Mashable

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 23, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX is on sale for $849.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX $849.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $150   Get Deal

If you’re serious about gaming, the right graphics card can make all the difference. And if you've been on the hunt for an upgrade, we've found a stellar deal at Amazon that you won't want to miss. As of Oct. 23, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX is on sale for $849.99, a saving of $150 on list price. There are various sizes available, and all are reduced by at least $100.

This graphics card is powered by NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture and supports DLSS 4, so you're getting seriously high performance gaming. It's also built to last thanks to its military-grade components and a protective PCB coating to improve durability and protect against moisture, dust, and debris.

SEE ALSO: Get your game on this fall by saving $300 on the massive 40-inch Samsung Odyssey G7 gaming monitor

The card has a 3.125-slot design with a large fin array with three Axial-tech fans to create efficient cooling. And a phase-change GPU thermal pad is used for better heat management and longevity. This product really is built to last, and overheating shouldn't ever be an issue.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so act fast to score this gaming deal.

Tesla's earnings calls are always a fun listen, mostly because company CEO Elon Musk never runs out of weird things to say.

This time, during the company's Q3 2025 report on Wednesday, the comment that took the cake was Musk's insistence that he needs the proposed $1 trillion compensation package to control Tesla's "robot army."

SEE ALSO: Tesla's iOS app now tells you exactly the sort of maintenance your car needs

The $1 trillion figure is from the executive pay package that was proposed for Musk by Tesla's board in September (a significant jump from the month before). Should Musk hit a number of tough company milestones, he'd be entitled to nearly $1 trillion worth of Tesla stock over the next decade.

Unsurprisingly, the lofty pay plan was met with a lot of skepticism, with a coalition of unions and corporate watchdogs launching a "Take Back Tesla" campaign to stop it from happening.

Featured Video For You All You Need to Know About Neuralink's Telepathy Update

But during yesterday's Tesla earnings call, Musk said he doesn't plan to spend the money; instead, he needs it as a form of insurance.

"My fundamental concern with regard to how much money and control I have at Tesla is if I go ahead and build this enormous robot army, can I just be ousted at some point in the future? Um, that’s my biggest concern. That is really the only thing I'm trying to address with this. It's called compensation but it’s not like I’m gonna go spend the money," said Musk. "It’s just, if we build this robot army do I have at least a strong influence over that robot army? Not current control but a strong influence. That's what it comes down to in a nutshell. I don't feel comfortable wielding that robot army if I don't have at least a strong influence."

Forgive us for missing the part where Tesla was building a robot "army" which requires "wielding." Yeah, Tesla is working on a humanoid robot called Optimus, but so far all we've heard was how it's going to be a helping hand around the household. It appears that Musk has other ideas on how the Optimus could be used.

The AI-generated video competition has heated up with the recent launches of OpenAI's Sora 2 and Google's Veo 3, and it looks like Snapchat is doing everything it can to stay in the race.

The company announced on Wednesday that its Imagine AI, a lens it previously launched in September for paid subscribers, will now be free for all U.S. users. Imagine AI allows users to create AI-generated content simply by typing a prompt.

In the video example given on Snapchat's press release, a woman pranks her colleague with a video of her work desk and the prompt, "The ceiling is leaking water all over her desk." The AI then generates an image that matches that description.

SEE ALSO: I tested OpenAI Sora 2 vs Google Veo 3 for AI video, and there’s a very clear winner How to use Snapchat's Imagine AI lens Total Time

• 3 mins

What You Need

• iPhone
• Snapchat app

Step 1: Locate the Imagine Lens

This will be in your lens carousel, or you can search for it.

Step 2: Edit your prompt

As well as pre-loaded prompt ideas you can also tap the caption to write your own original prompt.

Step 3: Create your Snap

The AI will generate a video based on your prompt that you can then share in the same way you would any other Snap.

Imagine Lens is currently free for all users in the U.S., and Snapchat has said it's "beginning to expand it" to users in Great Britain, Canada, and Australia.

SAVE $26: As of Oct. 23, the Hollyland Lark M2S Mini Combo is on sale for $103 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: HollyView Hollyland Lark M2S Mini Combo $103 at Amazon
$129 Save $26   Get Deal

If you make videos for a living (or just for fun), finding the right gear can make all the difference. And if you're just starting out, you definitely don't want to be dropping hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on equipment. That's where the Hollyland Lark M2S Mini Combo comes in. It's a bundle that includes wireless microphones, transmitters, receivers, and all the essential accessories you need to create great sounding content.

