using Bluetooth, the tool can create a personalized styling routine based on your hair type and length, helping you achieve more consistent results each time you use it. Its styling technology is also designed to rely on airflow rather than extreme heat, so heat damage isn't a concern.
You can find this Dyson deal at Amazon right now.
Insta360 has launched an advanced wireless microphone for content creators — where to buy
TL;DR: The Insta360 Mic starts at $79.99 for a single transmitter, with receiver bundles priced at $139.99 for a 1TX + 1RX setup and $249.99 for the complete 2TX + 1RX kit. It combines a customizable E-Ink display, onboard microSD storage for 32-bit float backup recording, and AI noise cancellation.
Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 Mic Shop Now at AmazonInsta360 has spent the last few years dominating the action and 360 camera space, but even the crispest 8K footage gets ruined if the audio sounds like it was recorded inside a tin can. Enter the Insta360 Mic — the newest mid-tier option designed to bridge the gap between the budget-friendly Mic Air and the top-end Mic Pro.
Built for daily vloggers, travelers, weekend sports shooters, and podcasters, it brings high-end features down to an approachable level so you don't have to blow your whole budget on gear. Each transmitter rocks a customizable E-Ink display on the front, letting you upload your channel logo, personal brand, or even a photo of your pet to show off while filming.
Credit: Insta360An onboard microSD card slot lets you capture 32-bit float backup tracks directly to the transmitter. If audio suddenly spikes during a loud celebration or drops during a quiet moment, the massive dynamic range keeps the sound from clipping or distorting, giving you plenty of room to adjust levels during editing. You also get a dedicated NPU-based AI chip that strips out background chatter and ambient noise without making human voices sound like a compressed robot.
If you already shoot on Insta360 hardware like the X6, X5, Luna Ultra, or Ace Pro 2, the Direct Connect feature pairs the mic directly to your camera over Bluetooth, with no receiver required. Shooting on a phone or mirrorless DSLR instead? Simply plug the included receiver in using the USB-C adapter or 3.5mm jack for a traditional lavalier setup.
A single charge gets you up to 13 hours on the transmitter alone, and the charging case bumps the total runtime to 34 hours for long multi-day shoots. You can even sync four transmitters onto a single receiver, mixing and matching with older Mic Pro units, to handle group interviews or podcasts.
The Insta360 Mic is available today, starting at $79.99 for a standalone transmitter, $139.99 for a 1TX + 1RX kit, and $249.99 for the complete 2TX + 1RX bundle with the charging case.
Tesla cancels Cybertruck launch in Australia and New Zealand
Tesla's Cybertruck will no longer be released in Australia and New Zealand. The company announced its cancellation in these regions in an email to customers on Friday.
"After careful consideration, plans to produce the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued," Tesla wrote. "As a result, we're unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled."
SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.Drivers in Australia and New Zealand had been able to preorder Tesla's Cybertruck since it was initially unveiled in 2019. At the time, the company planned to start production in late 2021, eight years after CEO Elon Musk first teased the Cybertruck in 2013.
Now five years past the Cybertruck's previous manufacturing date, it seems that Australian and Kiwi customers' patient waiting has not borne the results they were promised. The Cybertruck has been removed from both Tesla's Australian and New Zealand websites, which now only offer the Model 3, Model Y and preorders for the Roadster.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Those eager to secure a Cybertruck had been required to pay a preorder deposit of $AU/NZ150. Fortunately, Tesla has stated that all such payments will be refunded. The company has also said that customers whose preorders were cancelled will be given a one-year subscription to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system — provided they buy a new Model 3 or Model Y instead.
(Despite its name, the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system does not enable Tesla's electric vehicles to autonomously drive themselves. Rather, it is a driving assistance feature that offers some automation, and still requires a driver to actively pay attention and control the car.)
RedditWhile some enthusiasts have been disappointed by the cancellation of their Cybertruck preorders, many other EV users are celebrating that it won't make it onto Australia and New Zealand's roads. Even users of the r/TeslaAustralia subreddit have shed few tears over the Cybertruck's cancelled plans in the country.
