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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 20, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 12:07

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you're a Chicago sports fan.

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: Windy City teams

  • Green: Weight classes

  • Blue: AAC

  • Purple: Types of rooms

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: Chicago Teams

  • Green: With "Weight," Combat Sports Divisions

  • Blue: American Conference Teams

  • Purple: ___Room

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 #392 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Chicago Teams - BEARS, BULLS, CUBS, SKY

  • With "Weight," Combat Sports Divisions- BANTAM, FEATHER, FLY, HEAVY

  • American Conference Teams - BLAZERS, CHANTICLEERS, GREEN WAVE, PIRATES

  • ___Room - DRESSING, FILM, GREEN, LOCKER

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 20, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 12:07

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're currently in an ethereal state of mind.

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 17, 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:

A state of purgatory.

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 L.

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...

LIMBO

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 17, 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 the latest Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 20, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 12:07

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you know some chemistry.

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 17, 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: Affected by something

  • Green: In the stars

  • Blue: Chemistry symbols

  • Purple: Types of corn, spiritual or edible

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: Affliction

  • Green: Represented by Constellations

  • Blue: Periodic Table Symbols

  • Purple: ___Corn

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 #862 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Affliction: BUGBEAR, COMPLEX, DEMON, HANG-UP

  • Represented by Constellations: BIG BEAR, CENTAUR, HUNTER, LYRE

  • Periodic Table Symbols: AS, BE, I, K

  • ___Corn: A, CAPRI, POP, UNI

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 17, 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 the latest Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Alexa users have had a hell of a morning with their alarms

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 12:04

If you missed the news of a major Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage this morning, Alexa's apparently indestructible alarm might have given you a clue.

On Monday, according to Downdetector, a worldwide internet issue connected to AWS affected a huge amount of internet platforms after 3 a.m. ET including Amazon's online storefront, streaming platform Prime Video, Ring doorbells, and the company's virtual assistant Alexa. And it's the latter that has users reporting various issues with not only setting, but particularly switching off alarms within the app.

(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable).

There's an AWS outage this morning impacting lots of services; it started around 07.30 UK time. People who use services like Alexa as their alarm clocks have just had a helpful reminder that using a device reliant on connectivity to carry out a task that doesn't need connectivity is not a good idea.

— Duncan Hothersall (@dhothersall.bsky.social) 20 October 2025 at 09:15 SEE ALSO: AWS outage update: Amazon, Alexa, Snapchat, Reddit, more hit by massive outage

Some users online reported being unable to set alarms through the Alexa app (if they hadn't set up a routine already).

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Other users were sadly awoken by their Alexa alarms as usual, with no excuse to not show up to work today.

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But the majority of users online reported being unable to turn their Alexa alarms off for long periods.

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So, if you spent the morning screaming at your Alexa to turn off the damn alarm, just know you're not alone in experiencing a horrendous start to a Monday. Might be time to go back to the ol' wind-up alarm clock? As for other services impacted by the AWS outage, other people have strong feelings about it all.

For what it's worth, Amazon posted in a company dashboard at 6:35 a.m. ET, "The underlying DNS issue has been fully mitigated, and most AWS Service operations are succeeding normally now."

Mashable reached out to Amazon for further comment and was directed to the AWS Health Dashboard.

Featured Video For You The tech startup on a mission to decarbonise concrete
Categories: IT General, Technology

These Are My Favorite Portable Linux Apps to Keep on a Flash Drive

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 12:00

Ever wish you didn't have to go through the process of installing applications you need to use on every Linux desktop you access? I do too, and that's why I started carrying AppImages around in a USB drive. Here are some of my favorites.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Reddit request rate limited: Why youre seeing this message

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 11:42

As the internet reels from a massive outage Monday morning, thousands of Reddit users are continuing to report problems with the platform.

Over the last four hours, there has been a massive Google Trends spike as people look up a message they are receiving while using Reddit that informs them their request rate has been limited.

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

Reddit's own status page confirms they are investigating an "elevated level of errors" as of 6:24 a.m. ET.

The issues follow directly on the heels of a massive internet outage seemingly linked to an Amazon Web Services outage. In the wake of the outage, users reported issues with dozens of sites across the internet, according to Downdetector.

(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable.)

Reddit was impacted by issues around the same time, reporting degraded performance as it deals with issues in "Reddit infrastructure."

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box is near market value at Amazon vs. TCGplayer

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 11:37

SAVE $6.57: As of Oct. 20, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box is $92.48 at Amazon, down from $99.99 and near market value on TCGPlayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box $92.48 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $7.51   Get Deal

Looking for your Mega Evolution fix? People are already refreshing their screens for Phantasmal Flames preorders, but I've been keeping my eye on one of the best Pokémon TCG era starts in recent memory. Mega Lucario, Mega Venusaur, Mega Gardevoir, and more are here with standard ex and Secret Art Rares in this absolute banger of a base set. That's why the Gardevoir Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box lowering to $92.48 at Amazon is such a big deal. That's near market value on TCGPlayer (over by $1, but prime shipping is worth the extra in my opinion).