And as of Oct. 22, the Hollyland Lark M2S Mini Combo is on sale for $26 off, bringing the price down to just $103. There are several bundle options, all of which are reduced for a limited time at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Take great recordings with $40 off the DJI Mic 2 while it's in stock at Amazon

This is a perfect bundle for shooting content on the go. The microphones come with clips to easily attach to clothing, and can maintain a stable connection from up to 300 meters away. The battery life is impressive too, with each transmitter and receiver lasting around nine hours, with the added charging case providing up to 30 hours in total.

Advanced noise cancellation will remove any low-frequency background noise, and you can adjust two levels of ENC through the LarkSound app. It also connects with all kinds of devices, including cameras, phones, and laptops through its USB-C and 3.5 mm connections.

Get this microphone bundle deal at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $10: As of Oct. 23, the Mega Evolution Mega Latias ex Box is $29.99 at TCGplayer, compared to $40.59 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Mega Latias ex Box $29.99 at Amazon
$40.59 Save $10.60   Get Deal

Looking for your Mega Evolution fix? Phantasmal Flames is just around the corner, but Mega Evolution stocks are flowing. And in all honesty it's showing how much big box retailers like Amazon are over-charging for Pokémon TCG products right now. TCGplayer is selling the Mega Evolution Mega Latias ex Box for $29.99 right now — that's $10.60 cheaper than Amazon's $40.59 listing.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Inside you'll find two Mega Evolution boosters, one Destined Rivals, and one Journey Together. There's also a promo Mega Latias ex card and a jumbo version, the latter of which are my guilty pleasure. Mega Latias ex is a very cool card to build a deck around. Its Strife attack deals 40 damage and swaps out with a benched Pokémon for one colorless energy, with Illusory Impulse dealing 300 damage and a full energy discard. It's also a basic Pokémon card, so this can be played straight onto a players bench for quick results.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Of course, Mega Evolution Pokémon cards are seriously in demand right now, and for the first set in a new era of Pokémon TCG, the top chase card values are performing exceptionally well. But with Mega Evolution enhanced booster boxes going for around $260 right now, trainers would likely save money paying out for their chase card. Here's the top five chase cards in Mega Evolution, including values and where to buy them:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $564.49
   Most recent sale: $499

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $537.99
   Market price: $553.53
   Most recent sale: $530.10

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $279.99
   Market price: $305.92
   Most recent sale: $285.94

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $294.97
   Market price: $298.44
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $244.99
   Market price: $202.49
   Most recent sale: $187.70

NEAR-MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 23, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution three-pack blister is $29.89 at Amazon, a rare instance of Pokémon TCG selling for near market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution 3-Pack Blister $29.89 at Amazon
  Get Deal

Looking for your Mega Evolution fix? Given that Phantasmal Flames is just around the corner, it's getting a little crazy out there keeping up with new Pokémon TCG sets. Whilst Amazon are currently charging way above market value for sealed product, Mega Evolution three-pack blisters are down to near market value at $29.89, compared to $28.50 on TCGplayer.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

I'd still recommend putting that extra dollar in your pocket with TCGplayer, seeing Amazon behave themselves with pricing is nice to see. It's not MSRP, but it's going in the right direction. Remember, TCGplayer is supposed to be more expensive as it's a secondary collectors market. So if big box retailers are being shown up by TCGplayer, it's a very sad state of affairs.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you fancy saving more Pokédollars long term, I'd highly recommend just buying the single Pokémon cards you've been chasing instead. It's more money upfront in some cases, but with Mega Evolution enhanced booster boxes going for around $260 right now, you could get some of the top chase cards instead. Trust me, a couple of booster boxes don't guarantee ridiculously valuable pulls:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $564.49
   Most recent sale: $499

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $537.99
   Market price: $553.53
   Most recent sale: $530.10

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $279.99
   Market price: $305.92
   Most recent sale: $285.94

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $294.97
   Market price: $298.44
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $244.99
   Market price: $202.49
   Most recent sale: $187.70

SAVE OVER $1,000: As of Oct. 23, the Anker Solix F3000 portable power station is on sale for $1,468.99 at Amazon. This is 43% off and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix F3000 Portable Power Station $1,468.99 at Amazon
$2,599 Save $1,130.01   Get Deal

Black Friday may not be until next month, but retailers like Amazon are already stocked with some exciting deals. Right now there's a wide range of deals on portable power stations. If you've been keeping an eye out for a big model to keep at-home as backup or for camping trips, the Anker Solix F3000 portable power station has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon.

The Anker Solix F3000 portable power station is currently enjoying a massive discount of over $1,000 at Amazon. Its price has dropped from $2,599 to $1,468.99 for a limited time, making for 43% in savings. More importantly, it has never been this cheap according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. Don't miss out on this power station at its record-low price.

