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The glory days of online dating could be over. According to a survey by Forbes Health, almost 80 percent of Gen Z daters reported feeling swipe fatigue. And what about dating IRL? That seems to be dying a death too, with fewer people now willing to risk asking someone out — you know, the way your parents used to date people — so what is a single person supposed to do in 2026? 

If you're over hookup apps but don't see yourself going to a singles bar anytime soon, there are online alternatives to consider. AdultFriendFinder, for instance, is an example of a legacy hookup site that dates back to way before the days of the Tinder-led swipe app phenomenon. It's old school, and it still works.

Indeed, legacy sites such as AFF tend to have robust communities and more extensive personal bios, which make them a worthwhile alternative to the swipe-based mechanics on other dating apps. 

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for more discreet chats in 2026

AdultFriendFinder was founded back in 1996, so it has three decades of hookup history. That experience is invaluable for connecting like-minded people seeking spicy fun. So, if you're burned out or striking out with apps, AFF is worth a closer look.

Let's get you started with a list of the pros and cons of AFF. If you're a Gen Z'er, this could swing it for you.

Pro: Built-in communities

Modern dating apps can be isolating. We all know the feeling: you're putting in the hours of swiping and liking, but you're just not getting anywhere. In other words: no matches. You might be carefully taking your time to assess compatibility with potential partners, only to find that all your attention hasn't been noticed or reciprocated. It's a total downer.

Thankfully, there are alternatives to this doom cycle. AFF cracked this code long ago: spaces where singles can meet in groups, have organic chats, and assess attraction more slowly and carefully, either through words, images, or webcam feeds. 

AdultFriendFinder has a Community tab, prominently displayed on the top-center ribbon, where you can interact with other users in public spaces such as blogs, contests, polls, stories, and interest groups. In addition, there's a Live Action tab where you can either broadcast your own webcam feed to attract interested viewers or join someone else's live feed if you catch their eye.

In all these cases, AFF has created pathways to connection that transcend the swipe, making it a great option for Gen Z daters dealing with app burnout.  

Con: Age distribution

One thing that's immediately striking upon logging into AdultFriendFinder is that the site hosts a wide range of ages, from the early 20s to the mid-60s and beyond. AdultFriendFinder has not responded to our requests for specifics about their age demographics, but past estimates have placed the majority demographic somewhere in the 30-38 age range, which means Gen Z, who are still not in their 30s, are not widely represented. 

In one sense, that's a definite con: you'll have a hard time meeting people your age. On the other hand, if you're not opposed to dating cross-generationally — and there's evidence that singles are becoming more open to this — this can work in your favor.

Pro: A site-only dating experience

Because it hosts nudity, AdultFriendFinder has never been allowed to offer an app in either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, and while there is a sneaky workaround for those who really want a phone experience, the truth is that a huge contributing factor to dating app burnout is the omnipresent nature of dating apps. If you can swipe on public transit, in between work sessions, at the gym, or on the toilet, you're never really away from the app. On the other hand, a dating website that requires a computer or tablet to access is a lot less accessible. 

If you can self-diagnose as suffering from swipe fatigue, compartmentalizing your dating life from, well, the entire rest of your existence is a good first step on the journey to recovery. It's also a good way to insist on taking the whole process seriously. It's easy to be casual about an app, especially one you can access anywhere, but navigating a dating site requires time and intention, both of which are the antidotes to the app burnout plaguing Gen Z. 

Con: Paid memberships are a necessity

In general, younger daters spend less on dates these days, so it's no small hurdle to ask them to drop precious cash on a monthly dating app subscription when there are other, totally free alternatives, but AdultFriendFinder offers some enticing, member-only perks, chief among them the ability to actually message people one-on-one. 

If you want to restrict yourself to a free membership, you can totally get away with it in public areas, where it's easiest to start conversations with strangers. But if you do happen to meet someone you vibe with, it will frustrate you that you can't take that conversation private. 

