Blogroll

We regret to inform you that the "6-7" trend — which basically involves kids saying "6-7" whenever they can — has grown so big that dictionary.com has actually made "67" the word of the year. And Stephen Colbert is just as confused as the rest of us.

"No! Word of the year has to be a word, not numbers. Some things can't be numbers!" says an exasperated Colbert in the Late Show clip above.

"For the uninitiated, 6-7 is a viral trend where if anyone says the number six or the number seven, or if there's any reason to talk about numbers at all, every young person within earshot goes, "6-7". As in, what time do you get off work? 6-7. Or, how many cookies did you eat? 6-7. On a scale of 1-5, how dumb does Stephen feel explaining this? 6-7."

BELOW MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 31, Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender sealed product preorders are below market value at Amazon compared to TCGplayer.

MTGs Universe Beyond series is absolutely killing it in 2025 — the fact that we've seen Final Fantasy and Spider-Man get their own sets is still an unreal thought to me, but here we are with Avatar: The Last Airbender dropping Nov. 21. The Nickeloeon crew are eating good in all honesty, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dropping in March next year as well, but we digress.

What's new in MTG: Avatar?

Every nation is represented in MTG: Avatar, with iconic characters like Aang, Katara, Zuko, and Toph dropping in with unique colors that represent their journeys in the now cult-classic series. For example, Katara's card path goes from blue to green, to white and blue, with the latter representing her path to Bant.

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

The Commander Magic: The Gathering format looks like a big focus in this Universes Beyond set, with Toph, Earthbending Master, and Wan Shi Tong, All Knowing set to be top Commander leader material. Is this going to be your first MTG experience? Well, Jumpstart Boosters are a great way to kick things off. The idea behind jumpstart is to make deckbuilding easier as you can combine any two booster packs into a 40-card deck.

Not only is it a quick way to get into the game, but it's an even playing field for new players to get to grips with gameplay mechanics.

The best preorder prices for MTG: Avatar

If you're a regular visitor to TCG material here at Mashable, you should know that we're constantly on the lookout for the best deals and making sure they measure up against the secondary market in terms of value. With Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender, it's looking like Amazon is making good on their preorder price guarantee, keeping pricing at or below current market values.

Single Cards have also started popping up on TCGPlayer, so we'll make sure to check out the top chase cards on there right now and make sure your choices are well-informed. Let's get into it:

Magic: The Gathering — Avatar Play Booster Box Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering — Avatar Play Booster Box $169.99 at Amazon
$176.98 Save $6.99   Pre-order Here

So this is going to be a seasoned MTG player's bread and butter. Each Play Booster Box has 30 MTG: Avatar Play Boosters containing 14 cards. Breaking this down, expect seven Commons (with one out of 26 boosters including a TLE card in-place of one Common), three Uncommons, one Wildcard, one Rare or Mythic Rare, one Traditional Foil, one Land Card, and one Non-foil DFC helper card or double-sided token.

If you're looking to dive straight into deckbuilding and play, go for it, but it might be a wiser idea to go for the Jumpstart booster box if you're brand new to everything.

Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $99.94 at TCGplayer
$126.70 Save $26.76   Pre-order Here

TCGplayer is taking the lead by nearly $25 saved on preorders including shipping. This isn't one for collectors or hardcore players, but for casual and new players who just want to grab a could of booster packs and play.

There's 24 booster packs in this box that have 20 cards each. Combine two for a 40-card deck and have at it, including the land cards you'll need to get going. There's 61 possible Jumpstart deck themes here, with each pack containing one or two Rare or Mythic Rare cards.

Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Commander’s Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Commander’s Bundle $109.99 at Amazon
$149.98 Save $39.99   Pre-order Here

The Commander Bundle is a great starting point for MTG: Avatar and comes with practical things instead of fluff. Get Nine Play Boosters, one Collector Booster, five Boarderless cards that are ideal for Commander play, 15 traditional Land cards, and 15 regular Land cards. Plenty of deckbuilding life goals right there.

You also get a nice card storage box which comes in handy for storing bulk, and there's an Avatar-branded life click wheel included too. It's so much easier and tidier to keep track with a click wheel instead of using dice or counters.

Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Bundle $71.99 at TCGPlayer
$74.98 Save $2.99   Pre-order Here

Amazon takes the best price again for the bundle box, and it's good value for money. Players will get nine Play Boosters, one Alt-Art Traditional Foil Card, 15 Traditional Lands including five full arts, 15 Regular Land cards with five full arts, one oversized Spindown life counter, a card storage box, and two reference cards. If you're not into Commander but want a good deckbuilding experience out-the-gate, this is it.

Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box £32.98 at TCGPlayer
£36.99 Save £4.01   Pre-order Here

Although Amazon is very close in price at $36.99, TCGplayer is the cheapest place to pre-order the beginner box right now at $32.98. If you're really nervous about getting started with Jumpstart boosters, the beginner box is a nice guided way into the world of Magic: The Gathering in general.

You'll kick things off with two 20-card decks featuring Aang and Zuko, eight Avatar-themed 20-card decks, two playmats, two Spindown Life Counters, two learn to play guides, five double-sided tokens, and a rules reference booklet. This is ideal for introducing a group to the game as a spontanious games night buy, and you can't loose for the price point.

Most valuable Magic: The Gathering — Avatar cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're all about collecting chase cards when it comes to Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender, TCGplayer has you covered with single card listings and prices. Expect these prices to fluctuate massively, but it's also a good time to snap a card up before it blows up post-release. Here's the top five right now, including value and price information and links to buy them right now:

1. Avatar Aang (Borderless) #308
   Near Mint Holofoil: $125
   Market price: $134.99
   Most recent sale: $134.99

2. Badgermole Cub (Borderless) #326
   Near Mint Holofoil: $59.99
   Market price: $65
   Most recent sale: $65

3. Ozai, the Phoenix King (Borderless) #311
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58
   Market price: $64.99
   Most recent sale: $64.99

4. Sozin's Comet (Borderless) #309
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58
   Market price: $64.99
   Most recent sale: $64.99

5. White Lotus Tile (Borderless) #330
   Near Mint Holofoil: $51
   Market price: $59.94
   Most recent sale: $59.95

When it comes to used muscle cars, the options are seriously tempting. From 2005 Mustang GTs that roar to classic El Caminos that can haul just about anything, there’s something for every kind of enthusiast.

TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA Cup for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Is the NBA Cup simply a distraction from regular season games? Or is it something that adds genuine value to the league? If last season's competition is anything to go by, we're going with the latter. And who doesn't want to see more games with real consequences? If participating teams want to progress, they need to win right now.

If you want to watch Celtics vs. 76ers in the NBA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Celtics vs. 76ers?

Celtics vs. 76ers in the NBA Cup starts at 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This game takes place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How to watch Celtics vs. 76ers for free

Celtics vs. 76ers in the NBA Cup is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK and U.S., but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK or U.S., meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK or U.S.

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Just when I thought I'd seen everything in AI transcription, I tried the Plaud Note Pro. This ultrathin handheld device is a credit-card-sized pro voice recorder that provides audio recordings, AI note-taking, and extra features that make it a stand-out accessory for professionals and students.

TL;DR: Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025 NBA Cup for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA Cup is up and running with a number of really interesting matchups, including Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers. All eyes will be on Austin Reaves as he looks to continue his incredible form in the absence of LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

If you want to watch Grizzlies vs. Lakers in the NBA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Grizzlies vs. Lakers?

Grizzlies vs. Lakers in the NBA Cup starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This game takes place at the FedExForum.

How to watch Grizzlies vs. Lakers for free

Grizzlies vs. Lakers in the NBA Cup is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK and U.S., but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK or U.S., meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK or U.S.

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $1,300: As of Oct. 31, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $1,199 at Amazon. That's a 52% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3000 $1,199.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,300.00   Get Deal

If you're in need of a whole-home backup solution to a power cut, look no further than Jackery. One of the most recognizable names in the power station game, you'll be able to find something in the range that fits your needs. And right now, you can get a great deal on the Jackery HomePower 3000, a powerful unit designed to keep you running for days.

As of Oct. 31, this model is down to $1,199 at Amazon. That's over 50% off and its lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: The Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is $500 off right now at Amazon

Designed for both homes and outdoor use, this really is a powerhouse of a unit. It gives a 3,600W output (7,200W surge) with a 3,072Wh capacity, so it's capable of powering all your essential household devices like refrigerators, fans, routers, and lights for up to 15 hours. Jackery notes it can keep a fridge running for one to two days during an outage.

Recharging is clever too, and there's a few options. It can fully recharge in 1.7 hours using the hybrid AC and DC input, or in 2.2 hours with AC alone. When connected to two SolarSaga 200W panels, it reaches up to 80% charge in about nine hours, and it also supports 12V car and gas generator charging.