If you were around for the X and Y era of Pokémon TCG, Mega Evolution was frankly ridiculous. Every EX card from the time was a basic Pokémon, so no need for evolution, just Mega Evolution and Spirit Link cards to help you play them sooner. People's decks were ridiculous, with many forgetting about Common and Uncommon cards.

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

Mega Evolution is far more balanced this time around, with the usual evolution mechanics being in place, bar the exception of Pokémon like Absol who would have a basic ex card as it doesn't evolve by normal means.

This ETB has all the usual gubbins, with the Promo Illustration Rare Alakazam in the Gardevoir variant alongside themed card sleeves, dice, card dividers, eight booster packs, and a tidy box to store your bulk cards in.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Mega Evolution is off to a strong start, which means prices are still high, but have calmed down somewhat since launch. Here's the top five right now, which you could just click on and buy if you didn't fancy spending a fortune on sealed product for a gold Hyper Rare Lucario ex:

  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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Walmart has dropped the Apple Watch SE to under $170 for a limited time

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 11:22

SAVE $80: As of Oct. 20, the Apple Watch SE is on sale for $169 at Walmart. That's $80 off its list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $169 at Walmart
$249 Save $80   Get Deal

Even before Black Friday deals start dropping, there are already some discounts on Apple products worth checking out as we get closer to November. If you've been eyeing up one of the brand's smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE has received a nice discount at Walmart right now.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) with a starlight aluminum case and lake green sport loop has dropped to $169 at Walmart. This is $80 off its list price of $249. The model with a midnight aluminum case and an ink sport loop is also on sale at the retailer for a few cents more at $169.99, if you'd prefer that option instead.

SEE ALSO: Mashable readers know best — here's what our readers bought during October Prime Day

If you're not looking for all of the fancy features that come with Apple's higher end smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE 2 covers the basics, with health and fitness features to keep you updated on your day-to-day activities. On the fitness side, these include an activity tracker, insights into workout performance, and for swimmers, 50 meter water resistance. And on the health side, this smartwatch boasts heart rate and sleep tracking alongside safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS.

No better time than now to score the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) with a starlight aluminum case and lake green sport loop for $169 at Walmart.

As mentioned before, this isn't the only Apple deal to cross our radar recently. At the moment you can also score a great deal on a four-pack of AirTags at Amazon and the AirPods Pro 2 are back down to their $169.99 Prime Day price there as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Amazon Fire TV 4 Series is down to its lowest-ever price — save $140 right now

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:44

SAVE $140: As of Oct. 20, the Amazon Fire TV 4 Series 50-inch is on sale for $259.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 4 Series 50-inch $259.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $140   Get Deal

It's the season for movies, nights in, and discounts on great TVs. No one wants to go into the fall season with an old, outdated TV, so Amazon's Daily Deals is overflowing with TV discounts you'll love, like this latest on the Amazon Fire TV 4 Series 50-inch. As of Oct. 20, this TV is down to $259.99, saving you $140. This price is for the 50-inch model only.

If you've ever used the Fire OS before, you'll know what a great interface it is. It's easy to use, looks good, and saves you time searching through all your TV shows and movies. And this TV benefits from that and so much more. This TV, as you'd expect, has Alexa built-in. Just press the Alexa button on the remote and use it to control your TV with your voice.

SEE ALSO: This stunning Samsung Class QLED Q8F TV has hit its lowest-ever price — save $300 at Amazon

The picture quality won't disappoint either, with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, meaning everything you watch or play will be super crisp and clear. And of course, you'll have full access to any streaming service you subscribe to including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

Get this TV deal for its best-ever price at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon internet outage reactions hit full meltdown

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:40

A worldwide issue related to Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday caused a huge amount of internet platforms to stop working — with strong reactions from people online.

As Mashable's Eric Miller reports, citing Downdetector, internet services including Amazon's storefront, Prime, Alexa, Ring, AT&T, Venmo, Robinhood, Canvas, Slack, and Lyft went down shortly after 3 a.m. ET.

(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable.)

SEE ALSO: AWS outage: Amazon, Alexa, Snapchat, Fortnite, more reportedly down in massive outage

Social media and messaging platforms Snapchat, Reddit, and Signal, gaming platforms including Roblox, Fortnite, and Steam, and major streaming services including Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu were also affected. Mashable has a full list of the platforms and services impacted by the outage.

Spikes on Downdetector's homepage showing AWS-powered platforms. Credit: Mashable screenshot: Downdetector

In an update posted on a company dashboard at 5:01 a.m. ET Monday, AWS stated it had "identified a potential root cause for error rates for the DynamoDB APIs in the US-EAST-1 Region," which was "related to DNS resolution." After working to resolve the issue, AWS reported at 5:27 a.m. ET, "We are seeing significant signs of recovery. Most requests should now be succeeding."

Then, at 6:35 a.m. ET, AWS posted, "The underlying DNS issue has been fully mitigated, and most AWS Service operations are succeeding normally now." However, it added that "some requests may be throttled while we work toward full resolution."

Mashable reached out to Amazon for further comment and was directed to the AWS Health Dashboard.

Companies and brands affected including Epic Games' Fortnite and British bank Lloyds posted on X they were investigating the impact of the outage.