Subscription costs vary by location and the length of your commitment, but expect to pay between $20 and $35 per month for the Gold membership. It's not cheap, sure, but it's also a small sum to conquer swipe fatigue and give you a more community-based dating experience.

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TL;DR: The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus. Access these free livestreams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is officially kicking off in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, and if you are looking to catch every big hit, try, and high-stakes knockout match without spending big on a subscription, you're in luck.

Fans in Australia can watch every match live and free via Channel 7 and 7plus. Fans from other countries don't have it so easy, but there are some simple steps you can take to secure access to all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Rugby League World Cup?

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams. The latest edition of the Rugby League World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

The defending champions are Australia.

When is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is the 17th edition of the competition. This year's tournament starts on Oct. 15 and runs until the final on Nov. 15.

How to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

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

Access free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit 7plus

5. Watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the tournament before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $694.94 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $694.94 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

If you thought Pokémon TCG collectors were already losing their minds over 30th Celebration Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, Amazon just opened preorders for the crown jewel of the anniversary expansion: the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections.

Both high-end boxes are currently available for preorder at Amazon for $694.94 ahead of their official Nov. 6 release date.

As the ultimate flagship products for the 30th Celebration set, both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, the real driver behind the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards:

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon): Includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat.

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon): Includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

The big question when buying trading cards on Amazon is whether or not you're actually getting value for money. Amazon is a reliable pick for finding readily available stock, but you often pay above market price.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $561.42, so there's a decent markup from Amazon here. The market price for the Night Box is $687.73, so the convenience of Amazon actually makes sense in this case.

TL;DR: Physical preorders for Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are already $10 off at Amazon. Preorder for $59.88 and get a preorder price guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Digital) $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop 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

We're edging closer and closer to the Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The official release date is Nov. 5, but Zelda fans are already buzzing thanks to the first-look gameplay footage.

Preorders for both the digital and physical copies are already available at Amazon. The digital version costs $59.99. The physical edition was initially priced at $69.99 but has been reduced to $59.88 — great news for those of us who prefer to have the actual game in our hands.

There's another good reason to order from Amazon, as the retailer is offering a preorder price guarantee. That means if the deal changes between now and when you're charged, you'll pay the lowest price point between when you order and when you receive the game.

If you're a serious Zelda fan, it's worth getting that preorder in soon.

Nintendo has revealed that the first print run of the physical edition will come with "special packaging that features textured foil cover art." That's one for the collectors, who will also love the Legend of Zelda-themed hardware coming this fall to mark the franchise's 40th anniversary. That will include a special-edition Switch 2 console, a Pro Controller, and a carrying case, all out Oct. 29.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley has stated that the controversial surveillance company would "immediately" stop partnering with any clients who abused its systems, including law enforcement agencies. However, he also claimed that Flock has not yet found any cause to do so, arguing that all incidents thus far have been the fault of a small number of bad actors within organisations.

SEE ALSO: An officer's use of Flock cameras was 'unconstitutional,' judge rules

Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt on Wednesday, Langley attempted to allay widespread concerns that Flock could be facilitating mass surveillance and violations of privacy. There have been multiple instances of U.S. law enforcement officials being charged with abusing Flock's system, using it to stalk, harass, and surveil people without just cause. However, Flock has not cancelled its partnerships with any clients.

"Most of the debate is nuanced into 'what if two officers out of 50 were caught?'" said Langley. "Today, we haven't fired any customers, but it's not off the table in the case of some pretty drastic law-abiding issue."

According to the public interest law firm Institute for Justice, there have been over 240 incidents of U.S. law enforcement abusing automated license plate readers such as Flock's since 2021. Many cases involve officers tracking women or former partners.

Earlier this month, a U.S. federal judge found that an officer conducted an unconstitutional warrantless search of a driver after using Flock cameras to track their recent movements. Flock appeared to stand by the officer's use of its technology, with a spokesperson saying the company expected the ruling would be appealed and overturned.