If you're in the market for a beast of a power station, get this deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $703: As of Oct. 31, the LG 39-inch Ultragear WQHD is on sale for $896.99 at Amazon. That's a 44% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 39-inch Ultragear WQHD $896.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $703   Get Deal

If you're serious about gaming, you need a seriously good setup, complete with curved monitor. And if you've been on the hunt for the right model for a while, we think you might like the latest deal on the LG 39-inch Ultragear WQHD.

As of Oct. 31, this monitor is on sale for $896.99. That's a huge saving of $703 on list price. This price is for the 39-inch model, but you can also find the 34-inch model on sale for $899.97 (you don't need to employ girl maths here to excuse buying the bigger screen).

SEE ALSO: The Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is $500 off right now at Amazon

For just shy of $1,000, you're going to want a pretty stellar screen, and you won't be disappointed. This monitor has a steep 800R curve, 1300-nit peak brightness, and OLED technology. So no matter what you're playing, you'll have incredible quality and vibrant colors.

It can keep up with even the fastest of gaming sessions thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (GtG) response time. It also has AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC to reduce tearing. For comfort, this screen also benefits from an anti-glare coating to reduce reflections, and a stand with adjustable swivel, tilt, and height.

Get this curved gaming monitor deal from Amazon.

SAVE $500: As of Oct. 31, the Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 is on sale for $1,799.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 22% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9 $1,799.99 at Amazon
$2,299.99 Save $500.00   Get Deal

A curved monitor screen is a really immersive way to elevate your gaming setup, and if you've been looking for a great deal before taking the plunge, why not check out this latest discount on the Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9? As of Oct. 31, you can save a whopping $500 with the new price of $1,799.99.

This monitor has so much going for it. Display-wise, it's as wide as two UHD monitors, so on one screen you'll get not just a more expansive view, but everything in great quality. It uses Quantum Matrix Technology and Quantum Mini LED to provide stunning visuals, whether it's improved brightness or accurate colors.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade to a curved OLED gaming monitor for 44% less with this LG UltraGear deal

It supports a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GTG) response time with DisplayPort 2.1 input, so slow, laggy performance is a thing of the past. It also benefits from AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. This ensures smooth gaming and consistent visuals, even during fast-moving scenes.

Connectivity options include a DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and a USB hub for flexible setups. And for comfort during long sessions, this monitor has an ergonomic stand that can swivel, tilt, and be height adjusted.

Get this gaming monitor deal from Amazon now.

Amazon agreed to a whopping $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last week over allegedly "deceptive" practices in signing up users to its paid Amazon Prime subscription service.

Out of that settlement, Amazon will pay a $1 billion civil penalty to the U.S. government. The other $1.5 billion? That's the Consumer Fund, and it's going to be used to refund Amazon Prime customers who were affected by these practices.

According to the settlement terms, an estimated 35 million customers are entitled to that $1.5 billion pool, which would amount to a refund of $42.86 per person if distributed evenly. That's not an earth-shattering chunk of change, but free money is free money.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's October Prime Day is coming on October 7 — here are 30+ early deals to shop now Who gets a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement?

The FTC's lawsuit against Amazon, which resulted in the settlement, focused on Amazon's Prime subscription service. The FTC alleged that Amazon intentionally used deceptive designs, also known as dark patterns, to get users to sign up for the paid service and then made it difficult for customers to cancel their subscription.

But that doesn't mean everyone who signed up for Amazon Prime is eligible. 

First, an Amazon user needs to have signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025. In addition, the Prime subscription must have been made via one of the "challenged enrollment flows." 

Basically, a user needed to sign up for Prime through one of those offending designs. Per the FTC, these allegedly deceptive Amazon Prime sign-up designs include the Universal Prime Decision Page, the Shipping Option Select Page, the Prime Video enrollment flow, or the Single Page Checkout. For example, on the Shipping Option Select Page, a user could've chosen the free shipping option without realizing that this would automatically sign them up for an Amazon Prime membership.

Furthermore, the consumer needs to have used their Prime benefits, which include free Prime shipping, no more than three times within 12 months of signing up for Prime.

How to get a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement

There are two ways consumers will be compensated. First, consumers who meet the previous requirements will receive a payout automatically within 90 days, capped at $51. There is no sign-up or opt-in required. Amazon will just refund anyone who's eligible.