The Cybertruck has been widely derided as ugly since its introduction, with people likening it to everything from a child's drawing to low-poly video game graphics. Many have also been unimpressed by negative reports on the Cybertruck's build quality, the vehicle having been subject to multiple recalls in the U.S. where it is already available. Now drivers in Australia and New Zealand won't have to worry about it as well.
Reddit Reddit Reddit Reddit Reddit RedditSave $10 on the upcoming remake of Nintendos The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
TL;DR: Preorders for the physical version of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are $10 off at Amazon. Preorder your copy now for $59.88, and you'll also get a preorder price guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Digital) $59.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Physical) $59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11 Get Deal at Amazon
There are just a few weeks until Nintendo finally drops the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The game is officially out on Nov. 5, but Zelda fans have been excited for this game ever since the release of gameplay preview footage.
You can already preorder both the digital and physical copies at Amazon. Even better than that, you can already get a deal on the physical edition. It was originally priced at $69.99, but as of Oct. 22, it's down to $59.88 for total savings of $10.11. The digital version is available for $59.99.
As an extra incentive, Amazon is offering a price guarantee on preorders. That means that if the price changes between now and the point the game is released — when your card is actually charged — you'll pay the lowest price point from that period (in other words, if it drops to $55 before you receive the game, that's what you'll pay).
If you need another reason to preorder, Nintendo is also releasing special packaging with textured foil cover art as part of the first print run on the physical edition. It's a can't-miss deal for collectors and die-hard Zelda fans.
Hurdle hints and answers for October 23, 2026
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintShip bed.
Hurdle Word 1 answerBERTH
Hurdle Word 2 hintRule-breaker.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerREBEL
Hurdle Word 3 hintCompany.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 23, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerBRAND
Hurdle Word 4 hintSurpass.
Hurdle Word 4 answerOUTDO
Final Hurdle hintTherefore.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerHENCE
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 23, 2026
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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Pennant hopefuls
Green: Defunct baseball
Blue: GOAT Brewers
Purple: Championship MVP's
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: MLB Teams to Reach The League Championship Series This Year
Green: Former MLB Team Names
Blue: Brewers All-Stars, Historically
Purple: World Series MVPs, with The First Letter Changed
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 #760 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?MLB Teams to Reach The League Championship Series This Year: BREWERS, DODGERS, GUARDIANS, RAYS
Former MLB Team Names: BROWNS, DEVIL RAYS, EXPOS, PILOTS
Brewers All-Stars, Historically: FIELDER, FINGERS, SHEETS, WEEKS
World Series MVPs, with The First Letter Changed: CAMELS, EYE, MEAGER, METER
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.
NYT Pips hints, answers for October 23, 2026
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 PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 23, 2026The 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 23, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 23 PipsNumber (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 23 PipsGreater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.
Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 23 PipsNumber (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6 placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 23, 2026
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 October 23, 2026 Direct meaningExpressing opinions clearly, plainly and without beating around the bush.
Frank meaningSpeaking or acting with sincerity and directness,
Open meaningNot closed, blocked, sealed or covered
Vocal meaningRelating to, produced by, or intended for the human voice or speech.
Driver meaningA computer program that controls hardware.
Extension meaningAn extra part or allowance added to a main thing.
Plugin meaningA software component that adds specific features to an existing program or platform without changing its core code
Update meaningTo bring something or someone up to date by adding the newest information, making it more modern or providing recent facts
Double meaningWhen a word, phrase or sentence can be understood in two distinct ways at the same time
Love meaningA strong, deep emotional and mental state of affection, attraction or devotion toward a person, animal,or activity.
Phone meaningAn electronic device that lets two or more people talk to each other across a distance using wires or radio signals.
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Spinal meaningRelating to, or affecting the spine.
Distance meaningThe numerical measurement of how far apart two objects, points or places are.
Force meaningA push or a pull.
Power meaningThe ability, righto r political strength to govern, influence, or direct people, events or nations
Time meaningThe continuous progression of existence where events move forward from the past, through the present and into the future
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.
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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.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 23, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a math whiz.