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Individual company leaders, including Signal president Meredith Whittaker, also acknowledged the outage on social media.

PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.

— Meredith Whittaker (@meredithmeredith.bsky.social) 20 October 2025 at 09:00

Instantly, users flocked to still functioning social media sites including X and Bluesky to lament their lack of access, vent about their malfunctioning Alexa alarms, or drop the requisite run-into-the-sunset post that always comes with an internet outage.

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aws outage i guess that means its time for me to go to sleep

— hailey (@hailey.at) 20 October 2025 at 09:25

There's an AWS outage this morning impacting lots of services; it started around 07.30 UK time. People who use services like Alexa as their alarm clocks have just had a helpful reminder that using a device reliant on connectivity to carry out a task that doesn't need connectivity is not a good idea.

— Duncan Hothersall (@dhothersall.bsky.social) 20 October 2025 at 09:15

This story is developing...

Featured Video For You The tech startup on a mission to decarbonise concrete

UPDATE: Oct. 20, 2025, 10:47 a.m. UTC Added additional AWS dashboard update.

UPDATE: Oct. 20, 2025, 12:00 p.m. UTC Added additional AWS update.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite Beats earbuds are back on sale — heres why over $50 off is a steal

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:36

SAVE $50.95: As of Oct. 20, the Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $149 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $149 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50.95   Get Deal

When you're on the hunt for a new pair of earbuds, the vast amount of choice can be overwhelming. Do you want noise cancellation, earbuds to help you sleep, or a pair that are designed to last for high intensity sports? Whatever you're looking for, there'll be hundreds of products to choose from. But if you're looking for a pair that does a bit of everything, and does everything well, don't skip the Beats Fit Pro.

I've been using these earbuds for over two years, and if they ever break, I'll be replacing them with the same model immediately. They're reliable, produce great sound, and can last without needing a charge for weeks. But the reliability is the biggest pro for me. Through the years I've gotten through many, many pairs of earbuds. Whether it's water damage from rain, the sound crackling, or the left earbud that always stops working, they've never lasted more than a year. These earbuds are different.

SEE ALSO: Pixel Buds 2a review: Google's new mid-range earbuds are a little too... mid?

They've withstood long days of travel, marathons, rain, and so much more. And still work as good as they did on day one. And if you're an Apple user, these integrate with your iPhone in the same way AirPods do, so it's incredibly easy to look at settings, adjust noise cancellation, and check the battery.

And as of Oct. 20, they're on sale at Amazon. The new price of $149 will save you $50.95, and in my opinion, they're worth it. Get these earbuds from Amazon while they're still on sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for October 20, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:34

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 Monday, Oct. 20, 2025:

AcrossSound from a mouse
  • The answer is Click.

Many-headed serpent killed by Hercules
  • The answer is Hydra.

View from a cruise ship window
  • The answer is Ocean.

"See ya later!"
  • The answer is Peace.

Animal whose antlers can grow up to an inch per day
  • The answer is Elk.

DownDice, e.g.
  • The answer is Chop.

French for "high school"
  • The answer is Lycee.

10 out of 10
  • The answer is Ideal.

Sound from a bat
  • The answer is Crack.

"Citizen ___"
  • The answer is Kane.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $70 on the Anker Solix C300X portable power station at Best Buy

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:29

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 20, the Anker Solix C300X portable power station is on sale for $199.99 as part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day. This is $70 off its list price of $269.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker SOLIX C300X Portable Power Station $199.99 at Best Buy
$269.99 Save $70   Get Deal

The weather may be a little bit colder, but fall is still a great time to be outdoors. If you're itching to be sat around a bonfire on a camping trip during this time, a portable power station is worth having with you to keep your devices charged up. While some can be quite pricy, Best Buy is offering a great discount at the moment on the Anker Solix C300X portable power station.

As of Oct. 20, the Anker Solix C300X portable power station is on sale at Best Buy for $199.99. This is $70 off its usual price of $269.99, but there's a catch. This offer is part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day program which, as its name implies, means the deal only lasts through the rest of today. So you'll have to act fast to grab it at this discounted price.

SEE ALSO: Mashable readers know best — here's what our readers bought during October Prime Day

Alongside a portable size and adjustable strap to make carrying it around nice and easy, the Anker Solix C300X features 288Wh and a 300W output that can charge up to seven devices at one time. It even boasts a quick recharge of 90 minutes via USB-C or three hours if you use solar. Whether you want to take it with on a camping trip or keep it around your home as backup power, this compact power station packs a punch.

This deal only lasts today, so don't miss out on the Anker Solix C300X portable power station on sale at Best Buy.

If you're curious what other power stations are worth picking up, check out our breakdown of the best portable power stations to see our top picks that we believe are worth your time and money right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple AirTags Prime Day deal is still live — get a 4-pack for under $65

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:26

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 20, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon. That's a 34% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-Pack $64.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.01   Get Deal

It's hard to believe that almost two weeks later, there's still the odd Prime Day deal hanging around. But we're definitely not complaining about it, and if you need to add more AirTags to your collection, then you won't be complaining either.