After those refunds go out, Amazon will then open a new round of payouts. The e-commerce giant will send out a claims form within 30 days to other customers who are eligible for a refund. The consumers eligible in this round include those who signed up via one of the challenged enrollment flows and also used up to 10 Prime benefits in a 12-month period. Consumers will have 180 days to fill out the claim form and submit it. Amazon will then issue those refunds within 30 days after a review of the claim.

If Amazon has paid out less than $1 billion after this second payout process with the claim forms, then the company must continue to make another tier of customers eligible for a refund. For example, the next group would be anyone who did not submit a claim form, signed up for Prime through a challenged enrollment flow, but used up to four of their Prime benefits. The next eligible group would be those who used up to five of their Prime benefits. 

This would continue until at least $1 billion is paid out of the Consumer Fund.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love a costume.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 24, 2025 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: It's just right

• Green: A Disney princess

• Blue: A famous sailor

• Purple: An iconic arcade game

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

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

• Yellow: Goldilocks

• Green: Cinderella

• Blue: Popeye

• Purple: Ms. Pac-Man

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 #873 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Goldilocks: BEAR, RED, CHAIR, PORRIDGE

• Cinderella: MOUSE, PUMPKIN, SLIPPER, WIND

• Popeye: ANCHOR, CAP, PIPE, SPINACH

• Ms. Pac-Man: BOW, CHERRIES, GHOST, PELLETS

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

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

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you've studied anatomy.

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 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Good bones

The words are related to parts of the body.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the body's structure.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Skeleton.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 31

• SKull

• Ulna

• Femur

• Sterum

• Skeleton

• Radius

• Fibula

• Humerus

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.

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

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 24, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To detest.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

ABHOR

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

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

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.

Apple is selling a ton of iPhones, even older ones, but we're not so sure about the iPhone Air.

During the company's earnings call for the fiscal Q4 Thursday, CEO Tim Cook said there's "very strong demand" for "several models" of the iPhone 17.

"There’s not a ramp issue. It’s just we have very strong demand and we’re working very hard to fulfil all the orders that we have," he said.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17 review: Stuck in the middle with you

Cook also confirmed that demand for iPhone 16 models was very strong during the third quarter.

However, when asked to break down sales per model, Cook (unsurprisingly) denied, saying Apple doesn't like to "publicly disclose that because of the competitive reasons."

Featured Video For You How the iPhone 17 Pro hits a month later

Recent reports and Apple's own wait times for various iPhone models indicated that the company's new iPhone Air isn't selling well. While Cook wouldn't directly comment on that, he did all but confirm it in a very roundabout way by saying there are constrains "at the top and the entry."

Ultimately, however, it's "too early to call the mix," said Cook.

Apple's Q4 results were pretty great overall, with revenue at $102.47 billion (up 8 percent year-over-year) and profit at $27.47 billion (up 87 percent year-over-year). September was particularly great for Apple, as the company set record revenue for both iPhone and services.

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

A bend.

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

CURVE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

What a pig smells with.

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

SNOUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Pinocchio does a lot of this.

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

LYING

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Unfulfilled.

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

UNMET

Final Hurdle hint

To wash off.

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

RINSE

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

It's every parent's worst nightmare. The phone rings in the middle of the night, and it's your child sobbing, calling for your help, and time is running out. What would you do to save them? 

This is the beginning of Hallow Road, the latest thriller from Babak Anvari, director of the critically acclaimed psychological drama Under the Shadow. A call in the night spurs a pair of parents to race out to find their daughter, who's calling them from the scene of car crash. But set mostly in the car on the way to the collision, this on-the-road tale plumbs deeper than the everyday fears parents experience, into something remarkably more disturbing. Written by William Gillies, Hallow Road offers a claustrophobic setting where fear comes from the unknown of what's going on at the other end of the phone line. 

The film's lean premise is certainly enough to intrigue. But the gripping performances of Pike and Rhys, combined with Anvari's ruthlessly riveting direction, will have you gasping for air. 

SEE ALSO: SXSW: What are the movies and shows you need to know about? Hallow Road is a story of parents desperate to save their child. 

Somewhere in England, stoic mother Maddie (Rosamund Pike) gets a frantic phone call from her 18-year-old daughter Alice (Megan McDonnell). Tearfully, the college student tells her mother that she's been in a car collision, and she's about 40 minutes away on a heavily forested stretch known as Hallow Road. And while she's okay, someone is lying in the road, unmoving. 