SEE ALSO: Scary: Best Buy will start dropping early Black Friday deals on Halloween

In particular, the Anker Solix F3000 is great for keeping as backup power in your home. In the event of an outage, it features 3,072Wh of power that can keep essential appliances in your home going for up to 10 hours. And if you purchase additional batteries, you can even expand to 24kWh that can provide you with up to 80 hours of power. And in terms of its portability, it features handles and wheels to make moving it around nice and easy.

You'll want to act fast to take advantage of this limited-time deal. Don't miss out on 43% off the Anker Solix F3000 portable power station at Amazon.

Amazon has plenty more portable power station deals to check out right now, too. Another deal worth checking out is on the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station.

TL;DR: As of Oct. 20, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $239 at Amazon (exclusively for Prime members). That's $50 off and the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60   Get Deal

DJI and its range of products are seriously popular with TikTokers, YouTubers, filmmakers, and you, probably. DJI's drones, portable power stations, and microphones are regularly on the lists of top-selling products on Mashable, so you better believe we're going to shout about a record-low price on the DJI Mini 4K drone at Amazon.

As of Oct. 20, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for £239 at Amazon. According to camelcamelcamel, that's the lowest-ever price for this model. This deal is exclusive for Prime members. Not a member? No problem — simply sign up for a 30-day free trial to make the most of this limited-time offer.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

It's looking like DJI drones might be banned by the end of 2025, so if you're interested in getting your hands on something before crunch time, we recommend checking out this deal.

We should flag that this drone is being sold by Hibikin-US. We don't generally recommend purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon, but DJI is facing problems importing its drones and stock is running low, so we're making some allowances right now.

Score the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $240 at Amazon.

A dead star core about 145 light-years away in space is doing anything but resting in peace. 

Astronomers have learned that this white dwarf, the remnant of a medium-size star after running out of nuclear fuel, has gobbled up a rocky planet from its former system. The weird part: This white dwarf isn't newly deceased but has been a corpse for about 3 billion years. 

The star remnant, called LSPM J0207+3331, demonstrates that even very ancient planetary systems don't become cosmic ghost towns after their host stars perish, but remain active for a long time after, challenging assumptions about the end stages of a star, including those to come for our own sun.

A dead star that no longer generates fusion doesn't cease to influence its surroundings, John Debes, a co-investigator of the study at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, explained to Mashable. Though its temperature gradually cools, its gravity remains.

"White dwarfs are truly like the dying coals after a fire," Debes said. "For many billions of years, (the remnant) still emits light and radiation, which no doubt have an effect." 

SEE ALSO: On a Saturn moon, chemicals can do things they can't on Earth

Despite the white dwarf's age, it has a disk of debris chock-full of heavy elements. This material is evidence that something rocky — a dwarf planet like Pluto, moon, or an asteroid — was recently reeled in and torn apart, according to the study, which appears in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Using the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, researchers detected 13 different chemical elements in the white dwarf’s atmosphere — including iron, nickel, silicon, and calcium — that don’t belong there. The chemical mix looks similar to that of Earth, except with a pinch of iron and nickel. The findings suggest the star consumed a small world about 120 miles wide with a large metallic core, possibly even larger in proportion than Earth’s, the authors said.

The W.M. Keck Observatory, the twin domes on the left, detected 13 different chemical elements in the white dwarf's atmosphere that don't belong there. Credit: Toni Salama / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The most likely explanation for this is that some kind of disturbance — perhaps a gravitational nudge from another planet — knocked the little world out of its orbit in the past few million years, they said, causing it to spiral toward the white dwarf and meet its demise.

It's highly unusual to find so much rocky material around an old white dwarf, said Patrick Dufour, a coauthor from the Université de Montréal, especially one with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Until now, nearly all white dwarfs showing this kind of contamination had helium-dominated atmospheres, where heavy elements are easier to spot. 

"White dwarfs are truly like the dying coals after a fire."

The new results show that even cool, hydrogen-rich white dwarfs, which make up the bulk of known white dwarfs, can gather and feast on planetary debris for billions of years.

The researchers think hidden worlds the size of Jupiter may be orbiting the white dwarf, shaking up the system from afar. These giant exoplanets would be hard to see directly because they’re cold and distant, but future observations from telescopes such as the European Space Agency's Gaia and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope could try to find them.

Scientists are interested in LSPM J0207+3331 because, in its past life, it wasn't just any star but one not too dissimilar from our own. Studying it may shed light on the final act for our solar system, in about 5 billion years after the sun dies. 

