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The best early October Prime Day MacBook deals at a glance: Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 (save $150) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $4,499 (save $500) Get Deal

Genuinely good MacBook deals have been harder to come by in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes. But I have a feeling that will change during Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's 48-hour fall savings event for Prime members on Oct. 6 and 7.

"October Prime Day," as the sale is often called, serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Last year, it brought us $200 discounts on the MacBook Air and savings of up to $400 on select MacBook Pros — the same sorts of deals we later saw on Black Friday 2025. If Amazon replicated those offers next week, we'd be seeing our lowest MacBook prices since Apple's markups took effect.

SEE ALSO: 30+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Bose, Lego, and Apple

In the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, most MacBooks are already on sale (including the budget MacBook Neo, if only by $10). I wouldn't add most of them to your cart just yet, since they'll probably get bigger discounts once the sale starts. But if you don't want to wait, you can already save hundreds on select models.

Read on for my running list of the best early October Prime Day MacBook deals so far.

The best October Prime Day deal on the MacBook Air (so far) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $150   Get Deal

The latest M5 MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner and one of our top-reviewed products of the year. In his testing, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth found the M5 chip to be ridiculously powerful (probably more powerful than the average Air customer really needs, TBH). It also has a fantastic display, a great-sounding speaker system, and a sharp Center Stage webcam.

If you need a new MacBook Air, and you need it now, Amazon's best live deal is going to a 13-inch model with 16GB of RAM and a terabyte of storage. Normally $1,599, it's now on sale for $1,449 (or $150 off). That offer wasn't being matched by any other retailer at the time of writing, FWIW.

More MacBook Air deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,254 $1,299 (save $45)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,449 $1,599 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,731 $1,799 (save $68)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,727 $1,799 (save $72)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,922 $1,999 (save $77)

The best October Prime Day deal on the MacBook Pro (so far) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $4,499 at Amazon
$4,999 Save $500   Get Deal

The M5 Max chip is Apple's most powerful laptop CPU to date. It's designed to handle the ultra-demanding workloads of "pro users" like "3D animators, app developers, and AI researchers," according to a company press release.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can save $500 on a beefy 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max chip, 48GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. (This is the fanciest MacBook Amazon sells.) It typically retails for $4,999, but you'll pay $4,499 — a 10% savings. That deal isn't being matched anywhere else, either.

As mentioned up top, Amazon's October Prime Day MacBook Pro deals usually max out at $400ish. With that in mind, this is one deal that probably won't improve down the road.

More MacBook Pro deals

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,839 $1,999 (save $160)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,039 $2,199 (save $160)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,351.99 $2,499 (save $147.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,699 $2,999 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,258.99 $2,399 (save $140.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,814 $2,999 (save $185)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Pro, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,367 $3,599 (save $232)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,842 $4,099 (save $257)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,117 $4,399 (save $282)

MacBook Neo deals

• Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $689 $699 (save $10)

• Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $789.99 $799 (save $9.01)

Best early Prime Day deals under $25: Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds $20.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best smart home deal Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 Pack) $17.99 (save $8) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro (newest model) $19.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Programmable (5-cup) $24.99 (save $23) Get Deal

In case you haven't noticed, it's gotten expensive to simply exist. Between astronomical gas prices (it was literally $4.20 a gallon the other day, and I'm in the South!), groceries, and, of course, rent, finding any deal is a win in my book — which is exactly why we're already tracking down the best early Prime Day deals for under $25.

SEE ALSO: I found 3 AirPods deals live ahead of October Prime Day (and 3 to wait for)

October Prime Day, officially known as Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't officially start until Tuesday, Oct. 6, but a lot of the best under-$25 steals we saw during June's Prime Day are live again right now.

So if you're sticking to a budget, you might want to get these to your cart ASAP before they sell out. And be sure to check back, as we'll be updating and adding new $25-and-under finds as more discounts drop.

Best deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Mr. Coffee Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Programmable (5-cup) $24.99 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $23.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Humanity did something special when it created the programmable coffee maker. This mini Mr. Coffee version is perfect for a one to two-person household, with the compact design taking up minimal counter space. In addition to the programmable brew time, this maker also comes with an auto pause feature so you can grab a cup mid-brew, and an auto-off feature, which turns off the maker after two hours. At $24.99, it's nearly half off its list price of $47.99. It's basic, but it gets the job done — and isn't that exactly what you want out of your coffee experience?

More deals under $25 Opens in a new window Soundcore P20i earbuds $20.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $19.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 at Amazon
$17.95 Save $2.96   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd gen) $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: INIU INIU 10000mAh 45W Power Bank $21.59 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $2.40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid $23.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $6   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab Go Air Pop+ Earbuds $24.99 at Amazon
$26.99 Save $2   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Skullcandy Skullcandy Dime 3 Earbuds $24.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $17.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $8   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA-Free Food Storage Containers (3 set) $19.93 at Amazon
$31.65 Save $11.72   Get Deal

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium for Mac is $79.99 (reg. $139.99), which saves you 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $79.99
$139.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

PDFs are easy to open and hard to change. Fixing one typo in a contract can mean hunting down another app. Sometimes it means paying for another subscription too.

PDF Expert Premium from Readdle handles those jobs on your Mac. For a limited time, a lifetime subscription costs $79.99.

You can edit text directly in a PDF, swap in new images, and add links. Annotation tools let you highlight passages, leave notes in the margins, and stamp documents for review. You can also merge files, split them apart, and rearrange or rotate pages.

The conversion tools work in both directions. PDF Expert can turn PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, and image files. It can also turn JPG, PNG, and Office files into PDFs. On top of that, you can fill out forms, add your signature, and black out confidential details before you send a file.

Scanned documents get help too. Text recognition (OCR) makes scans searchable, so you can highlight and copy text from them. The scan tools can also remove shadows, fix distortion, and split double-page scans into separate pages. If most of your work happens on a Mac, it’s a practical tool to have on hand when you need it.

A few things to know before you buy. This subscription is for new PDF Expert users only, and it requires macOS 12.0 or later. You’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase. After that, you can use it on an unlimited number of personal Mac devices. Readdle continues to provide support and bug fixes, but some new features may cost extra later on.