Maddie, who is a paramedic, calmly begins by asking clarifying questions of her daughter, like if she's called emergency services for help. Meanwhile, Frank — instantly anxious  — insists they rush to the scene. In real time, the couple will clamor into the car, tensions already high. As they comfort Alice over the phone, allusions are made to a fight earlier in the evening, something that caused the girl to run off into the night in distress. But there's also a growing conflict between the mother and father, as one wishes to confront the potentially catastrophic truth of this road incident and the other is desperate to coddle their scared child. 

Incredibly, Hallow Road is shot mostly within the sports utility vehicle the parents drive to the titular scene. Showing remarkable restraint, Gillies' screenplay never urges Anvari to cut to Alice or what she can see from inside her vehicle. Instead, all we see of her during her parents' mad dash is a profile photo beaming up from the caller ID on Maddie's phone. Though it's a chipper photo of a young woman smiling in a colorful knit cap, it's unnerving because of the sharp contrast of her voice, unhinged and weepy on the other end of the line. Other sounds will creep into the call as well, bringing a spine-tingling uncertainty to what exactly is going down on Hallow Road. 

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys are jaw-droppingly intense in Hallow Road. 

This setup of racing to a crash might seem a bit thin for an 80-minute movie, but Hallow Road is pulse-poundingly alive because of the brewing fight between Maddie and Frank. While he's desperate to protect Alice from any negative fallout from this collision, Maddie fears facing the consequences are the only way forward. She cryptically suggests you can't run from what you've done, even if you get away with it. But the full meaning of this will take time to unfold. And in that time, each passing minute throbs with this couple's mounting fear, resentment, and guilt.

Rhys is a raw nerve, bellowing to be in control in a situation far beyond him. Pike, who played the terrifying anti-heroine of Gone Girl and the blithely cruel matriarch of Saltburn, begins weary yet resolute. But as the story races along, each will offer a surprising and fascinating performance that demands to be seen again, in part because of the terrifying secrets they reveal. 

Because the premise of this movie pits its stars against a increasingly menacing phone call, Hallow Road will undoubtedly draw comparisons to movies like the emergency services dispatch thriller The Guilty (either its Danish original or the Jake Gyllenhaal-fronted U.S. remake) or Tom Hardy's car-centric drama Locke. But Hallow Road abruptly veers off from these grounded dramas when someone else shows up on Alice's side of the call. Is it a good Samaritan who just happened to be on a long, dark, remote road at 3 a.m. in the morning? Or does this family have a whole new thing to worry about? Trapped in the car with Maddie and Frank, we, the audience, are in their unenviable shoes. And it's wickedly exhilarating. 

Don't look for spoilers on Hallow Road. 

Surely, it's tempting. Out of its World Premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival, Hallow Road was swiftly gaining buzz among attendees and critics. Personally, I'm glad that colleagues said only that I should see it without going into details. I knew the basic premise. But the gnarly turns in Gillies' script came as a true surprise, giving this critic a rare rush of actually being caught off guard. 

I've been careful not to reveal where Hallow Road goes to protect its deliciously devilish secrets. But I can tell you without spoilers that Anvari's direction is masterful. Though confined to the car, the cinematography of Kit Fraser brings energy through whip pans between parents, and a very tight close-up hovering over a wide-eyed stare of horror, as they can see only the road ahead of them but can hear something strange on the other end of the line. Pike and Rhys lean into this claustrophobic energy, guzzling up all the air in the car with their combativeness, resentments, and agony. And the soundscape of Alice's tinny voice over the phone colliding with curious sounds in the forest around her are so genuinely frightening that I full-on screamed. Twice. 

In the end, Hallow Road is a sensationally scary thriller not only for the surprises it packs but also for the metaphor it makes about parenting. Trapped with a mother and father in a battle for their child's future, the hypothetical becomes intensely real and really harrowing. Like Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp's sophisticated haunted house movie Presence, the anxiety of letting your kid out into the world becomes its own horror, with genre elements feeding in to make that terror hit like a lightning bolt; it will electrify your nerves and rattle you right down to your bones. So when you walk away from Hallow Road, you'll carry its stomach-churning scares with you, perhaps thinking, "There but for the grace of God go I." 

Hallow Road is playing exclusively at AMC theaters Oct. 31 as a double feature with Vincent Must Die.