As of Oct. 20, the Apple AirTag four-pack is still at its Prime Day price of $64.99, saving you $34.01 on list price. They've only ever been slightly cheaper than this, reaching $64.49 in March 2025. So, for 50 cents above its lowest-ever price, you really can't go wrong.

SEE ALSO: Add a pop of color and productivity to your life with this yellow 11-inch Apple iPad deal

If you've not come across AirTags before, your life is about to change for the better. AirTags are Apple tracking devices for your most beloved items. They can be stuck on, placed inside, or added to a keyring on anything you lose regularly (common culprits are keys, phones, and passports). Once attached, you can then track said device with the Find My app. If your item is showing nearby but you can't see it, the tags all have a small speaker built-in so you can play a sound to try and locate it.

They're rated IP67 for both water and dust resistance, so for really bad accidents you can still track it, and if you lose something really far away (i.e. luggage that doesn't make it on your plane), it will still remain visible in your app. This is because millions of Apple devices are in the Find My network, helping it remain trackable.

Pick up this AirTag deal before it goes back up in price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade your smart home with $50 off the Echo Show 8

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:26

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 20, the Echo Show 8 is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 8 $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Smart home hubs are an everyday essential at this point. Everything from your vacuum to your lightbulbs can now be controlled by tech, and there's no going back.

If you're a fan of Amazon's smart home devices, you need to check out this deal on the Echo Show 8, your new smart home hub.

SEE ALSO: Amazon’s Ring is expanding police access to doorbell footage

As of Oct. 20, this device is reduced by $50, bringing the price down to under $100 for a limited time. This price is for both colors, white and charcoal. If you're wondering what the Echo Show 8 does, the answer is so much. It's a touch-screen-controlled device that can act as a hub for all your other devices. It also comes into its own as a device perfect for video calls, reading new recipes, or even streaming your favorite Netflix show.

And when not in use, Amazon Photos can transform it into a digital photo frame and will display a carousel of your favorite pictures. Friends and family can even connect too, adding their own pictures for you to see.

This Echo deal has a limited-time stamp, so get it before it runs out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You’ll be glad you waited — 1 year of Sam’s Club access is only $15

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:15

TL;DR: New members can join Sam’s Club for just $15 (reg. $50) and enjoy a year of savings, member perks, and premium access.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club Sam's Club Membership (1-Year with Auto-Renew) $15
$50 Save $35   Get Deal

The holidays are around the corner, and with them come all the accompanying deals. You can currently grab a one-year Sam’s Club membership for only $15 (reg. $50), just in time for pre-holiday parties, gift-getting, and all the fun and flavor that comes with this magical season.

Whether you’re stocking up on snacks for the kids or loading the trunk for big gathering, this is the moment to make your dollar go further.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box crashes to market value at Amazon

This is a spending season. Between all the home, school, and work happenings, plus your regular grocery runs, the costs stack up. But with Sam’s Club, you can buy smarter. Load up on bulk snacks (for the kids who snack through their days off), beverages, cooking essentials, and new decor — all at member-only pricing.

And with the irregularity of gas prices? Sam’s Club fuel discounts can come in clutch. Members enjoy savings at the pump, making any road trip a bit easier on your budget.

Members can expect more than just a place to buy massive packs of granola bars and toilet paper (though those don’t hurt). You’ll unlock exclusive deals on travel, access to prescriptions, and the convenience of Sam’s Club Tire & Battery Center for automotive essentials. Planning a last-minute vacation? Your membership might even save you money on rental cars and hotels.

Plus, the Sam’s Club Scan & Go™ feature lets you skip the checkout line entirely. Scan items with your phone as you shop and breeze right out—perfect for anyone who wants convenience with their cost-cutting.

This is an opportune time to get a one-year membership to Sam’s Club with auto-renewal for just $15 (reg. $50) when you order through Oct. 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jennifer Lawrence tells a strange story about feeding Robert Pattinson from her trash

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:14

The story above from The Graham Norton Show may only be 90 seconds long, but we certainly learn a lot from it.

The lessons include, 1) If you visit Jenner Lawrence's house, you may be fed food from the trash, 2) That Robert Pattinson does not mind eating food from the trash, and 3) Jennifer Lawrence is capable of a pretty great Robert Pattinson impression.

We're guessing the food she talks about giving Pattinson – which he has while crashing one of her girls' nights after wrapping a film nearby – was still in containers and not just scraped into the garbage can, but still — it's certainly a vivid image.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple still has not yet officially announced these expected new products

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:00

Apple surprised its fans with several new product announcements this past Wednesday: a new 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, all powered by the company's new, most powerful Silicon chipset, the M5.

If you've been following Mashable's coverage, you know that these products were expected to be released in the coming weeks, even if the exact release date this morning wasn't. 

However, now that the M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro are here, new Apple products are expected to drop very soon and have yet to be announced. Here's what's still coming soon from Apple:

AirTags 2

Perhaps the most surprising product missing from Apple's latest release lineup is the AirTags 2. These were expected to be included with October's new product drop, yet they were MIA today.

The AirTags 2 isn't expected to be a huge update. However, analysts believe that it will include major upgrades to Apple's tracking device, such as a new wireless chip, a longer tracking range, and improved privacy. Design-wise, the AirTags 2 will likely look much like its predecessor.