If you’d rather pay once than pay per month, this is worth a look. Get a lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium for Mac for $79.99 (reg. $139.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is on sale for a one-time $49.97 (reg. $249.99) through Oct. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$249.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Paying for productivity software every month isn’t the only way to get Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows is currently on sale for only $49.97 (reg. $249.99) through Oct. 4. You get a perpetual license for one compatible Windows PC.

The distinction that matters here is how the license works. Unlike a Microsoft 365 subscription with ongoing fees, this is a one-time purchase. The license is connected to the specific device rather than your Microsoft account, so it’s designed for someone who wants Office on one Windows computer and doesn’t need a transferable license.

You get six core Microsoft applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access. Office 2024 Professional Plus is designed around stability and consistent functionality, without frequent feature changes. That can make it particularly useful for business environments, regulated industries, or anyone who simply prefers software that doesn’t constantly change underneath them.

There are also advanced tools for data analysis and database management, built-in security and compliance capabilities, and an updated interface with dark mode support. The suite is designed to run efficiently across compatible hardware while providing predictable long-term support.

There is one important compatibility detail to check before buying: this license is strictly for Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. It does not work with Macs or macOS.

For a Windows PC that needs Office for the long haul, Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is just $49.97 through Oct. 4.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Babbel lifetime access is just $159 (reg. $299) through Oct. 6 with StackSocial code LEARN.

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

Language apps can give you plenty of vocabulary drills, but understanding how people actually communicate takes more than memorizing words. More than 100 expert linguists developed Babbel, bringing a distinctly human element to its approach to language learning.

That expertise goes into more than 10,000 hours of online language education across 14 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Norwegian, and more. Lessons take about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to fit practice into a normal day instead of turning language learning into another major commitment.

More importantly, the material focuses on situations where you’ll actually want to use what you’ve learned. Topics include dining, transportation, shopping, business, directions, and making friends. Babbel also incorporates speech recognition technology for pronunciation, personalized review sessions to reinforce previous lessons, and an AI Conversation Partner for real-time practice.

You can choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced material and move between your smartphone, tablet, and computer while keeping your progress synced. Heading somewhere without Wi-Fi? Courses, lessons, and review items can be downloaded beforehand for offline learning.

And there’s plenty of room to change your mind about what you want to learn. Lifetime access covers all 14 languages rather than locking you into just one.

Get in on the chance to learn for life with a one-time purchase.

For new users in the U.S., Babbel Language Learning Lifetime access is $159 (reg. $299) through Oct. 6 with the StackSocial code LEARN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

16. The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Thomas Randolph is known as a Black Widower, convicted of killing one wife, but suspected of much more. He was previously the topic of The Black Widower: The Six Wives of Thomas Randolph, and now here's his Netflix doc, The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part. 

Directed by Tiger King producer Chris Smith, this film not only explores how Randolph hired a man to kill his wife (and then committed a deadly double-cross), but also how Randolph tried to use the media to his favor. For the latter, Smith offers retrospective interviews with American journalist and Dateline producer Dan Slepian. But be warned, as true-crime docs go, this one is surprisingly dull, even with such shocking subject matter. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: The Widower: ‘Til Death Do Us Part is now streaming on Netflix. 

15. Coven Academy

Looking for some witchy YA action to start your October off right? Then check out Coven Academy, about a trio of witches learning to control their powers at an elite New Orleans magic school. Based on the trailer, the show is American Horror Story: Coven for younger audiences, and viewers are in for impressive displays of magic, as well as the promise of a witch-warlock-vampire love triangle. — B.E.

Starring: Malina Weissman, Malachi Barton, Tiffani Thiessen, Louis Thresher, Jordan Leftwich, Ora Duplass, Brendon Tremblay, Swayam Bhatia, Keegan Connor Tracy, and Devon Sawa

How to watch: Coven Academy premieres Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform, and the full season is available Oct. 2 on Hulu and Disney+.

14. The Sisters Grimm Season 2

Fairy tales come true in The Sisters Grimm, Apple TV's animated children's series based on the best-selling books by Michael Buckley. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm (voiced by Ariel Winter and Leah Newman) are descendants of the legendary Brothers Grimm. When their parents mysteriously disappear, they move to the town of Ferryport Landing, where fairy tale characters live in plain sight. In Season 2, the sisters must investigate a spate of disturbing attacks at their school, which may bring them closer to finding their parents and bringing them home. — B.E.

Starring: Ariel Winter, Leah Newman, Laraine Newman, Abubakar Salim, Billy Harris, and Harry Trevaldwyn

How to watch: The Sisters Grimm Season 2 premieres Oct. 2 on Apple TV.

13. Scrubs Season 2

Check back into Sacred Heart Hospital this week, as the Scrubs revival returns for a second season. The original show's mainstays — J.D. (Zach Braff), Turk (Donald Faison), and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) — are all back and still learning new valuable lessons, all while teaching the next generation of medical students. They aren't the only familiar faces who are back: This season, Scott Foley reprises his role as Sean Kelly. — B.E.

Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and Ava Bunn

How to watch: The two-episode premiere of Scrubs Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu.

12. Lego One Piece

Can't wait for the next installment of Netflix's live-action One Piece series? Then relive the magic in this two-part Lego special, which retells the tale of the Straw Hat Pirates from Usopp's (voiced by Jacob Romero) point of view. We're sure he'll be nothing but accurate, right? — B.E.

Starring: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero, Taz Skylar, Charithra Chandran, Mikaela Hoover, Katey Sagal, Jeff Ward, and Callum Kerr

How to watch: Lego One Piece is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Uprising

Andrew Garfield says "no kings" in The Uprising, the latest from director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy). The film tells the story of England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt, with Garfield playing a fictionalized farmer at the center of it all.

While The Uprising's tale of standing up to tyranny is timely, critics found the film's execution lacking. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Greengrass gives us a bland, muddy slog with a black-and-white hero and villain, and an ending that is sure to satisfy no one." — B.E.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, and Katherine Waterston

How to watch: The Uprising is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

10. Get Jiro!

Anthony Bourdain's 2012 graphic novel, Get Jiro!, has received the Adult Swim treatment, with a new animated series bringing the chef and author's enigmatic protagonist to the screen. And of course, it's set in a world where cooking rules.