Flock CEO claims microphones detect gunshots, not voices

Langley also spoke about Flock's surveillance microphones, stressing that they are targeted at detecting gunshots and do not monitor people's conversations. Formerly known as Raven, Flock's Gunshot and Audio Detection system is designed to recognise the sound of specific types of events, including gunfire, street takeovers, and car crashes. Flock says it can also differentiate between fireworks and gunshots to reduce false alarms.

"We said, 'OK, great, it's just going to do gunshots, plain and simple'," Langley said, as reported by TechCrunch. "If a gun goes off, we'll notify, and if not, that's all it's going to listen to."

Though Langley stated that Flock's system only detects gunfire, a spokesperson later clarified to TechCrunch that this is merely its primary focus, confirming that it also picks up fireworks, street takeovers, and vehicular accidents.

Flock had advertised its Gunshot and Audio Detection system as being capable of picking up human screaming and distress when introducing the feature last year. The company subsequently removed this feature following objections from privacy advocates, who voiced concerns about Flock listening in to every loud public interaction — a function that could enable mass surveillance.

"Gunshot Detection is designed to recognize specific sound events, not people," Flock wrote in a July blog post announcing that it was removing human screaming detection. "The system cannot understand speech, analyze language, or identify voices. It doesn't now, and it never has."

According to Flock, its Gunshot and Audio Detection system works by constantly analysing ambient audio on-device in three-second windows. The audio isn't saved if there is nothing of interest, but if there is a sound that matches what it's looking for, such as a gunshot or tyres screeching, the system will record the audio and send an alert to the relevant parties.

Despite such assurances from Flock, widespread concerns remain about its systems' implications for privacy and mass surveillance. Distrust toward the company has prompted activists to protest, map camera locations, and even vandalise Flock's hardware.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 15-16. Mystery and Crime Collection, hosted by Book Below, offers free mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and crime books.

We're only a week on from the spooky Stuff Your Kindle Day event hosted by Indie Visible, and now we've got another opportunity to stock up on reads without spending anything. That's right, Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again. And this time, the focus is on mystery and crime.

Mystery and Crime Collection, hosted by Book Below, is offering free mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and crime books until Oct. 16. Everything you download is yours to keep forever, so there really is no reason to hold back. Take this as your sign to significantly add to your TBR pile without any guilt.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Mystery and Crime Collection takes place from Oct. 15-16. This two-day giveaway shouldn't be super stressful. It won't cause the same level of panic as a 24-hour event, but you still need to be prepared.

Which books are free?

Mystery and Crime Collection promises to deliver "an incredible selection of suspenseful novels that will keep you guessing until the very last page." The hub page makes things very easy for participants by outlining the incredibly simple process:

• Browse free books

• Click store link

• Download free book

It really is that easy.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

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: Get the Motorola Razr+ for free   Shop Now

We know that Apple recently launched new iPhones and preorders for the iPhone Duo are dropping soon, but not everyone is totally obsessed with Apple. Believe it or not, there is actually life outside the Apple bubble.

Check out T-Mobile, and you'll soon discover that the free iPhone deals have largely disappeared. That's a shame, but do not fear. You can still pick up Motorola's latest handset for absolutely nothing. And the process of claiming this free phone is reassuringly straightforward. You don't even need to trade anything in to qualify.

For a limited time, the Motorola Razr+ is available for free with T-Mobile. To claim the new Motorola Razr+ for free, simply activate a new line on its Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, you can get the Motorola Razr for free when activating a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

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 also need to pay taxes and a one-time $35 connection charge.