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 23, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Don't beat around the bush
Green: Tech uploads
Blue: Mathematics
Purple: Lightly hit
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Forthright
Green: Things you install on a computer
Blue: Quantities in a formula for power
Purple: __ Tap
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 #1230 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayForthright: DIRECT, FRANK, OPEN, VOCAL
Things you install on a computer: DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN, UPDATE
Quantities in a formula for power: DISTANCE, FORCE, POWER, TIME
__ Tap: DOUBLE, LOVE, PHONE, SPINAL
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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for October 23, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong.
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 MashableBy 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 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: None of your beeswax!The words are related to curiosity.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe being in others' business.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Busy Body.
NYT Strands word list for October 23Nosy
Prying
Inquisitive
Snoopy
Eavesdropping
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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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 23, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you get nervous easily.
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 23, 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.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Quaver.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter L appears twice.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.
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...
TRILL
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.
I gave Home Assistant a physical color wheel, and now I flip through albums like it's 2008
I loved my first Walkman to the point where I used it until it fell apart, but my favorite music player was still my iPod. There was nothing quite like flipping through the albums in the Cover Flow view by spinning my thumb around the click wheel. When I found an old remote that had its own wheel-style input, I wondered if I could bring those days back.
Android batteries grew 5x since 2008, so why are we still charging every night?
The HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1) was the world's first commercially available Android smartphone, released back in October 2008 with a modest 1,150 mAh battery. If you used it moderately for calls, emails, and occasional web browsing, you were lucky enough to get through the day. Fast-forward to today: my daily Android phone packs a massive 5000 mAh battery, almost five times bigger than the HTC Dream, and has an efficient 3nm processor.
These cheap power tools were meant to be temporary, but they're still in my garage
For me, a cheap or budget power tool is one that runs between $30 and $100. Sometimes, I'll manage to get a deep discount on a tool, but I usually go for the less pricey ones. Most of the time, I'll pick up a tool to use temporarily, until I can afford a better-quality one or my wife lets me splurge. But surprisingly enough, there are a few inexpensive tools I bought for a temporary solution to a problem but have found them to be so useful I've hung onto them rather than finding a replacement.
3 entertaining HBO Max documentaries to watch this weekend (October 23-25)
HBO Max is always producing quality content. I recently enjoyed Lanterns, the DC Universe show that played like a season of True Detective. The streamer also has some riveting documentaries, including A Killer Story, one of the best docs released in September.
This GEEKOM mini PC makes me wonder why people even buy desktops
I've been building PCs for over 20 years, so naturally, I get why people do it: it's fun, and you get a great computer at the end. But beyond the fun, is there any reason to spend the time and money anymore when a plug-and-play mini PC can absolutely replace your daily driver for almost anything but gaming?
3 genuinely insane things I've done with the help of AI agents
AI agents have moved well beyond answering questions. They can now open folders, write code, and click through websites on your behalf. Here are three of the wildest things I’ve handed over to them, and what each one taught me about where this technology actually helps.
Anker Solix C200 DC power station is now $129.98 at Amazon — save over $20 before Black Friday
SAVE OVER $20: As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C200 DC portable power station is marked down to $129.98 at Amazon. That's $20.01 off its full price of $149.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker SOLIX C200 DC Portable Power Station $129.98 at Amazon$149.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal at Amazon
Anker isn't waiting until November to hop on the Black Friday bandwagon. The company has already dropped plenty of early deals for shoppers to check out, including portable power stations.
Over at Amazon, the Anker Solix C200 DC is marked down to $129.98. Compared to paying its full price of $149.99, this offer saves you just over $20. It's currently marked as a limited-time deal, so the clock is ticking to save.
SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026The Anker Solix C200 DC may be small, but it's still packed with power to keep your devices charged up while you're on the go. It comes with a 192Wh battery that delivers a 200W output, plus five charging ports to handle your tech: a 100W USB-C, a 140W USB-C, a 15W USB-C, and two 12W USB-A ports.
And speaking of taking it on the go, it's 39% smaller than similar power stations, so bringing it along on a camping trip won't feel like a hassle. This power station is also easy to recharge, with three options: a 140W USB-C PD 3.1 port, 100W solar panels, or a car socket.
Don't let a low battery get you down. Act fast to save on the Anker Solix C200 DC while it's on sale at Amazon.