Apple can still roll the AirTags 2 out before the end of the year, just in time for the holidays.

New Apple TV 4K

A major clue that often tips whether Apple is about to launch a new product is low Apple Store inventory of the product's predecessor. Mashable covered how the iPad Pro M4 and the base 14-inch MacBook Pro were reportedly running low just last week. Fast-forward eight days, and Apple has announced the new M5 versions of those products.

Just one day before Apple unveiled the new M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman shared that Apple Stores were seeing "very low inventory across the country."

Some Apple fans thought this could mean a new Apple TV 4K was on the way, rumored to be powered by the A17 Pro chip and with AI integrations. Unfortunately, the new Apple TV 4K was not part of those announcements. However, nothing has changed regarding an upgraded version of Apple's set-top box being on the way so expect the new device to still drop soon.

HomePods

According to Gurman, Apple Store inventory was also reportedly low for Apple's HomePod Mini. However, HomePod Mini was also not included in Apple's most recent announcements.

However, the HomePod Mini 2 and a new HomePod, which is meant to be Apple's answer to the Google Nest Hub, are also expected in the near future.

iPad and iPad Air

Apple did announce the all-new iPad Pro, but the rest of Apple's tablet lineup is still scheduled for an upgrade, too. 

The iPad Air will likely be upgraded from the M3 chip to the M4, in order to set the iPad Pro apart from the most powerful iPad with its M5 chipset. A new base model iPad will also receive a more powerful chip, expected to be an upgrade from the A16 chip, which last powered the iPhone 15.

iPad fans will likely have to wait until March or April of next year, but that's just around the corner.

MacBook Air and 16-inch MacBook Pro

Along with the iPad Pro, the 14-inch MacBook Pro also received its M5 upgrade last week.

But there's still a 16-inch MacBook Pro and the entire MacBook Air lineup in need of an upgrade, too.

The first half of 2026 will likely see all remaining MacBook models receive the M5 upgrade. And, while not coming for another year or two at the least, there are strong reports that Apple is finally working on a touchscreen MacBook Pro

iPhone 17e

Apple announced the entire iPhone 17 lineup last month, and it is currently available in stores — well, almost the entire iPhone 17 lineup.

We are still waiting on Apple's latest budget model smartphone, which would likely be called the iPhone 17e. The current model is still the iPhone 16e, which has the A18 chipset.

Expect the iPhone 17e, when it does come out, to line up with the base model iPhone 17's A19 chip.

AirPods Max

Like the iPhone 17e, the AirPods Max seems to be the forgotten child in its respective lineup. Apple has refreshed the AirPods but not the AirPods Max in quite a while. The last AirPods Max release was more than a year ago, and it simply added a USB-C version to the lineup.

However, analysts expect a new version of the AirPods Max to be released in 2027. It's unclear exactly what will be different with the AidPods Max 2, other than Apple reportedly working on a lighter version of the product.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying monthly — host your website for 3 years for just $100

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:00

TL;DR: Build and host unlimited websites easily with the IONOS Web Hosting Plus Plan, now just $99.99 for three years (reg. $288).

Opens in a new window Credit: IONOS IONOS Web Hosting Plus Plan: 3-Year Subscription $99.99
$288 Save $188.01   Get Deal

Building and maintaining a website can feel intimidating. But with the IONOS Web Hosting Plus Plan, it’s finally easy.

Whether you’re launching a small business, running a portfolio site, or hosting multiple client projects, this plan gives you everything you need to stay online, stay fast, and stay protected — all for just $99.99 for three full years (reg. $288).

SEE ALSO: Let Sellful be your website builder, CRM, and more for a one-time fee

IONOS is one of Europe’s leading hosting providers and is now powering U.S. businesses with the same global-grade infrastructure and reliability.

We’re talking about 99.99 percent uptime, lightning-fast load speeds, unlimited websites, and redundant storage to ensure your content is safe and accessible no matter what.

You’ll also get a free domain, daily backups, malware protection, and 24/7 customer support from real humans — because no one wants to submit a ticket and wait three business days. Bonus: You can install WordPress or your favorite CMS in just seconds.

If you’re a freelancer, blogger, entrepreneur, or small business owner, this offer makes it easy to look professional without paying enterprise prices.

It’s a smart investment for anyone ready to take their online presence seriously — without making web hosting their new full-time job.

Get three years of IONOS Web Hosting Plus for just $99.99 (reg. $288).

StackSocial prices subject to change

Categories: IT General, Technology

How every zodiac sign can best use AI to support their goals

Mashable - Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:00

AI is everywhere, but not every tool is a fit for every person. Some of us geek out on prompts and productivity hacks; others would happily join a VR pagan moon circle with AI-generated crystals. Astrology, the original personality framework, is its own form of intelligence.

I know this because I live it every day. As a business owner, tech enthusiast, and accidental astrologer, what my twin sister and I have learned from building our platform Astrostyle to millions of monthly readers is that discerning people all over the world are quietly grappling with the labyrinth of choices they face every hour, in every part of their lives.

The average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day. AI might reduce the stress of that, but it can’t make those decisions for us. So what part of ourselves does the deciding when logic and information don’t come through?