Created by filmmakers Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood, this unashamedly bloody series transports us to a dystopian future where the ruling class is something only Bourdain (and his co-writer Joel Rose) could come up with: chefs.

For more, read my review of the first two episodes, which premiered at SXSW London. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor, General Assignments

Starring: Brian Tee, David Chang, Eric Ripert, and José Andrés

How to watch: Get Jiro! premieres with two episodes Oct. 3 at midnight ET on Adult Swim, then streams on HBO Max Oct.4.

9. Adventure Time: Side Quests

This Adventure Time spinoff series launched in the summer with 11-minute episodes featuring new adventures with Finn and Jake, Ice King, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Princess Bubblegum, and Lumpy Space Princess. With a softer look, Side Quests won't shake the canon of the show's lore. Instead, its short and sweet episodes are less likely to make you spiral into an existential crisis. (Glob knows sometimes we need that!) 

Whether watching with kiddos or seeking some silliness for a chill night in chilly weather, Adventure Time: Side Quests has you covered. — K.P.

Starring: Sasha Knight, John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny, Olivia Olson, and Hynden Walch

How to watch: Adventure Time: Side Quests is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

8. Tip Toe

Russell T. Davies' (Doctor Who, It's a Sin) new drama Tip Toe comes to Starz this fall after airing in England earlier this year to critical acclaim. The series introduces two Manchester neighbors: gay bar owner Leo (Alan Cumming) and straight electrician Clive (David Morrissey). Over the course of 10 days, their neighborly relationship spirals due to homophobia and online conspiracy theories, resulting in a devastating hate crime. Bleak and brutal, Tip Toe earned praise for its two lead performances and for its unfortunate relevance.* — B.E.

Starring: Alan Cumming, David Morrissey, Jackson Connor, Iz Hesketh, Pooky Quesnel, Joseph Evans, Elizabeth Berrington, Paul Rhys, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo

How to watch: Tip Toe premieres Oct. 2 on Starz.

7. Kill Jackie

Catherine Zeta-Jones goes on the warpath in Kill Jackie, based loosely on The Price You Pay by Nick Harkaway. The Academy Award winner plays Jackie Price, a luxury art dealer with a criminal past. That past has put her on the kill list of the Seven Demons, a group of deadly assassins. Instead of going on the run, Jackie goes on the offensive, planning to take down the Seven Demons before they can get to her. — B.E.

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Ings, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Óscar Jaenada, Hattie Hook, Darci Shaw, Raff Law, Enzo Cilenti, Christine Adams, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Karlis Arnolds Avots, Set Sjöstrand, Tadashi Ito, Sebastian Armesto, Julian Barratt, Gavin Spokes, Jonathan Cake, Bamshad Abedi-Amin, Bill Paterson, and Ron Perlman

How to watch: Kill Jackie premieres Oct. 2 on AMC+.

6. Mononoke the Movie: Chapter Ⅲ - The Curse of the Serpent

The awaited finale of the Mononoke film trilogy hits Netflix this week, with Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent.

Following the 2000s TV series and two films — 2024's Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain and 2025's Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage — it all comes to an end thanks to Studio Kafka, EOTA, and Twin Engine. Directed by Tomoaki Koshida and Kenji Nakamura, and written by Yasumi Atarashi, the franchise follows women in the Ōoku quarters of Edo Castle, with the finale focusing on the Midaidokoro rank. Expect political intrigue, magic, folklore, and incredible animation. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Hiroshi Kamiya, Takahiro Sakurai, Haruka Tomatsu, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Miyu Irinio, Kenjiro Tsuda, Yoko Hikasa, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Atsumi Tanezaki, Miyuki Sawashiro, Fumi Hirano, Mariko Honda, Yukana, and Eiji Takemoto

How to watch: Mononoke The Movie: Chapter Ⅲ - The Curse of the Serpent is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I

Did you also hit the cinema at the very first screenings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle decked out in Tanjiro's ichimatsu haori and hanafuda earrings? You didn’t? Fear not, you can do so in the comfort of your own living room as the film hits streaming this week. The first of three final films saw the gang scaling the impossible architecture of Muzan Kibutsuji's transforming fortress — and audiences absolutely flocking into cinemas to see it. — S.C.

Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Reina Ueda, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Takahiro Sakurai, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kengo Kawanishi, Saori Hayami, Kana Hanazawa, Kenichi Suzumura, Tomokazu Seki, Tomokazu Sugita, Mamoru Miyano, Akira Ishida, and Yoshimasa Hosoya

How to watch: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba: Infinity Castle is now streaming on Hulu and Netflix.

4. The Swan: Behind the Mirror

From Erin Lee Carr, the documentarian behind Mommy Dead & Dearest, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, and Britney vs. Spears, comes a documentary that is sure to get the internet buzzing. 

Carr is known for intimate interviews with controversial figures, including the "cannibal cop" Gilberto Valle, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and convicted killer Lois Reiss. So, what secrets might she pry out of the producers of The Swan? From the trailer alone, you can see some folks don't have the sense to hide their inner ugliness. And we can't look away.* — K.P. 

How to watch: The Swan: Behind the Mirror is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

3. East of Eden

Netflix brings John Steinbeck's epic East of Eden to streaming this week, with a cast led by Florence Pugh as the enduring literary villain Cathy Ames.

Written by Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather Elia Kazan directed 1955's James Dean-led East of Eden, this engaging adaptation retells the Biblical tale of Cain and Abel across multiple generations of the Trask family. The film version only adapts the last section of the novel, but the TV version adapts the novel in full, meaning beloved characters like Samuel Hamilton (Ciarán Hinds) and Lee (Hoon Lee) get their due. (The latter far more than the former.)

Looming over it all is the figure of Cathy, presented as a pure monster in the novel. While early internet armchair critics worried that Kazan and Netflix would whitewash Cathy's evil, that couldn't be farther from the truth. As I wrote, Pugh and Kazan have created "a take on Cathy that isn't the aberration early critics expected, but rather a compliment to a formidable literary figure." — B.E.