In the market for a new phone but don't fancy jumping on board the Apple bandwagon? T-Mobile has you sorted with a couple of standout Motorola Razr deals this week.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI’s all-in-one platform featuring GPT, Claude, Gemini, AI writing, image editing, PDF, and audio tools for $69.97 (reg. $540) through Oct. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $69.97
$540 Save $470.03   Get Deal

AI subscriptions aren’t cheap, but it’s manageable if you only use one model like ChatGPT. However, if you need tools for generating images, writing copy, analyzing documents, or translating between languages, a platform like 1min.AI is a more viable option.

1min.AI gives you lifetime access to some of the most popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and many others. It’s also only $69.97 (reg. $540) for a lifetime subscription, available today only as part of the extended Deal Days sale.

1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects.

There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations. For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.

Here’s a small sample of the AI models you’ll get access to:

• GPT-5.5 Pro

• Claude 4.1 Opus and Claude 4.5 Sonnet

• Gemini 3.1 Pro

• Llama 3

• Mistral models

The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month.

The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.

It’s only $69.97 (reg. $540) to get a 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, but only through Oct. 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for those who've participated in team sports.

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.

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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.

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

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

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

• Yellow: Assist

• Green: Score

• Blue: Perfect pitchers

• Purple: Coverings

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Deliver the Ball to a Teammate

• Green: Places Where One Scores

• Blue: MLB Pitchers to Throw a Perfect Game

• Purple: ___Mask

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 #752 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Deliver the Ball to a Teammate: DISH, DISTRIBUTE, GIVE, PASS

• Places Where One Scores: END ZONE, GOAL, HOOP, PLATE

• MLB Pitchers to Throw a Perfect Game: BROWNING, CAIN, CONE, LARSEN

• ___Mask: CATCHER'S, FACE, GOALIE, PROTECTIVE

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 the latest 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 October 15, 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 October 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 15 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 15 Pips

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

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

Equal (4): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add up to 20. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 15 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (14): Everything in this space must be greater than 14. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 4-6, 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.

TL;DR: Watch Benfica vs. Celtic in the Europa League for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Europa League kicked off with a disappointing defeat for Celtic, and now they face a tough Benfica side at the Estádio da Luz. Benfica won their opening game and will come into this clash with a lot of confidence. It could be a long night for Celtic.

If you're interested in watching Benfica vs. Celtic in the Europa League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Benfica vs. Celtic?

Benfica vs. Celtic in the Europa League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 15. This fixture takes place at the Estádio da Luz.

How to watch Benfica vs. Celtic for free

Benfica vs. Celtic in the Europa League is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Benfica vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Benfica vs. Celtic for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Benfica vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Benfica vs. Celtic without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Europa League?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

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

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

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

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

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

Skilled.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

ADEPT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Clear glue.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

RESIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Chill out.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 15, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

RELAX

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Picture border.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FRAME

Final Hurdle hint

Baby bird.

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

OWLET

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 October 14, 2026 Base meaning

The lowest part or foundational support of an object, structure or system.

Bottom meaning

The lowest point or base of an object, page, stair or container.

Foot meaning

The lowest part or foundation of an object, structure or landscape.

Foundation meaning

A supporting base, structure or organization that holds up or gives rise to something else, depending on the context.

Basket meaning

A lightweight container made of interwoven materials like twigs, wood, straw, plastic or wire used for holding, packing or carrying items.

Goal meaning

A desired result, purpose or endpoint that a person or organization envisions, plans and commits to achieve through focused action.

Run meaning

To move on foot faster than a walk, with both feet leaving the ground at points during each step.

Touchdown meaning

A major scoring play in football or rugby.

Cannon meaning

A large, heavy-caliber gun or artillery piece designed to launch heavy projectiles using an explosive chemical propellant like gunpowder.

Forge meaning

To build, form, or establish something strong and lasting through hard work.

Racine meaning

The underground part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients.

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Volley meaning

Hitting, kicking or returning a ball while it is still in the air, before it touches the ground..

Cure meaning

A treatment or medicine that permanently gets rid of a disease or medical condition so the patient recovers completely..