Mainstream astrology—more specifically, horoscopes—can be polarizing AF. But then, so can technology. Together, AI and astrology can reduce the struggle of living in a complex world. In an era of algorithms, our humanity is the “dark matter” that defies law and order. Astrology can help us understand phenomena that can’t be explained by left-brained logic.

With that, here are my suggestions for how each zodiac sign can tap into astrological AND artificial intelligence.

Aries

As the zodiac’s first sign, you’re here to blaze trails. (Can you say “early adopter?”) You need speedy results to keep your competitive edge. Waiting? That’s for Libras. When you feel the other eleven signs nipping at your heels, AI solutions are a no-brainer. 

Here’s the friction point, though: You can’t delegate or automate everything, because you also like control. So how do you handle those mind-numbing administrative steps (aka, life) and still preserve your number-one spot on humanity’s leaderboard? 

One word: Gamify. A mix of AI and non-AI tech tools can help.

The rising trends of life gamification and habit gamification were made for you, Aries. Habitica is a free habit-tracking app that turns your life into a game, using rewards, challenges and community support to help you build better habits and stay motivated. It combines pixel art and productivity, according to their website, and boasts “over 4 million people having fun while accomplishing their goals” through cute characters. If you’re looking to build a habit loop, AI can help you create it and stick to it.

Need more customization? Notion also offers many habit-gamifying templates if you’re willing to do the setup (or hire someone to help). The spirit of fun can be a mighty motivator, especially for your playful sign. Before you know it, you’ll be doing a TEDx talk; something like “How I Gamified My Life and Beat Procrastination,” hitting 20 million YouTube downloads and bossing around a team of coders as they make your new motivational app. What are you waiting for, Aries?

Taurus

An analog sign by nature, Taurus rules the five senses, and you deeply enjoy the pleasures of being human. Artificial? No thanks. Ultra-natural is more your thing. You’re a creature of habit, reluctant to change unless it brings you more luxury, stability, and comfort. You don’t need a Midjourney avatar with seven thumbs; you need solutions that simplify daily life.

For that reason, white-glove agentic AI was made for you, Taurus. You already know exactly what you want—which is more of what you already have, but delivered with ease. If life is getting busier, then who’s gonna make your dinner reservations, balance your checking account, and find the wash-and-fold laundromat that uses your exact type of linen starch? Deploy the agents!

It’s not your fault, Taurus. Being hardcoded with concierge tastes in a late-stage capitalist economy is an existential dilemma. Or…it was. You weren’t put here to pay retail, or to output data-center energy levels to organize your music collection and track down the perfect cheesesteak. With an invisible helper, you don’t have to anymore.

Budget and finance-track with Monarch. Sleep deeply on an AI mattress. Control temperature, music, and scent with smart home tech. Navigate the post-NFT AI art market, whether as creator or collector.

And if you’re feeling extra-extra, be the first among your friends to own a Nékojita FuFu, an adorable crowd-funded cat robot that attaches to the edge of any cup or bowl and blows air to cool your food. (Oops, we know what all your friends are getting for Christmas…)

Gemini

Gemini is a multiplayer game in a single human, and as such, you get easily scattered. Keeping track of your hobbies, friends, ideas, and curiosities is a full-time job on its own. And while plenty of those thoughts probably SHOULD stay in draft forever, there are a lot of fleeting moments you want to capture. No, you probably won’t get around to opening that artisan Bento box lunch truck that was also going to offer blowouts and glam squad services around the back (never say never, tho’). But the colorful tale behind the idea? Epic! 

And that’s where the Gemini magic lives: in the art of storytelling. Your amalgam of weird hobbies and skills and life detours might seem unrelated until you connect the dots through an epic LinkedIn post or keynote that gives your audience full-body chills.

Since there’s not enough time to churn out those anecdotes AND make a living, get some help from AI. Make your writing sizzle with MyStoryPro, created by (Gemini) Patrice Poltzer, a former Today Show producer who relocated her husband and three young sons from Brooklyn to Lisbon, documented her existential crisis on social media, then birthed an incredible AI storytelling assistant (nicknamed “Pocket Patrice”) that’s got chef’s-kiss UX, design, and functionality—and actually sounds like your voice.

While you’re at it, Gemini, throw in one of Grammarly’s AI features, the Plagiarism Checker. You consume so much information that you sometimes accidentally repeat someone else’s words, forgetting you didn’t author them yourself. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to IP, especially for you.

Cancer

If there’s a sign most likely to side-eye AI, it’s yours, Cancer. You’re the champion of all things homemade and handmade. Your nostalgic sign is rooted in the past and can be deeply skeptical about the future. While some of that is fear-based, you’re also playing the role of the guardian. You don’t want technology erasing the human touch in the name of “progress.” 

But what if AI could be a form of cultural and historical preservation? Well, it can. 

Digital twins (e.g., exact replicas of unique items) were practically made for you. Let’s say, for example, a climate disaster wipes out a precious object or site. Those once-irreplaceable mementos won’t be lost. Fragments of art, music, and folklore can be reconstructed with AI, keeping at-risk traditions alive.