Starring: Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, Ciarán Hinds, Joseph Zada, and Joe Anders

How to watch: East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Director Jane Schoenbrun takes a wildly fun look at the slasher genre in their third feature film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Hacks' Hannah Einbinder plays filmmaker Kris, who's been handed the reins to the once great, now floundering Camp Miasma horror franchise. For inspiration, she visits the franchise's original final girl, actor Billy Preson (Gillian Anderson), who happens to live at the camp where the first film was shot. Together, they embark on a journey of sexual enlightenment and dipping sauces. (Yes, really.)

Critics adored Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma explores where queerness, self-acceptance, and horror collide. But it's also a hell of a good time. Schoenbrun and their cast embrace the ghoulish delights of slasher slaughters, the titillating fun of their teen sex and death, and the radiant joy of finding pleasure in your own body. All this makes Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma a knockout, from its first kill to its final thrill." — B.E.

Starring: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, and Jack Haven

How to watch: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma hits MUBI Oct. 2.

Best of streaming this week: War

HBO and Sky's new legal series War delivers juicy drama at all levels of the courtroom, from the lawyers to their wealthy clients. The show follows the high-profile divorce between actress Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) and tech mogul Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). As their relationship and lives implode, their two rival law firms play every dirty trick in the book in order to achieve victory at any cost.

As I wrote in my review, what follows is "a flurry of betrayal and backstabbing that's so exquisitely ruthless, it's sure to make War your next drama obsession." — B.E.

Starring: Dominic West, Sienna Miller, Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Archie Renaux, Nina Sosanya, Pip Torrens, Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Emma Laird, Aran Murphy, Shaheen Jafargholi, Akiya Henry, Honor Swinton Byrne, Miles Jupp, Kartanya Maynard, Alexandra Mardell, Dylan Edwards, Mark Quartley, and Steve Furst

How to watch: War premieres Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. In the UK, War premieres Oct. 2 on Sky and NOW.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

The warp-speed deployment of artificial intelligence into nearly every corner of American life has created real problems for K-12 education.

Suddenly, school boards, districts, and teachers are grappling with the role AI should play in students' lives. The consternation is already showing up in classrooms as teachers use AI to plan their lessons and analyze student performance, provide tutoring and emotional support, and offer access to AI-enabled search.

Meanwhile, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic compete to provide chatbots to students. AI supporters worry that students blocked from using chatbots will be left behind, while many alarmed parents support AI bans for a variety of understandable reasons.

Dr. Shuchi Grover, a computer and learning scientist, believes that education is caught in an AI hype cycle.

SEE ALSO: AI drift: The catastrophic risk you're taking but don't realize

Her solution? Help students understand chatbots through safe, sandboxed models and interactive experiences, but don't make those interactions, especially with popular mainstream models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, the dominant way they learn about AI.

Instead, Grover suggests offering computer science instruction so students build a foundational understanding of computing and develop enduring problem-solving skills. The point is for students to view AI as a powerful new technology with many applications.

By contrast, some schools take the approach of, "'Oh let's make kids good prompters,' which really makes me cringe," Grover says.

Why not give students chatbots to learn about AI?

Grover, who researches K-12 computer science education, acknowledges that AI is indeed everywhere but calls the focus on chatbots "misguided."

After all, students encounter AI in their algorithms, self-driving cars, voice assistants, and facial recognition technology, among myriad other commercial products. That's why restricting students' learning about AI to chatbots only makes little sense.

There are also privacy, safety, and bias concerns, plus the risk of anthropomorphizing AI, Grover explains.

Companies may use student conversations with chatbots as training material. Students paired with a chatbot may unintentionally learn, courtesy of their own teacher, how to offload their cognition and creativity to AI. There is no clear evidence yet that providing chatbot access to students improves their learning or academic performance.

Grover also recognizes that AI companies are pushing student adoption of AI for their own reasons: The industry sees an opportunity to make lifelong users out of children and teens, she says.

While Grover generally opposes commercial chatbots in the classroom, she doesn't support an outright ban on them.

How students should learn about AI at school

There is, in fact, guidance for teaching students about AI. This summer, the Computer Science Teachers Association released new standards for AI use in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

While CSTA's standards encompass many concepts, like cybersecurity and physical computing, they integrate AI learning throughout.

Computer science standards and AI

In elementary school, CSTA believes students can start learning about AI through foundational concepts like explaining how a change in an algorithm leads to a different outcome, examining how data is used to train a machine learning model, and training a model to make a classification or prediction.

By middle school, students can analyze AI-written code for accuracy and usability on a specific project, and use an AI tool to generate outputs that help them solve a computational problem. Importantly, student use of an AI chatbot is useful, though not necessary, to complete the latter exercise. Plus, sandboxed chatbots that don't relentlessly engage with students can serve the same purpose.

A set of specialty standards illustrate how high schoolers can engage with AI in ways that truly prepare them for the future. For example, they can examine how data flows through a neural network, a machine learning model that will be critical for the next generations of AI. Or they can integrate a prebuilt AI agent into an app and optimize an AI algorithm's performance for a given problem.

There's more to AI beyond expert prompting

These skills imagine a world far more exciting for students than just being an expert AI prompter.

Instead, Jake Baskin, a former high school computer science teacher and CSTA's executive director, says we should be setting students up to succeed in a society where computation is deeply embedded in everyday life.

"I think we will do a grave disservice to students if we don't prepare them with the foundational understanding of how this technology works and how to create it, so that they'll have agency in deciding when to use or not use it in their lives," Baskin says.

The challenges of teaching students AI

Of course, there are numerous barriers to implementing computer science curriculum in schools.

Not every classroom can meet basic requirements for computer science instruction. While the CSTA standards offer "unplugged" versions of skill-building exercises, computer science classes ultimately need access to working laptops and reliable internet.

Even if students can access the necessary technology, Grover says it's imperative to give them curriculum relevant to their lives and life experiences. The AI4K12 Initiative, a resource hub jointly offered by CSTA and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, has many free curriculum options, but someone needs to evaluate and decide what's right for the student body in question.

Baskin says states often adopt varying standards for computer science, which are then implemented by individual school leaders. AI instruction at one school may be substantially different from curriculum at another school in a different neighborhood, depending on resources and interest.