"We definitely are seeing that planetary systems are active and have so much to tell us at all life stages of a star," Debes said. "It opens the interesting possibility that our own solar system will have an active and interesting life beyond when our own sun turns into a white dwarf." 

TL;DR: Make AI work for you with this lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI’s Basic Plan for just $39.99 (reg. $204).

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Basic Plan) $39.99
$204 Save $164.01   Get Deal

Sure, AI is great. But each model has different strengths, and it isn’t very helpful if you don’t know which tool to use for which purpose. That’s where ChatPlayground AI comes in, offering a convenient spot to compare multiple models side-by-side. Right now, a lifetime subscription to this handy service can be yours for just $39.99 (reg. $204).

If you really want to make AI work for you, ChatPlayground AI can help. This platform lets you skip the tab-hopping, allowing you to check out a variety of AI model’s responses in one convenient spot. It works as a Chrome extension, so it’s easy to access at any time.

SEE ALSO: The 2025 MacBook Air M4 is under $850 right now at Amazon — act fast to save $150

ChatPlayground AI serves up results from Gemini 1.5 Flash, Claude Sonnet 4, Llama, GPT-4o, DeepSeek V3, Perplexity, and more than 40 other models. You’ll see them all in one window, so you can compare and contrast each models’ results and determine which one is best for your request.

This lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI’s basic plan gives you the ability to chat with images and PDFs, create AI-generated images, and also offers prompt engineering. It saves your chat history, so you can keep track of past requests and reference older conversations.

Once you’ve got this subscription, you no longer need to buy monthly subscriptions to the individual services. You’ll receive unlimited messages every month, have access to priority customer support, and receive speedy assistance when you need it.

Secure a lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI’s Basic Plan for only $39.99 (reg. $204).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Cut the cloud storage subscription cord with FolderFort and this lifetime subscription to the 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan, now just $119.99 (reg. $749).

Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $119.99
$749 Save $629.01   Get Deal

Ready to start saving money every single month? Stop paying those hefty cloud storage subscription fees. FolderFort lets you own your cloud storage for life, and right now, a lifetime subscription to its 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan is just $119.99 (reg. $749).

Stop renting your cloud storage and start owning it. FolderFort gives you a permanent place to store your precious data — from photos, videos, documents, and other important files.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Word will now automatically save your docs in the cloud

Safeguard 2TB of data with no monthly subscription fees, while resting easy knowing that your files are safe. FolderFort uses Backblaze to deliver encrypted protection, high-speed access, fast transfers, and 99.99% uptime.

With FolderFort, you can log in and share files from all your devices. It offers cross-platform accessibility, and it’s super user-friendly. Need to send a photo to a family member? Or a document to a colleague? You can create a link to folders or files and give anyone access, or make a public link and share even wider.

Since we’re continuously amassing data, FolderFort knows it’s important to be able to scale your storage as needed. You will have access to unlimited expansion options so that it can grow with you for life.

Secure a lifetime subscription to FolderFort’s 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan for just $119.99 (reg. $749).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in October 2025: Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $29.99/month for a year, then $35.99/month Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle $12.99/month with ads Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From A Complete Unknown to the new Alien: Earth series (check out our review here), it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained through these darker months.

If any of these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash. This includes a great limited time offer on the new Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle. If you're a sports fan, you can sign up for this plan for $29.99 per month for a year right now.

SEE ALSO: 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 5 review: Who cares about murders when the vibes are this immaculate?

Considering Hulu and Disney Plus have just increased their prices, there's no better time than now to find a way to save through bundles. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.

You can get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best ESPN bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $29.99/month for a year, then $35.99/month Get Deal

Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also has plans for sports fans that throw in ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+." For those interested in the latter, the good news is there's a promotion going on right now.

The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is currently available for $29.99 per month for a year. The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $38.99 per month for a year.

These discounted bundles are only available for new and eligible returning subscribers through Jan. 5, 2026. Once the year is up, they'll go back to their full prices of $35.99 per month with ads and $44.99 per month without.

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $29.99 per month for a year (then $35.99 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $38.99 per month for a year (then $44.99 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $29.99 per month

Best HBO Max bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 41%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 39%)

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Bundle $12.99/month with ads Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, the next best thing is the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $12.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle — $12.99 per month

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $11.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $11.99 per month (get first month free), $119.99 per year

• Hulu Premium (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $89.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $99.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $89.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select (no ads) — $99.99 per month

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select — $94.99 per month

• Live TV Only — $88.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

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.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of the week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for horrifying Halloween-worthy watches, rom-com charmers, gut-churning true crime, or adventures that are totally mathematical, we've got something just for you.

12. Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order

If you loved Rolin Jones' riveting TV adaptation of Interview with the Vampire, AMC is hoping you'll follow that affection to their new spinoff, Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order. Created by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks), this drama series follows the goings-on of the curious group introduced in Season 2 of Interview with the Vampire through Raglan James (Justin Kirk).

However, Kirk — who has a saucy chemistry with Eric Bogosian's hard-nosed interviewer — is not the leading man of Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order. Instead, the series stars Nicholas Denton as a new human recruit to the order while William Fichtner plays a vampire who's pulling the strings of the order to his own ends. There's plenty of intrigue, plus witches, ghouls, and clairvoyants, but frankly too few vampires. Without them, Talamasca lacks bite. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner, Elizabeth McGovern, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Céline Buckens

How to watch: Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order premieres Oct. 26 on AMC and AMC+.

11. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The 1992 version of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle was a box-office smash that drew praise for Rebecca De Mornay's vicious femme fatale masquerading as a nice nanny. The 2025 version keeps the premise of a revenge-seeking blonde infiltrating the home of her secret nemesis as a nanny. But screenwriter Micah Bloomberg and director Michelle Garza Cervera bring some new twists to the mix. Chief among them, you won't know going in what ax this nanny has to grind against the mother of the house.

As Polly, Maika Monroe is more of a mystery, wheedling her way into the life and home of Caitlin Morales (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and swiftly winning over the affections of her two children and her husband (Raúl Castillo). But Caitlin's best friend (Martin Starr, taking the Julianne Moore role from the original) is suspicious. The journey isn't as juicy or campy as the '92 version. Still, blood will spill along with secrets, with Cervera delivering jaw-dropping gore along with a climax you won't see coming. — K.P.

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Maika Monroe, Raúl Castillo, and Martin Starr

How to watch: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is now playing on Hulu.

10. Nobody Wants This, Season 2

Emmy-nominated rom-com Nobody Wants This returns for a second season this fall, in which viewers will see how podcaster Joanne (Kristen Bell) and rabbi Noah's (Adam Brody) relationship has progressed. How will they continue to navigate their different faiths? And what's next after the honeymoon phase?

On top of the return of Bell and Brody, Nobody Wants This has added several new guest stars in Season 2, including Leighton Meester (Brody's real-life wife) as Joanne's high school nemesis turned Instagram mommy influencer, Abby.* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Seth Rogen, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Jackie Tohn, Michael Hitchcock, Stephanie Faracy, Paul Ben-Victor, Tovah Feldshuh, Sherry Cola, D'Arcy Carden, Leighton Meester, Miles Fowler, Alex Karpovsky, and Arian Moayed

How to watch: Nobody Wants This is now streaming on Netflix.

9. The Monster of Florence

Before there was the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter, there was the real deal that inspired him, the Monster of Florence. Targeting couples out on romantic dates, the Monster — as the Italian media dubbed him — murdered 16 victims between 1968 and 1985.

For years, this story has fascinated authors and actors. George Clooney and Antonio Banderas have long been developing a movie based on Douglas Preston's nonfiction book The Monster of Florence. However, Leonardo Fasoli and Stefano Sollima have beaten them to the punch, creating an Italian mini-series that digs into the investigation. If you don't know this story, brace yourselves. It's a dark ride. — K.P.

Starring: Marco Bullitta, Valentino Mannias, and Francesca Olia

How to watch: The Monster of Florence is now on Netflix.

8. The Long Walk

One of several high-profile Stephen King adaptations to be hitting screens this year — hi, The Running Man and IT: Welcome to Derry! — The Long Walk conjures up a nightmarish dystopian future in which the U.S. hosts a yearly death march for young men. The last walker standing wins any wish that their heart desires, but at what cost?

SEE ALSO: 'The Long Walk's brutal ending, explained: Who wins?

Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed four of the five Hunger Games films, pulls no punches in The Long Walk. The result is a relentlessly bleak saga buoyed by a talented young cast that includes Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Ben Wang. Serious emphasis on bleak, as this movie is not for the faint of heart (or anyone looking for a happy watch). As I wrote in my review, "After almost two hours of being immersed in this string of deaths, you may find yourself begging, 'Enough already!' The Long Walk, however, does not let up, trapping you in a never-ending nightmare of bloodied feet and fraying minds." — B.E.

Starring: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Joshua Odjick, Roman Griffin Davis, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Long Walk is now available on digital.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

7. Anyone But You

Looking for a frothy rom-com to watch this week? Then check out Anyone But You, now on Hulu.