Got fading letters from your great-great-great grandfather that you want to share in a family tree project? Transkribus preserves historical documents by training models to recognize handwriting, process large numbers of pages, and even create searchable online collections. 

A more controversial use of AI is the grief bot. Essentially, a loved one commissions an AI duplicate of themselves (voice, speech patterns, et al.) before they pass away. Their surviving relatives can continue to interact with their likeness. Black Mirror-ness aside, we imagine that Cancers might comprise a market for something like this as it evolves.

Leo

Storytime: unlocked! You’ve got tales to tell and spotlights to steal, and the competition for attention has never been more fierce. It’s your astrological mandate to stand out from the crowd. And nobody owns the power of narrative quite like you do, Leo.

As it turns out, this lore-spinning talent gives you a real edge when it comes to being memorable. Studies show that people remember stories up to 22 times more than plain data, so the next time some old-school purist barks “just the facts!” let ‘em know that people only retain 5 to 10% of information presented as stats. When wrapped in anecdotes (and Leo rizz), they’ll remember 65 to 70% of what you said.

These carefully-crafted cliffhangers don’t just write themselves, though. That's where our AI recos enter the plot. Bang out that movie-adaptation-worthy memoir or screenplay script with Sudowrite, which boasts a feature called Story Bible that can write a novel from nose to tail in a week. There are additional AI features that craft dialogue or analyze your characters and plot arc, then generate options for the next 300 words.

Don’t stop at words, though! Leos are the ultimate experience junkies. Pair your stories with AI-generated video, animation, and slides, and set to music for the full immersion. Take people on a sensory-overload adventure in colors that would make your fellow Leo Andy Warhol proud. Adobe Firefly is every creator’s go-to AI assistant, generating images, text effects, audio, and video in a range of Adobe apps.

Among its many features, Firefly lets you describe a color palette in Illustrator through prompts, then see your images recast in various hues. Go ahead, serve “Wes Anderson with a side of Miami Vice” or “moody Dutch Masters meets Korean aeni.”

If you’re a serious artist, as many Leos are, check out AIArtists.org to explore the world of generative art and connect with a global community of fellow creatives incorporating AI into their process. We await your creations!

Virgo

Riddle me this: How do you create AI for someone who’s the human version of a tracker? If anyone could outsmart Siri, it’s the real-life large language model that is Virgo. Planning? Project management? Phsssshhhht. Virgo wrote the source code on that.

What kind of bot do you build for the zodiac sign that has everything? Moreover, how do you sell the zodiac’s most all-natural sign on anything artificial? 

Come closer and we’ll tell you. There’s one “Big O” guaranteed to drive these data-driven dilettantes and polymath purists over the edge: optimize. 

Perfectionistic Virgos might already know how to do everything right. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done better. Dangle the optimization carrot and they’ll hop over like bunnies to munch it right out of your hands. (Pet them while you’re at it; they love physical touch.)

For Virgos, everyday objects infused with practical AI is the flex. 

One example? The OralB iO Series, an AI-powered electric toothbrush that cleans with micro-vibrations (sexy!) and guides your brush time. It flashes red when you’re scrubbing too hard at the gum line and green when you nail that perfect pressure.

I kid you not, as I sat at a café researching this toothbrush online, a woman peered over my shoulder and asked if I was a dentist. I am not (surprise!), but it turned out that she was. I gave her a five-second amateur pitch for the OralB and she was genuinely intrigued. “Wow! I’ll have to tell some of my patients about that,” she exclaimed before ordering a pain au chocolat and sugary iced latte. (Gives Virgo side-eye)

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so eager. A smart toothbrush in the hands of a Virgo practically counts as wellness weaponry against both cavity creeps and inflated dental bills that insurance never covers.  Ditch your basic-bitch brush, clean your choppers to pristine purity, and fire your dentist? That makes the OralB iO a steal at just over $350, at least in Virgo math. 

You heard it here first, AI startups: The way to Virgo’s heart is through the brain and body. And they’ll pay top dollar for anything that’s smart enough to solve their problems. Go!

Libra

Aesthetic Libra loves to be surrounded by beauty. Nothing transports you to nirvana more than being draped in finery. While you’ve been known to pay retail for your upscale tastes, you’re also wired for discernment. If you’ve got Balenciaga tastes on a barista budget, AI can help you create a head-turning OOTD without breaking the bank. Financial constraints or not, Libra is the sign of justice.

Enter AI. The adventure might start with you curating what you already have. “Budget-conscious fashion lovers are using AI as a personal stylist to shop their closet,” explains Quynh Mai, founder of creative strategy agency Qulture, which specializes in spotting trends and subcultures online. “Platforms like Stylebook and Cladwell help them track their wardrobe and make outfit recommendations.”

You don’t need to have a couture collection that rivals fellow Libras Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, or Cardi B to benefit from an AI stylist. For Libras who struggle with decision overwhelm, Cladwell is an AI app centered around the capsule wardrobe concept. (Bonus: It doesn’t require you to photograph a single item.) The app even has templates with names like Parisian and Minimalist.