Teacher preparation and professional training are also critical. In many instances, a passionate teacher steps up to teach computer science, even if it means learning the skills for the first time themselves.

Education doesn't have to be "caught in the middle"

Grover warns schools against giving in to the temptation of chatbots for students. Instead, she urges decision-makers to pursue computer science education with a focus on AI.

"It's market forces that is pushing these tools into classrooms," she says of commercial chatbots, noting the intense competition between companies to grow their share of users. "Education, for some reason, got caught in the middle of this. It doesn't have to be."

Whether you're trying to cut back on subscription fees, avoid auto-renewal after a free 30-day trial, or align your spending more closely with your values, there are tons of reasons you may want to cancel Amazon Prime. We totally get it and make no judgments.

Of course, you might want to keep your Prime membership for October Prime Day (aka Prime Big Deal Days), since Prime members have exclusive access to most of the deals during the shopping event. The fall shopping event falls on Oct. 6 and 7 and promises millions of deals across categories, giving customers a head start on holiday shopping.

Nevertheless, here's a step-by-step guide to bidding Bezos goodbye if and when the time comes to cut ties with the mega retailer. It's never as straightforward as it should be.

How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership in the Amazon app

The process for canceling your Prime subscription via the Amazon app is the same on both iOS and Android.

Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Smartphone
• Amazon mobile app

Step 1: Open the app and tap the button at the bottom that looks like a person.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Tap "Account" from the options along the top.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Scroll down through the list of options to "Memberships and subscriptions."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Hit "Cancel" under the Amazon Prime subscription.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 5: A browser window will open, prompting you to login once again.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 6: Once logged in, scroll down to the "Review your options" section.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 7: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "Cancel on [date]."

Make sure the first box is ticked to cancel your membership, rather than pause it. Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership on desktop Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Laptop or desktop

Step 1: Log in to your Amazon account on your browser. Hover over "Accounts & Lists" in the upper right hand corner. In the menu of options, click "Prime Membership."

You'll pull up your personal Prime membership page with a collection of plan benefits and options.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Click "Manage Membership" in the top right-hand corner. Click "End Membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Review how many days are left in your current Prime billing cycle. Click the yellow button on the lower-right side of the page that says "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "End on [date]."

Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

The best early Prime Day deals on Anker: Best speaker deal Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Soundcore P40i by Anker $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Smart Home Deal Anker Eufy S220 $139.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best Power Bank Deal Anker Prime $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Robot Vacuum Deal Anker Eufy Omni C20 $339.98 (save $210.01) Get Deal Best Home Entertainment Deal Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser $599.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Power Station Deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $739.99 (save $190) Get Deal

Keeping a dozen screens and gadgets charged every day is exhausting, and nobody has time for it. Luckily, Anker makes some of the best gear to keep your tech powered, organized, and running smoothly.

While most people know Anker as the go-to brand for phone chargers and power banks, they actually make gear for almost every part of your home. Their lineup includes Soundcore for headphones and speakers, Eufy for smart security cams and robot vacuums, and Nebula for portable projectors.

With Amazon’s Prime Day right around the corner, you don't have to wait to start saving. Anker has already slashed prices across its entire family of brands. We combed through the early sales to curate the absolute best Anker deals worth pulling the trigger on.

Best speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth speaker $22.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $12.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Finding a truly rugged outdoor speaker for around $25 is tough, but the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go checks almost every box. Despite its compact palm-sized frame, it packs punchy sound and an impressive 20-hour battery life that easily outlasts a full weekend trip. Thanks to its IP67 rating, it’s completely waterproof, dustproof, and even floats — so dropping it in the pool or shower won't stop the music. You can also link two of them together for wireless stereo sound — and while it comes in multiple fun colorways, picking the classic black model saves you an extra $2.

More Soundcore speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $29.99 $44.99 (save $15)

• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 140W Outdoor Speaker — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

Best earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P40i $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

Anker’s Soundcore P40i earbuds already punch well above their weight class, making any discount on them an absolute steal. You get solid adaptive active noise cancellation to block out background chatter, paired with a 6-microphone array that keeps your voice crisp and clear on phone calls. Beyond the 60-hour total battery life with the case, Anker built in a clever design detail: the charging case includes a pop-out kickstand that props up your phone for hands-free video watching on flights or at your desk.

More Soundcore earbuds and headphones deals

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $20.99 $39.99 (save $19)

• Anker Soundcore Q20i Noise Cancelling Headphones — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Noise Cancelling Earbuds — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore AeroClip by Anker Open Ear Earbuds — $129.99 $169.99 (save $40)

• Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special Earbuds — $199.99 $229.99 (save $30)

Best smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Eufy S220 2-Cam Pack $139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The Eufy SoloCam S220 fixes the worst part of home security: charging dead batteries. Its built-in solar panel needs just 3 hours of daily sunlight for continuous power, while 2K resolution keeps night footage crisp. Smart AI filtering ignores blowing leaves, so you only get alerts for people, pets, or cars — and local storage means zero monthly fees.

More smart home deals

• Eufy Security 4K Indoor Camera E30 — $59.99 $74.99 (save $15)

• Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights E22 (100ft) — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

Best power bank deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Prime Power Bank (26,250 mAh) $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you need to work away from an outlet, the Anker Prime Power Bank keeps your setup running without missing a beat. Its massive 26,250mAh capacity holds enough juice to charge a laptop fully alongside your phone, while a huge 300W total output powers demanding notebooks at full speed. Smart digital displays show your exact remaining battery and real-time charging wattage, making it a must-have for travel, remote work, or long flights.

More power bank deals

• Anker 633 Magnetic Power Bank — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

• Anker Nano Magnetic Power Bank (5,000mAh) — $54.99 $59.99 (save $5)

• Anker 140W Max 4-Port GaN Wall Charger — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)

• Anker Prime Fast Charger with Smart Display — $115.99 $149.99 (save $34)

• Anker Prime 3-in-1 Charging Station — $149.99 $229.99 (save $80)

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop $339.98 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $210.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The Eufy Omni C20 takes the hassle out of floor care by handling both vacuuming and scrubbing without needing constant supervision. It's an all-in-one station that automatically empties dust into a bag that lasts up to 60 days, while washing and air-drying its own mop pads. Pushing 7,000 Pa of suction alongside a pro-detangle comb to keep long hair off the roller brush, it easily lifts embedded dirt from rugs and hard floors.