Directed by Easy A's Will Gluck, the film stars the buzzy pairing of Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as Ben and Beatrice, mortal enemies who must set aside their differences during a wedding. Enter fake dating tropes, ridiculous pratfalls, and several charming renditions of Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." Part sneaky Much Ado About Nothing adaptation, part Australian tourism ad, Anyone But You is pure fun, and I can't lie, I eat it up. — B.E.

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Bryan Brown, and Rachel Griffiths

How to watch: Anyone But You is now streaming on Hulu.

6. The Roses

Director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) and screenwriter Tony McNamara (The Favourite) joined forces for a new adaptation of Warren Adler's darkly comic novel about divorce, The War of the Roses. Starring as the warring Roses, Theo and Ivy, are Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, supported by an array of familiar faces and Saturday Night Live alumni.

SEE ALSO: 'The Roses' cast reveals the secrets of that heated dinner party

However, all this star power can't make up a lack of bite. While The Roses has its moments, Roach's version never gets as dark, sexy, or totally twisted as The War of the Roses movie helmed by and co-starring Danny DeVito back in 1989. In my review, I lamented, "The Roses by any other name would still be a middling comedy, but compared to the caustic and sexy '89 gem? It can't shine." — K.P.

Starring: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Belinda Bromilow, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao, and Kate McKinnon

How to watch: The Roses is now on digital.

5. A House of Dynamite

What if you had 19 minutes before nuclear war kicked off? What could you possibly do to stop it? Or, failing that, what unfinished business would you want to tackle? This is the nauseating question at the center of A House of Dynamite. Academy Award–winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) teams with Zero Day writer Noah Oppenheim — and an all-star cast — to show what it might look like if one of the United States' enemies launched a missile at one of our nation's major cities.

SEE ALSO: 'A House of Dynamite' review: Idris Elba leads an all-star ensemble nuclear-war thriller

Boasting a star-studded cast, this ensemble drama pitches audiences from politicians to military leaders to intelligence officers and the president (Idris Elba) all trying to make the most of those 19 minutes. Told in three chapters, the 19 minutes replay again and again from different perspectives, illuminating for civilians what an American response to such nuclear aggression could look like. But be warned, this movie will give you anything but a happy ending. — K.P.

Starring: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke

How to watch: House of Dynamite premieres on Netflix on Oct. 24.

4. Bone Lake

With a title like Bone Lake, two possibilities come to mind: The first is that this horror thriller might be set on a lake with a dark past, full of human remains, bones included. The second is that "Bone Lake" is a place to bone — sexually — making it exactly the kind of place where a crazed killer might stalk for prey. And hey, my dude, congrats to you for being right on both counts. 

SEE ALSO: 'Bone Lake' review: The trashy horror you're expecting, but better

As any horror fan worth their salt might hope, Bone Lake delivers as a trashy thriller about sex and murder. But it's also smarter than its title suggests. And yet, it's still plenty stupid in a terrific way. For more on how, check my review for Mashable. — K.P.

Starring: Maddie Hasson, Alex Roe, Andra Nechita, and Marco Pigossi

How to watch: Bone Lake is available on digital on Oct. 24.

3. Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, Season 2

Fionna and Cake return for a mind-bending second season, but we'd expect nothing less from Adam Muto and Pendleton Ward's genderbent spinoff series that officially made these fan-ficted heroines Adventure Time canon.

After saving her dimension from obliteration, Fionna is back to the struggle of adulting. Specifically, she's scrambling for back rent so her baking buddy Gary Prince's sweet shop dreams can come true. But things get way more complicated when back in Ooo, Finn is critically wounded and, in a bid to save him, Huntress Wizard gets pitched into Fionna's realm. What does it all mean? And how might Simon help? You'll have to turn in each week to see. This season will be dropping wild new eps all the way to Christmas. — K.P.

Starring: Madeleine Martin, Roz Ryan, Tom Kenny, Donald Glover, Andrew Rannells, Sean Rohani, and Kayleigh McKee

How to watch: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Season 2 premieres on HBO Max on Oct. 23.

2. Weapons

Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger's new horror movie has proved popular with audiences and critics alike, racking up an impressive $250 million+ at the global box office and a swathe of positive reviews and reactions. It probably helps that the movie's starting point is so intriguing: An entire class of school children, with the exception of one boy, goes missing on the same night at the exact same time, running out of their homes into the darkness and not coming back.