Dry meaning

Free from, lacking or depleted of water, liquid or moisture.

Pickle meaning

A cucumber preserved in a solution of salt water or vinegar.

Smoke meaning

A collection of tiny solid, liquid and gas particles suspended in the air.

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 the latest Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a good cook.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 15, 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: Cooking techniques

• Green: Game winner

• Blue: Floor

• Purple: Natural landscapes

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Ways to preserve food

• Green: Things you can score in sports

• Blue: Lowest part

• Purple: Low landforms with a letter changed

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 #1222 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ways to preserve food: CURE, DRY, PICKLE, SMOKE

• Things you can score in sports: BASKET, GOAL, RUN, TOUCHDOWN

• Lowest part: BASE, BOTTOM, FOOT, FOUNDATION

• Low landforms with a letter changed: CANNON, FORGE, RACINE, VOLLEY

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 the latest Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a sea lover.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Sailor's guide

The words are related to luminescence.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe exactly as the hint implies: Beams that lead seamen.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Lighthouse.

NYT Strands word list for October 15

• Beacon

• Staircase

• Lighthouse

• Dome

• Lantern

• Tower

• Gallery

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not very bright.

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 15, 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:

Idiot.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DUNCE

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 the latest Wordle.

Googlebooks have arrived as the next-generation successor to Chromebooks, with native Android app integration, a bevy of AI features, and a new, supposedly more powerful local file system. Look no further for all the details you need on that last point; here's how to find all your files in Googlebook OS, including everything you've downloaded.

Let’s be honest: I’m bored with Google Maps and Spotify. On my phone, in my car, everywhere.

Most of us have ruined a project by driving a screw half an inch too deep into drywall or snapping the head right off a brass fastener. It is easy to blame a cheap screw or an overeager trigger finger, but most of the time the problem is the collar right behind the chuck that you've been ignoring. I once added a wooden beam to my bed for extra support, and I had to buy a new beam because I didn't realize how important the clutch was. Once you know how that collar works, you'll have a lot more control over your drill, and it could save you a lot of money.

You put on a playlist to find something good to listen to. Checking whether the singer exists wasn’t supposed to be part of the process. But a song these days can fit your taste perfectly and still leave you wondering who, or what, made it.

This week, two music streaming services — Google’s YouTube Music and the French platform Deezer — announced features that could make that question easier to answer. YouTube Music is adding labels to AI-generated songs, while Deezer will let listeners filter fully AI-generated music out of search results.

For listeners who have been opening artist profiles and hunting for evidence of an actual musician, that could mean considerably less homework.

What’s changing when you press play?

YouTube says the new labels respond to something listeners have been asking for: "As these tools evolve, our listeners have told us they want transparency when they’re hearing an AI-generated track," the company wrote.

Starting Oct. 14, those labels will appear directly on YouTube Music’s player for songs created primarily using generative AI, including generated compositions and vocals. Tapping the label opens more information about the track. YouTube says it is working with music partners and using its own detection tools to identify AI-generated songs, with the labels also coming to the main YouTube app.

Credit: Screenshot: YouTube News

Deezer is offering an additional choice: leave those songs out of your search altogether. "We’ve seen a clear user demand for the ability to filter out AI-generated music," Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier said in the company’s Oct. 14 announcement.

The toggle will launch worldwide before the end of 2026. Switch it on, and fully AI-generated tracks, albums, and related artists will disappear from search results. Switch it off, and they’ll be accessible again.

Deezer already keeps detected AI-generated songs out of algorithmic and editorial recommendations, so the toggle extends that control to music you actively search for. It targets fully generated music; songs with limited AI assistance within a broader human creative process are treated differently.

If you listen on Spotify or Apple Music, the approach looks a little different already. Spotify’s "AI Persona" badges, announced in Aug. with a rollout starting in mid-Sept., identify artist profiles depicting photorealistic AI-generated people. Spotify also said it would exclude those personas from editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default. The badge answers whether the artist’s public identity is synthetic, though it doesn’t specify how the music was made.