More robot vacuum deals

• Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S MAX — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)

• Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo — $599.98 $999.99 (save $400)

• Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop with Portable Carpet Cleaner — $629.98 $999.99 (save $370)

• Eufy Omni S2 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo — $1,399.99 $1,599.99 (save $200)

Best home entertainment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser $599.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Roughly the size of a 16-ounce soda can, the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser packs 1080p resolution and vibrant laser lighting into a frame that easily slips into a backpack. You can throw up to a 120-inch screen onto any wall or bedsheet, while auto-focus and auto-keystone correction handle image setup in seconds. With Google TV built in and a battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours on a single charge, it's an instant movie night setup for backyard hangouts or camping trips.

More home entertainment deals

• Nebula Mars 3 Outdoor Portable Projector — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 + 200W Solar Panel $739.99 at Amazon
$929.99 Save $190   Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you're prepping for emergency outages or heading off the grid, the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 delivers reliable home-grade power in a portable frame. Its 2,000W output handles high-draw appliances across 10 outlets, while the included 200W foldable solar panel keeps you charged using free sunlight. Plus, it recharges from zero to 80% in under an hour from a wall outlet, so you're never left hanging when bad weather hits.

More power station deals

• Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Anker Solix C200 Power Station with 60W Solar Panel — $229.99 $259.99 (save $30)

• Anker Solix S2000 Portable Power Station — $679.99 $1,199 (save $519)

Amazon will host its annual Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 6 and 7. If you're looking to save on fall essentials — or yearning for a break from this year's tech price hikes — the event will be a good opportunity to get some shopping done ahead of the busy holidays.

I've covered Prime Big Deal Days every year since its inception. Here's what you should know about the sale before it starts. (Plus, check out my team's dedicated guide to the best early deals you can score already.)

The best early October Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Prime-exclusive deal Audible (Standard) $0.99/month + free $20 credit with Prime (save $32) Get Deal Best free deal Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $0/month (save $35.97) Get Deal Best deal under $25 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $32) Get Deal Best deal under $50 Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 55-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED TV $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $62.04 (save $47.95) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 Pro (2TB) $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best gaming deal The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 (save $10.11) Get Deal What is Prime Big Deal Days?

Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale that Amazon has put on every year since 2022 in early October, about a month and a half before Black Friday. (Fun fact: It was originally called the Prime Early Access Sale.) It's often referred to as "October Prime Day" because its deals are exclusively for Amazon Prime members, just like the retailer's flagship Prime Day sale.

Prime Big Deal Days serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

When does Prime Big Deal Days start?

Prime Big Deal Days 2026 will officially begin at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, Oct. 6. It will end at 2:59 a.m ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8 (11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 7).

How is Prime Big Deal Days different from Prime Day?

Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day event in the fall, while Prime Day is a four-day event in the summer. (It's usually in July, but Amazon moved it up to June this year because of the timing of the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary, a company exec told Reuters.)

What are the best early October Prime Day deals? Credit: Amazon

You don't need to wait until Oct. 6 to start filling your cart. Prime members can score the following deals on Amazon devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days:

• Save up to 65% on select Amazon gadgets, including Fire TV Sticks and Echo smart speakers

• Get a free $30 credit when you buy select Echo devices on sale

• Get a free $5 Prime Big Deal Days credit for every Amazon Now order of $25 or more through Oct. 3 (up to $25 total)

• Get four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited (three months for non-members)

• Get four months of Audible Standard for 99 cents/month plus a free $20 Audible credit

• Save $20 on Grubhub orders of $30 or more with code DEALS20 through Oct. 5

• Get a free $1,500 gift card when you buy or lease a new car with Amazon Autos through Oct. 7

All shoppers can get three months' worth of Kindle Unlimited for free ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, regardless of their Prime status.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?

My fellow Mashable reporters and I are also tracking early October Prime Day deals on popular tech gadgets, including Apple devices, headphones, speakers, TVs, laptops, robot vacuums, smartwatches, power stations, and SSDs. Many of those products are on sale already, but keep in mind that their prices will likely drop further once Prime Big Deal Days starts.

What deals will be available during Prime Big Deal Days 2026?

Prime Big Deal Days will feature "millions of deals across fashion, electronics, beauty, toys, and more," according to a company blog post. Some of them will be special, limited-time offers called "Today's Big Deals" that involve discounts of "up to 50% or more" on "trending products and new releases," the retailer said (think $2,000 off a big-screen Sony TV, it added). Today's Big Deals will drop daily at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. ET during the sale, so keep a lookout. They're only available while supplies last.

Here are the other sorts of deals you can expect to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts, per Amazon's blog post:

• Over $500 off select cameras from Canon and Nikon

• Up to $500 off select Breville espresso machines

• Up to 50% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and Anker's Soundcore line

• Up to 40% off select TVs and streaming devices from Sony, TCL, and Toshiba

• Up to 40% off select PCs and laptops from Asus, Dell, and HP

• Up to 40% off select floorcare from Dyson, iRobot, and Ninja

• Up to 40% off select kitchen appliances from Crock-Pot, Keurig, and Ninja

• Up to 40% off select power tools from Bosch, Craftsman, and Dewalt

• Up to 40% off select collectibles and toys from Funko and Miniverse

• Up to 40% off select sensory toys from Kinetic Sand and Play-Doh

• Up to 40% off select party supplies and decorations

• Up to 35% off Halloween costumes

• Up to 30% off select thermostats from ecobee, Honeywell, and Google

• Up to 30% off select LED lighting and smart plugs from GE, Philips Hue, and TP-Link

• Up to 30% off toys from Barbie, Hasbro Games, Hot Wheels, and Mattel Games

• UP to 30% off select building sets from Lego and Magna-Tiles

• Up to 30% off select cleaning products from Lysol, Scott, and Tide

Which offers better deals, October Prime Day or Black Friday? Credit: Amazon

Black Friday generally features better deals than October Prime Day. There are several reasons for this:

1. Basically every retailer runs a Black Friday sale, so there's a wider selection of deals available; the festivities aren't limited to Amazon and its immediate competitors (more on them momentarily).