UPDATE: Oct. 29, 2025, 1:24 p.m. This review was first published on March 13, 2025, where it was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival.

There's actor/director pairings so strong that they come to define the core of both's filmographies: Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, and now Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos. 

Sure, the Greek director was on the rise before collaborating with Stone, having earned international critical acclaim for 2009's Dogtooth, and his first Oscar nomination (for Best Screenplay) for the Colin Farrell-fronted The Lobster. But it was when Lanthimos teamed up with Emma Stone for The Favourite that something changed. That bawdy sapphic comedy not only earned 10 Oscar nominations but also a win for leading lady Olivia Colman. Stone and Lanthimos' follow-up, Poor Things, did even better while getting much wilder, combining the racy humor of The Favourite with the gut-churning science fiction of Frankenstein. Critical praise led to box office success, as well as 11 Oscar nominations and four wins, including Best Actress and Best Picture. 

Despite its sex, violence, dark humor, and gore (or perhaps because of it), Poor Things became the pair's most popular movie to date. Props to them for challenging their audience with what would come next. Kinds of Kindness offered a collection of uncomfortable and unconventional vignettes, involving a husband suspicious of his wife, a peculiar sex cult, and an unusual business arrangement. Critics were mixed and audiences didn't turn out. So what's next for this daring duo? 

Bugonia, a remake of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! On its surface, it seems the kind of class conflict scenario that would play well to Stone and Lanthimos' shared cinematic interest. However, while screenwriter Will Tracy (The Menu, The Regime) makes some stark changes from Jang's script, the resulting film feels strangely safe, even as it's drenched in buzzwords and taboos. 

Bugonia explores the manosphere, conspiracy theories, and class conflict.  Credit: Atsushi Nishijima / Focus Features

Jesse Plemons, who co-starred with Stone in Kinds of Kindness, stars as a beekeeper and conspiracy theorist named Teddy who's on a self-assigned mission to save his mother and the planet Earth. Living in a rotting family home that he shares with his impressionable cousin, Don (Aidan Delbis), Teddy is convinced that everything from the declining bee populations to his mother's comatose state are signs that extraterrestrial invaders are already here, plotting to destroy mankind. 

Having identified pharmaceuticals CEO Michelle Fuller (Stone) as one of these aliens, Teddy convinces Don to assist him in a kidnapping plot that he hopes will put them in contact with the leader of the invaders for negotiation. 

Credit: Atsushi Nishijima / Focus Features

In Save the Green Planet!, the kidnapped CEO was a man. The gender swap of the abductee puts Teddy not only in the conspiracy theory discourse but also in the American manosphere, where empowered women are often seen as a societal ill. Thus, Michelle could be seen as a threat to Teddy's masculinity and identity, even if she's not the nefarious alien he believes her to be. 

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

Afflicted with nightmares about his ailing mother (Alicia Silverstone), Teddy resents Michelle for her power, wealth, and the breezy calm she exudes even when discussing horrific news. His ability to use chloroform to knock her out and brute force to steal her from her home, shave her head (so her hair can't call for help to the mothership), and dress her in his mother's clothes are all victories for his mission. Not only has he succeeded in ousting this alien threat from her safe space, but he is also reclaiming the power he lost in failing to save his mother, recaptured by torturing the woman he blames for his mother's current predicament. 

But hey, you don't cast two-time Academy Award winner Emma Stone (La La Land) to play a damsel in distress.

Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone square off in Bugonia.  Credit: Atsushi Nishijima / Focus Features

Far from being cowed by Teddy and Don's ambush or the many monologues about aliens and righteousness she's forced to listen to while in captivity, Michelle is cool and collected. She exudes calm and frustration, but not fear as she explains as if talking to a child that she is not an alien. 

The battle of wills that follows is the core of Bugonia. Plemons, a profoundly skilled actor who can play sweethearts and scumbags with aplomb, plunges into Teddy with an ego-free abandon. Where Michelle is introduced as impeccably dressed in tailored business attire, clean girl makeup, and carefully coiffed hair, Teddy's mane is untamed, including a scruffy beard. And when Teddy wears a suit — to attempt to impress upon her his seriousness and status — it's battered and ill-fitting. Visually, he is a downtrodden buffoon. So, when he monologues, his appearance suggests he can't be taken seriously as he pontificates about the dangers of these high-and-mighty aliens, who don't care about the people of Earth because their power can always allow them to move on to another planet. 