"The last thing I ever want to do is overhype a movie, but just trust me when I say: You are not ready for Weapons," wrote Mashable's Belen Edwards in her review. "I don't mean that in a 'This is the scariest horror movie you'll ever see!' way, although writer-director Zach Cregger stirs up plenty of frights that had my whole theater hollering. Instead, I mean it more in the sense that Weapons is a wonderfully surprising film. Whatever you think it's going to throw at you, chances are you aren't prepared for what it actually lobs your way."* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

Starring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, Amy Madigan, Cary Christopher, June Diane Raphael, Toby Huss, Sara Paxton, Justin Long

How to watch: Weapons begins streaming on HBO Max on Oct. 24.

1. IT: Welcome to Derry

Any new addition to the rapidly growing list of Stephen King adaptations is always something to get excited about, and that goes double when the source material is a classic like IT. Based on Mike Hanlon's historical interlude chapters from the novel, IT: Welcome to Derry acts as a prequel to Andy Muschietti's wildly successful movies, taking us back to the previous killing cycles in which Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård, who returns to the role) terrorized the town.

"My jaw hit the floor 10 minutes into IT: Welcome to Derry, and that's pretty much where it stayed as I kept watching the show," wrote Mashable's Belen Edwards in her review. "The biggest reason for my shock and awe was, of course, IT: Welcome to Derry's scares. This is a Stephen King show, after all, and you're going to get the nightmares to prove it." — S.H.

Starring: Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, Mikkal Karim-Fidler, and Bill Skarsgård

How to watch: IT: Welcome to Derry debuts on HBO Max on Oct. 26, 9 PM ET, with new episodes each Sunday.

(*) denotes a blurb comes from a previous list.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025:

AcrossLike some weather, memories and I.P.A.s

• The answer is Hazy.

Statement that's self-evidently true

• The answer is Axiom.

Civic automaker

• The answer is Honda.

What fear leads to, as Yoda told a young Anakin

• The answer is Anger.

Foxlike

• The answer is Sly.

DownVerbal "lol"

• The answer is Haha.

Brain signal transmitter

• The answer is Axon.

Hits with a witty comeback

• The answer is Zings.

Sing at the top of a mountain, maybe

• The answer is Yodel.

Name of the famous "Queen of Scots"

• The answer is Mary.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

It's 2025, and vlogging — live action video blogging, posted on social media sites — is just a part of everyday life. Even if you don’t consider yourself a vlogger, you could be one without even realising it. Do you post little videos of yourself? Or talk-up your top products and style items, influencer-style? If that sounds familiar, you're vlogging.

Sure, everyone has good camera on their smartphone. But an actual camera can offer lots more, particularly in terms of pro-level features and image quality. All of which means it could be time to upgrade from your phone to a dedicated vlogging camera.

How do you know which camera to choose to help make your vlog really pop? It's hard enough getting your head around all the social media platforms out there, not to mention the best hardware — especially if you're a beginner who's still just exploring the world of vlogs. But don't worry, content creators: We're here to help. Here's some helpful information and a round-up of the best cameras for vlogging.

What makes a camera good for vlogging?

Technically, you could point any video-recording camera at yourself and start nattering away. But there are specific features that make vlogging easier and better:

Video quality — Pay attention to video resolution. You'll see 4K in most video-recording cameras these days. All the cameras on this list record in 4K as a minimum. Some record with an even higher resolution, such as 5K or 6.2K.

Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth — Finding a camera with built-in WiFi can save you a step as your videos can automatically appear on your smartphone or PC. Some cameras even post directly to social media, which is great for vloggers.

Microphone input — Video quality may get your viewers through the door, but great sound will help keep them there. There isn't a camera out there without a built-in mic. But for even better quality sound, choose a camera that lets you connect an external mic so you can always upgrade. Without that port you're stuck.

Stabilisation — Some vloggers just sit in their bedroom and talk to camera – which is fine. But if you want to record videos beyond that you'll want to search for a camera that has built-in optical image stabilisation. It'll help ensure that your videos come out smooth no matter what activity you're doing.

Megapixels — If you aren't really concerned about shooting still photographs, Megapixels don't really matter. Though it’s hard to imagine you won’t use a camera for stills — particularly if you’re a selfie-a-holic. And hey, what vlogger isn’t?

Keep these things in mind when shopping around for a vlogging camera.

What camera features do you not need for vlogging?

A vlogging camera is different to a regular camera. This is not traditional photography, so don’t get caught out spending extra on more traditional features. Here are a couple of features you probably don’t need:

Zoom — You don't actually need a camera with impeccable zoom unless you're a travel blogger. Zoom is just one of those things that's nice to have for photography, but for video you'll probably just be shooting yourself relatively close-up. 