2. Black Friday deals are open to everyone, not just Prime members.

3. Retailers really want to clear their shelves of old inventory ahead of the new year, so they're inclined to offer record-low prices during Black Friday.

That said, there is a lot of overlap between October Prime Day and Black Friday deals, especially when it comes to Amazon devices. (Most of the Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV deals we'll see during Prime Big Deal Days will probably pop back up in November.) You should definitely still check out Prime Big Deal Days if:

1. You're a Prime member who wants to maximize the benefits of your subscription.

2. You want to avoid the chaos of Black Friday and get your holiday shopping over with.

3. You're worried about an item on your wishlist selling out before the holidays.

4. You need an item sooner than late November or early December for gifting purposes.

Will any retailers be competing with Prime Big Deal Days?

Target and Walmart are both planning to run their own sales alongside Prime Big Deal Days. (Target's Circle Deal Days is also set for Oct. 6 and 7, while Walmart's Fall Deals event runs for a whole week from Oct. 5 to 11.) Best Buy previously said that its "[holiday] Savings start in October," but it hasn't confirmed anything yet.

How many times a year is Prime Day? Credit: Amazon

Prime Day technically only happens once a year in mid-summer, but Amazon puts on two other Prime-exclusive events throughout the year that function similarly. One is Prime Big Deal Days in early October; the other is the Big Spring Sale in late March.

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Big Deal Days?

Amazon's October Prime Day deals are reserved for members of its Prime program, but you don't need to pay for a subscription to participate. Shoppers who haven't had an active Prime membership within the past 12 months can score a free 30-day trial. Just remember to cancel your membership before your trial period ends, or else you'll get charged. (Prime normally costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually.)

If you're between the ages of 18 and 24 or a college student, you're eligible for a free six-month trial via Amazon's Prime for Young Adults program. At the end of your trial period, you can upgrade to a paid membership for 50% off the usual rate.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime (30-Day Trial)   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime for Young Adults (6-Month Trial)   Learn More

When Netflix released the first teaser for its adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, the reaction was not one of excitement, but rather one of trepidation.

According to Netflix's description of the series, East of Eden, written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, would focus "new attention on its indelible antihero, Cathy Ames, played by Florence Pugh."

SEE ALSO: 'East of Eden' trailer: Florence Pugh leads Netflix's sprawling John Steinbeck adaptation

For anyone familiar with East of Eden, a multigenerational retelling of the Cain and Abel story set within California's Salinas Valley, calling Cathy Ames an "antihero" is a misread of the character. Steinbeck introduces her with a lengthy passage on how monsters with "malformed souls" can be born to human parents. Throughout the novel, she murders and manipulates. She shoots her husband, Adam (Christopher Abbott), and abandons her newborn twins. In Steinbeck's tale of good and evil, she's about as evil as you can get.

So between the "antihero" description and Pugh's hopes she could bring some "humanity" to Cathy, Steinbeck fans feared the worst: that East of Eden would neuter one of literature's great antagonists and transform her into some misunderstood girlboss. Look at the worried comments under the teaser or the irate Reddit threads writing off the adaptation entirely before having seen it.

But all that worry turns out to be unfounded. While East of Eden does complicate the idea of Cathy as purely evil, she is still a villain through and through, and Kazan's engrossing series does not shy away from that darkness.

Florence Pugh's Cathy Ames is still terrifying. Christopher Abbott and Florence Pugh in "East of Eden." Credit: Netflix

In the series, just like in the novel, Cathy is a malevolent force of nature who's both alluring and off-putting. When Salinas mainstay Samuel Hamilton (a tragically underused Ciarán Hinds) meets her for the first time, he feels a chill, like a goose has walked over his grave — a line that, like much of Steinbeck's dialogue, makes it into the TV show.

Also making it into the show are most of Cathy's most reprehensible acts: her fiery murder of her parents at a young age and, years later, her calculated, drawn-out poisoning of kindly brothel madam Faye (Martha Plimpton). Through it all, Pugh delivers a sensationally sinister performance. As the role of Cathy demands, Pugh dons a mask of nicety when it suits her, but as soon as she doesn't need to put on airs, the mask falls, revealing a dark emptiness. When forced to drink, Cathy's true nature comes out, and Pugh renders that change in all its snarling, beastly glory.

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about Netflix's East of Eden looks for humanity in Cathy — but then again, doesn't the book? Florence Pugh in "East of Eden." Credit: Geoffrey Short / Netflix

Kazan (herself the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, director of 1955's East of Eden film) makes a large change to Cathy's role in the story right at the very start of East of Eden. Steinbeck's novel begins with a lengthy, evocative description of the Salinas Valley before focusing on Samuel, then the Trask family. Cathy does not become a factor until much later. However, Kazan's East of Eden puts her front and center from the start. Kazan skips forward several chapters and drops us into one of the most harrowing moments of Cathy's life. Beaten nearly to death by brothel owner and former lover Mr. Edwards (Josh McConville), she crawls towards the farmhouse of the Trask brothers.

If you hadn't read East of Eden before watching the show, you'd see an image of a beaten, bloody woman and immediately sympathize with her. If you had read the book, the moment immediately complicates your sentiments towards Cathy. Even as you're yelling at the Trask brothers not to let her in, as if she's some monster from a horror film who must be kept out, Kazan invites you to have compassion for her.

So begins one of East of Eden's most fascinating points of tension. Because yes, Cathy is a horrible woman who has done awful things. But people have also done horrible things to her.

Look at some of the things that happen to Cathy on paper, without considering Steinbeck's early assertion that she is a monster. When she is a teenager, an older teacher develops a romantic interest in her. Her former lover, Mr. Edwards, nearly kills her. Adam moves her across the country against her wishes, where she's forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. The show also implies that Cathy experienced sexual trauma when she was five years old, spurring a habit of dissociating and imagining herself shrinking, Alice in Wonderland-style, out of harm's way.

East of Eden doesn't treat any of these experiences as excuses for Cathy's nasty acts, but more as explanations for why she hunts power and control. If she is to shrink, to diminish herself, she only wants to do so on her own terms.