As Michelle, Stone plays patience for self-preservation, a deeply relatable survival tactic. But as Teddy becomes more threatening, Stone morphs into various manipulations, ranging from cajoling to threatening. 

As in Kinds of Kindness, it's exciting to see these two scorching performers face off in a battle of wits, words, and wills. But frankly, it gets old. It likely didn't help my experience watching Bugonia that I'd seen Save the Green Planet!, so I had a strong idea of where the final act would go. Tracy and Lanthimos weave in bloody, wild new turns to the conclusion, but it doesn't make it fun or more profound. Instead, despite the star power, the dark sense of humor, the political commentary, and cat-and-mouse psychology between captive and captor, Bugonia becomes bogged down by sadness, or even hopelessness. 

Bugonia is a bummer. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima / Focus Features

The production design, presenting the contrast of rot and gloss, swiftly sets up the conflict between Teddy and Michelle. The color palette and its suffocating yellow cast suggest festering, potentially of Teddy's sanity or the world, and soon consumes even Michelle's once flawless appearance. But the buildup to the final act lacks momentum.

The scenes between Stone and Plemons don't so much build as they feel cyclical, until the wheels fall off, causing calamity. Maybe that's the point. Perhaps Bugonia is warning of the tedious runaround we as humans do day in and day out, arguing over who's right and who's wicked, the world and its people suffering all the while. Sure, the trailers for Bugonia set up the expectation for a thriller, focusing on the capture and the manhunt sure to follow for a "high-profile female executive." But mostly the movie is about who you're more comfortable believing. And within that, the political messaging gets muddy. 

You might revisit The Favourite for the wickedly sharp barbs or the crazy chemistry between Colman, Stone, and Rachel Weisz. A Poor Things rewatch is an enthralling plunge into the compelling collision of beauty and ugliness, love and loss, luxury and poverty. Kinds of Kindness might still feel like an enigma we have not cracked. But Bugonia, despite having a sensational cast and clear vision for its world, lacks profundity in its smorgasbord of hot topics. Environmentalism, oligarchy, the manosphere, healthcare for profit — all of these make for a dizzying brew from which Teddy and Michelle arise on opposing sides. But what their battle ultimately means feels oddly remote after all the blood, sweat, tears, and chloroform. I was left feeling neither amused, elated, confounded or enraged, but just uncomfortably numb.

Bugonia opens in select theaters on Oct. 24 before going nationwide Oct. 31.

Richard Linklater is having a very busy 2025.

The Boyhood and Before Sunrise director has not one but two projects on the film festival circuit. Both are playing the New York Film Festival, and both pay tribute to real-life artists of song and screen.

Blue Moon, the first of the pair to hit theaters, is a biopic of American lyricist Lorenz Hart, the former creative partner of Richard Rodgers. Linklater's second film of the year, Nouvelle Vague, follows suit, paying loving tribute to the French New Wave movement and to Jean-Luc Godard's debut feature, Breathless (À bout de souffle).

Linklater's reverence for Breathless and the entire French New Wave are evident in each frame. But can that love sometimes get in Nouvelle Vague's own way?

What is Nouvelle Vague about? Guillaume Marbeck and Aubry Dullin in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez / Courtesy of Netflix

The year is 1959, the place is Paris, and the French New Wave movement is in full swing. Cahiers du Cinéma film critics like François Truffaut (Adrien Rouyard) and Claude Chabrol (Antoine Besson) have made their directorial debuts, focusing on auteur-driven movies above all else. One of their fellow critics, Jean-Luc Godard (Guillaume Marbeck), is champing at the bit to make his first feature film. After all, in his own words, the only way to critique a movie is to make one yourself.

Godard finally gets the chance with Breathless, the story of criminal Michel Poiccard and Patricia, the American woman he loves. While the film became one of the French New Wave's most influential works, its production was fairly chaotic. Working on a low budget, and filming over just 23 days (Nouvelle Vague cuts that number to 20), Godard basically improvised the film as he went, much to the consternation of producer Georges de Beauregard (Bruno Dreyfürst) and American star Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch). Linklater reimagines that chaos in its entirety, charting the film's journey from development to post-production.

Nouvelle Vague formally pays tribute to the French New Wave, but isn't an outright copy. Matthieu Penchinat, Guillaume Marbeck, Aubry Dullin, and Zoey Deutch in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

In order to submerge audiences in the world of the French New Wave, Linklater adopts some elements of its style. Told almost entirely in French, Nouvelle Vague is shot in black and white with a 4:3 ratio, complete with film grain to give it an older feel.