Apple Music’s reported "Transparency Tags," on the other hand get more specific about where AI was used, allowing labels and distributors to disclose generated content in recordings, compositions, artwork, and music videos. But that system relies on the companies delivering the music to declare it. An AI-generated album cover and an AI-generated vocal can receive different tags — provided someone reports them in the first place.

Your ears can only tell you so much

You don’t have to go looking for AI music to find it. Sometimes, your streaming service brings it to you.

That’s what happened to Mashable's Features Editor Rachel Thompson when Spotify’s Smart Shuffle slipped an AI-generated funk song into her queue. It fit alongside music she already liked, and she discovered how it was made only after investigating the artist. That’s a lot to ask of someone who just wants to listen to some funk!

SEE ALSO: Spotify Smart Shuffle played a song I'd never heard before. It was AI generated.

But there’s a reason the song didn’t immediately stand out: in a Deezer/Ipsos blind test published in Nov. 2025, 97 percent of participants couldn’t correctly distinguish two AI-generated songs from a human-made one.

Once you start digging, though, even the usual signs of an established artist can leave you guessing. The Velvet Sundown attracted hundreds of thousands of Spotify listeners in 2025, complete with promotional images and song credits. Yet its supposed members had virtually no traceable existence beyond those suspiciously polished pictures, and the credits listed the band itself without naming a producer.

A label could put that information where listeners encounter the song, before they’ve opened an artist profile or searched for a band member. And plenty of people want that heads-up: in the same Deezer/Ipsos survey, 80 percent wanted fully AI-generated music labeled, while 45 percent of streaming users wanted the option to filter it out.

Credit: Spotify screenshot / The Velvet Sundown There’s money behind all those uploads

A song showing up in your queue is one thing. That song collecting royalties from thousands of fake listeners is another.

Deezer says it receives nearly 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks daily, but they account for just 1 to 3 percent of its streams. And even those plays aren’t necessarily coming from people: the company says up to 85 percent of streams of fully generated tracks were fraudulent in 2025.

North Carolina musician Michael Smith turned that gap between uploads and actual listeners into a multimillion-dollar scheme. On Oct. 6, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said he generated hundreds of thousands of songs using AI, then had automated accounts stream them billions of times, collecting more than $8 million in fraudulent royalties.

The sheer number of songs helped him get away with it. By spreading the plays across thousands of tracks, Smith avoided drawing attention to any single one. Those streams pulled money from a shared royalty pool that, according to prosecutors, would otherwise have gone to musicians and songwriters with real audiences.

But "who gets paid?" gets complicated even when bots aren’t involved. A virtual artist’s face doesn’t tell you whose voice or writing you’re hearing.

Take FN Meka. In 2022, Industry Blackout criticized the virtual rapper for appropriating Black artists’ mannerisms and reproducing racist stereotypes, and Capitol Records subsequently dropped the project. Rapper Kyle the Hooligan also said he had supplied its voice without ever being paid. (Factory New co-founder Anthony Martini later clarified that humans had written and performed FN Meka’s vocals, walking back earlier claims about AI’s involvement.)

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That’s where a simple AI badge can run out of answers: It might flag the character or the recording without explaining who contributed what.

Still, YouTube Music’s labels and Deezer’s filter give listeners a place to start. A heads-up on the player could spare you a trip through an artist’s profile, while a search filter lets you decide whether you want fully generated music in the results at all.

How useful those controls become will depend on what platforms can reliably identify. If a song has no label, does that mean it’s human-made, or that it hasn’t been detected yet? And when human lyrics meet generated vocals, will the disclosure explain the mix?

For now, the promise is straightforward: finding something good to listen to could involve less detective work. The next step is making sure the information on your screen answers the questions that sent you searching in the first place.