Later in the novel, Steinbeck writes, "when I said Cathy was a monster it seemed to me that it was so. Now I have bent close with a glass over the small print of her and reread the footnotes, and I wonder if it was true."

The series, then, is approaching Cathy's monstrosity through a similar lens. Like Steinbeck's narrator (himself a fictional version of Steinbeck), Pugh and Kazan scour Cathy's origins to find flecks of humanity, while still acknowledging her inclination to do harm.

Take, for example, a show-only scene at Faye's brothel. Cathy, now going by Kate, learns that a customer has been particularly rough with one of her fellow sex workers. Cathy asks to see him next, with the show setting their encounter up to be a potential revenge fantasy. The worries about the flattening of Cathy rear their head, but they soon go away when Cathy takes the man on as her client and puts in motion her grand plan to turn the brothel into a sadomasochistic den. From there, she can rustle up blackmail about the most powerful men around.

Here, and elsewhere throughout the show, Cathy gets the opportunity to make the right choice, but rarely does. It all ties back to East of Eden's core concept of timshel, meaning "thou mayest," an idea that offers up a choice between good and evil. But since Cathy only sees the ugliness of humanity (and also herself), she only ever opts for the ugly route. There's a tragic quality to that that Kazan's adaptation and Pugh's performance seek to illuminate. They, too, have bent over the character with a glass and have wound up creating a take on Cathy that isn't the aberration early critics expected, but rather a compliment to a formidable literary figure.

East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.

SAVE $30: The all-new Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon with promo code 4KINTRO. That's a 50% discount on its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 Use promo code 4KINTRO at checkout. Get Deal

Amazon just dropped a brand-new version of its Fire TV Stick 4K with a fresh design, and somehow it’s already half off. Normally priced at $59.99, you can snatch it up for $29.99 right now by plugging in the promo code 4KINTRO at checkout. That knocks $30 off a streaming stick that just released.

If your TV interface feels painfully slow, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD gives your screen an instant upgrade. Setting it up takes zero effort: you just plug it straight into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. Thanks to Direct Power, it draws electricity from the TV port, so you do not have to worry about running a cord down to an outlet.

Once plugged in, you get crystal-clear 4K picture quality with HDR10+, delivering four times the detail of standard HD with rich colors and deep contrast. It is built specifically for 4K TVs — typically screens 50 inches or larger — and packs WiFi 6 to stop annoying buffering when everyone else in the house is on the internet.

The redesigned remote makes finding things simpler with a new navigation ring, instant scene jump controls, and dedicated buttons for your favorite apps and Live TV. Plus, Alexa+ is built right into the voice button, so you can search across Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Peacock, and Paramount+.

You can even pair Bluetooth headphones for private late-night listening. Just keep in mind that Amazon locked down the software on this new model for enhanced security. You can only download apps straight from the official Amazon Appstore, so third-party app sideloading is strictly blocked.

This introductory deal runs through Oct. 7, so make sure to enter code 4KINTRO at checkout on Amazon before the price jumps back up to $59.99.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch NFL football.

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: Basketball skill games

• Green: Football team from Pennsylvania

• Blue: Arenas

• Purple: Separation

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Basketball Games

• Green: Associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers

• Blue: Texas Sports Venues

• Purple: ___Away

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 #738 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Basketball Games: 21, AROUND THE WORLD, HORSE, KNOCKOUT

• Associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers: BLACK AND YELLOW, RENEGADE, TERRIBLE TOWEL, THE BUS

• Texas Sports Venues: ALAMODOME, COTTON BOWL, DAIKIN PARK, KYLE FIELD

• ___Away: BREAK, FADE, GIVE, STRAIGHT

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 1, 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 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 1 Pips

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

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 1 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Less than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 1 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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 1-3 placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A poker term.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BLUFF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Copy, ___.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PASTE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Stopwatch.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TIMER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To climb.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

MOUNT

Final Hurdle hint

Comedian.

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

COMIC

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

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

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 1 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:

Ostentatiously fancy.

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 R.

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...

RITZY

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 today's Wordle.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you've ever broken something.

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 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Things fall apart

The words are related to breaking things.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe adjectives of something shaterring in pieces

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Beyond repair.

NYT Strands word list for October 1

• Crumble

• Break

• Collapse

• Fragment

• Dissolve

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 today's Strands.

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 1, 2026 Place meaning

A position in relation to other things or people.

Position meaning

The place where someone or something is.

Situate meaning

To put something in a particular position.

Stick meaning

To cause something to be fixed in place.

Chest meaning

Upper front part of the body.

Neck meaning

Part of body that joins the head and shoulders.

Sleeve meaning

Part of clothes that covers the arm.

Waist meaning

Body part that's above and slightly narrower than the hips.

Decemberists meaning

Rock band from Portland, OR.

National meaning

Rock band from Cincinnati, OH.

Shins meaning

Rock band from Albuquerque, NM.

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Walkmen meaning

Rock band from New York City, NY.

Acro meaning

Abbreviation for NYT game.

Cross meaning

Abbreviation for NYT game.

Ken meaning

Abbreviation for NYT game.

Sud meaning

Abbreviation for NYT game.

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 today's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you don't know James Bond.

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 September 29, 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: Stop moving

• Green: Body sizes

• Blue: Rock

• Purple: Puzzles

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Put

• Green: Dress Shirt Measurements

• Blue: 2000s Indie Rock Bands, with "The"

• Purple: Starts of NYT Print Puzzles

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 #1208 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Put: PLACE, POSITION, SITUATE, STICK

• Dress Shirt Measurements: CHEST, NECK, SLEEVE, WAIST

• 2000s Indie Rock Bands, with "The": DECEMBERISTS, NATIONAL, SHINS, WALKMEN

• Starts of NYT Print Puzzles: ACRO, CROSS, KEN, SUD

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 today's Connections.

Like most people running Windows, I rely on the built-in security to keep my device safe. I know my way around Windows Security, but I kept my settings mostly at default until recently, when I read a Microsoft report about a recent threat. In short, malware disguised as legitimate, popular apps tried to weaken Windows' own security settings by silently disabling them.