However, Linklater doesn't totally ape the filmmaking techniques Godard pioneered during the making of Breathless, such as jump cuts. Instead, he focuses more on clueing the audience into how Godard came to these techniques. For the guerilla-style shooting on the streets of Paris, Linklater introduces the false mail cart that hid Breathless' handheld camera, along with cinematographer Raoul Coutard (Matthieu Penchinat). For Breathless' long walk-and-talk sequences, Linklater dutifully follows stars Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin) as they stroll the Champs-Élysées. His prime focus here isn't Godard's filming, but rather his plan to dub over whatever Seberg and Belmondo are saying in post. Instead of speaking in character, the two actors wonder aloud just what the rest of the shoot has in store for them.

SEE ALSO: 'Blue Moon' review: Andrew Scott burns, Ethan Hawke clowns in grating biopic

The focus on process propels Nouvelle Vague, offering up a loving look at the ups and downs of the film's production. But the film's true strengths lie not in Linklater's take on Godard's style, but rather in Linklater's own strength as the master of the hangout movie. Yes, watching Godard choreograph a scene in real time is compelling. But if you've seen Breathless, you've already seen these scenes. You know how they play out!

Instead, what's more compelling is the downtime between filming: the crew hanging out in a café, Seberg teaching Belmondo American dance moves, Godard playing pinball. These scenes allow us to understand the characters better as people, as opposed to the pillars of the French New Wave they'd become.

Marbeck's Godard is the standout here. Eyes perpetually hidden behind sunglasses and a lit cigarette always at his lips, Marbeck plays Godard as part genius, part petulant child. As a result, Nouvelle Vague seems both reverent of and humored by Godard's many, many, many philosophical tirades on the subject of filmmaking. The mix lets Linklater bring a lightness to Nouvelle Vague's numerous production scenes, while also paying respect to the man who made Breathless possible.

At times, Linklater's reverence can overpower Nouvelle Vague. Aubry Dullin and Zoey Deutch in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez / Courtesy of Netflix

Occasionally, though, the reverence for Breathless can take over Nouvelle Vague, for the worse. Linklater and screenwriters Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo, whose script Michèle Halberstadt and Laetitia Masson adapted into French, dutifully catalog the entire 20-day Breathless shoot. They hit major beats quickly. Here's how Godard filmed Michel's shootout with a policeman! Here's how he got the shot of the Paris streetlamps turning on behind Michel!

Yet after a while, these brief vignettes can begin to seem like Nouvelle Vague going through the motions, as if Linklater has a checklist of every piece of Breathless behind-the-scenes trivia he needs to account for. At these points, Nouvelle Vague loses the improvisational sense of play that its own muse strove so hard for while shooting Breathless.

Overall, though, Nouvelle Vague proves a sweet tribute to an influential film movement, one that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're a French New Wave fan, come for the Breathless tributes, but stay for the hangout vibes.

Nouvelle Vague was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. Nouvelle Vague hits select theaters Oct. 31 before coming to Netflix Nov. 14.

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 Friday, Oct. 31, 2025:

AcrossBuffalo hockey player

• The answer is Sabre.

"I'll have the ___" (frequent customer's order)

• The answer is Usual.

Contents of a volcano

• The answer is Magma.

Adjust to a new environment

• The answer is Adapt.

With 10-Across, last car on a train

• The answer is CA.

See 9-Across

• The answer is SE.

Down"Poison" shrub

• The answer is Sumac.

Carne ___

• The answer is Asada.

Imaginary cause of fear

• The answer is Buga.

Accessible alternatives to staircases

• The answer is Ramps.

Make extremely happy

• The answer is Elate.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Baseball locations

• Green: Same grouping

• Blue: Related to one player

• Purple: Same first word

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: Places in the ballpark

• Green: Big East Teams

• Blue: Associated with Babe Ruth

• Purple: Angel ____

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 #403 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Places in the ballpark - BULLPEN, DUGOUT, MOUND, PLATE

• Big East Teams - BLUEJAYS, HOYAS, MUSKETEERS, RED STORM

• Associated with Babe Ruth - 3, CURSE, RED SOX, YANKEES

• Angel ___ - CITY, MCCOUGHTRY, REESE, STADIUM

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.