Flash — To get the best quality video possible, you'll want to shoot in well-lit environments. Some cameras do have night vision, but how often do you really need that? Amazon has several lighting bundles that can help illuminate your space like a proper studio set-up, and many are pretty decently priced.

How much does a vlogging camera cost?

It should come as no surprise (hey, we all know regular cameras are expensive), but be prepared to fork out at least a few hundred pounds. The cheapest camera on this list is just a touch under £280, and prices go up to £2,000 — plus the cost of lenses and other equipment, such as a tripod, microphones, or a fancy selfie stick.

What is the best camera for vlogging?

No two vloggers are the same. Everyone has their own content style and preferences. Which means that not everyone will benefit from the exact same camera. In other words, we can’t tell you which camera is best. But we can help by pointing you towards a selection of cameras for a variety of vlogging needs.

These are the best cameras for vlogging in 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

Employees.

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

STAFF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An anchorage.

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

BERTH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To revolt.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

REBEL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A label.

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

BRAND

Final Hurdle hint

To surpass.

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

OUTDO

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

Ever wondered what's happening with the moon each night? Wonder no more, we've got all the information you need about tonight's lunar offering.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Oct. 23, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There will be 4% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

But sadly there's still too little lit up to see anything, but just wait a few days and it will brighten up our skies soon enough.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases, like Waxing Crescent, are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit. The cycle occurs when the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth change. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Thursday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 23 Pips

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

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

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this orange space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 23 Pips

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (27): Everything in this space must add to 27. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 23 Pips

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

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

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add to 24. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (26): Everything in this space must add to 26. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand basketball.

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

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

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

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

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

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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: 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: Audience noise

• Green: Basketball plays

• Blue: Minor league teams

• Purple: Spelled like a stat

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Sounds From The Crowd

• Green: Basketball Offenses

• Blue: Triple-A Baseball Teams

• Purple: Ends with a Basketball Stat

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 #395 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Sounds From The Crowd - BOO, CHEER, CLAP, WHISTLE

• Basketball Offenses- MOTION, PICK AND ROLL, PRINCETON, TRIANGLE

• Triple-A Baseball Teams - ACES, JUMBO SHRIMP, SOUNDS, STORM CHASERS

• Ends with a Basketball Stat - AFOUL, BASSIST, COUNTERPOINT, SUNBLOCK

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

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

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

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

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is an invaluable resource that does exactly what it says in the nonprofit organization's name: It archives the internet. The Internet Archive is responsible for archiving around 500 million webpages per day.

However, there has been a concerning change to the platform in recent months. According to a new report by Nieman Lab, the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine has been archiving certain websites much less lately. Even more concerning: Many of those websites are news-related.

According to the report by Neiman Lab, the Wayback Machine archived 1.2 million snapshots from 100 major news websites' homepages between Jan. 1 and May 15, 2025. Suddenly, though, in mid-May, this changed.

The Wayback Machine only took 148,628 snapshots from those same 100 news websites' homepages between May 17 and Oct. 1, 2025. That's a whopping 87 percent drop in the number of archived pages between the first four months of the year and the preceding five months.

CNN's homepage, for example, was archived by the Wayback Machine 34,524 times between Jan. 1 and May 15. Only 1,903 snapshots of the homepage since then are in the Wayback Machine.

SEE ALSO: The Internet Archive just became an official U.S. federal library

Mashable reported in July that, thanks to a new designation by California Senator Alex Padilla, the Internet Archive will join a network of more than 1,000 libraries around the country tasked with archiving government documents for public view.

Mark Graham, the director of the Wayback Machine, told Nieman Lab that "a breakdown in some specific archiving projects in May ... caused less archives to be created for some sites." According to Graham, some of the missing snapshots have just not had their index structure built yet and would be added to the Wayback Machine archive soon. 

As Nieman Lab pointed out, a five-month delay due to index issues is uncommon. According to Graham, the Internet Archive has been experiencing delays due to "various operational reasons" such as "resource allocation." The Internet Archive did not specify or provide any more information to Nieman Lab about the issue.

Newspapers have long been archived for the historical record. However, in the age of the internet, most newspapers, aside from the legacy media giants, have largely gone unarchived recently. News media websites have taken their place as the historical record. And, since 1996, the Internet Archive has taken up the responsibility of storing those webpage archives.

However, the nonprofit has seen difficulties in recent years. As Nieman Lab reports, the Internet Archive's 2023 expenses were $32.7 million. It takes a lot of resources to not only crawl the internet but store the data too. The nonprofit only brought in $23 million in revenue that same year.

In addition, the Internet Archive fell victim last October to a huge data breach which took the site, along with the Wayback Machine, offline. It took weeks for the site to be fully restored.