If your closet skews more Clueless’ Cher Horowitz (played by Libra Alicia Silverstone), Stylebook’s 90+ features can catalog your entire wardrobe, generate packing lists, and suggest potential outfit combinations. Sync them to your calendar to plan around your oft-packed social schedule.

Hate the experience of a boutique dressing room? Google’s AI-powered Try-On lets you preview clothes on your actual body type, without the bad lighting and mirror angles. Go forth and serve “human” with your well-cultivated looks. Before long, you could be earning extra cash as a brand influencer and need an even bigger closet.

Scorpio

You’ve got X-ray vision, Scorpio, the ability to pierce any veil and get to the heart of the matter. You understand that data is power. And while nobody’s scanning YOUR iris before you serve them an ironclad privacy agreement (#paranoid), you live to look under the hood of everyone else’s operations. 

So what could be more titillating than a naughty frisson of code, an exclusive look at a business analytics dashboard? It’s practically a peep show for Scorpios.

Strategy is sexy to your power-loving sign. Intelligence is your aphrodisiac. And while you’re capable of crunching large amounts of data without an AI assist, translating them to the plebes—er, your less rapid-fire colleagues—is another story. That’s where technology adds a magic touch. 

Perhaps you let Jules clean up your code. Maybe you use an AI campaign tracker like Supermetrics that shows everyone how hard you crushed a goal. Or BoldBI, a no-code AI copilot that builds visual dashboards from plain-English commands, narrates your charts in simple language, and helps you make strategic decisions through its “smart predictions.” 

As a secretly witchy sign, this is occult work hiding in plain sight. A Scorpio specialty! So your crystal ball happens to be a bar graph predicting the exact moment when profits could take a sharp Q4 decline? You don’t need a cauldron to brew up a save-the-day solution. Cast a spell on your coworkers and abracadabra those insights. Nobody needs to know how you and the AI got it done. Let it be one of your many little Scorpio secrets.  

Sagittarius 

Places to go, people to see, platforms to build! Supersizer Sagittarius has a million ideas and never enough time to do them all. Yet, somehow you do, fueled by good humor and boundless curiosity. You’re so prolific that your AI needs its own AI. 

Writing that last line led my own Sagittarius brain to think, “Hey, that sounds like the start of a standup routine,” which led me to a ChatGPT joke generator. After three prompts, it produced this snippet of AI comedy: “You talk to your chatbot so much, Alexa started sending you breakup texts.”

You see? This is what Sagittarians do. Our warren of rabbit holes is vaster than a mycelium network, interconnected by its own complex pathways. No wonder we’re always in trouble! 

It doesn’t help that Sag is the zodiac’s eternal student and serial entrepreneur, with strong media mogul tendencies. On a whim, you’ll throw together a digital course or an e-commerce platform in an hour. Tinker around with Generative AI website builders like Lovable or an AI-assisted platform like Thinkific where bots can help you shape a curriculum.

When you need to race between physical locations, which is often, look to the AI-adjacent field of robotics. On-the-go Sagittarians are fueled by FOMO; innovations that enhance human capacity could intrigue you. As the zodiac’s ethicist, however, you have your limits. (Hard pass on the surgically-implanted Neuralink brain chips, thanks.)

For now, perhaps a pair of Moonwalkers would be fun? This AI-powered wheeled footwear, which resembles the love child of rollerblades and Tevas sandals, will get you places at 2.5X normal speed. They’re $999, about the price of an entry-level e-bike.

Sounds hefty until you consider Sagittarians’ ability to pack value into every moment. The ROI might quickly pay for itself when you’re doubling the number of coffee meetings you can skate to, leaving with a signed sales contract and an angel investor for your audacious new startup.

Capricorn

We know, we know: Capricorns are forever typecast as goal-chasing workaholics. For the record, we know just as many Caps who love cognac, leather, and a hand-rolled cigar as those who love nothing more than rotting on the couch with a Bud Lite and a bag of edibles.

Wherever you fall on that spectrum, most Capricorns are burdened by a certain weight of responsibility. Performance and productivity apps? Yawn. You’ve already got that covered.

Where your stoic, stiff-upper-lip sign COULD use some support is with your mental and emotional wellbeing. As a sensual earth sign who can be ruthlessly hard on yourself, you might be the sign most in need of a hug—and the least likely to ask for one. Capricorns can be super awkward when it comes to physical contact.

And yet? The benefits of soothing touch can reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, and reduce your heart rate. For the sign that rules longevity, this is key.

Enter the Apollo Wearable. It’s a small, vibrating (haptic) device you can strap onto your wrist or ankle that “sends gentle vibrations to the body that signal safety to the brain.” Created by trauma expert Dr. Dave Rabin, a neuroscientist and board-certified psychiatrist, it supports sleep, focus, and relaxation, and over time can even re-train your nervous system. Soon enough, you’ll feel as calm on the inside as you may appear on the outside.

Aquarius

Aquarius rules group activity. Your team-spirited sign loves to meet up for sports, social action, gaming, festivals… anything, really. The future is your playground, so you may have little to no resistance adopting tech, whether or not you’re a digital native. 

As the sign of innovation, using AI is a no-brainer. But how can it help you prioritize IRL pursuits and reduce extra screen time? Or, if you are fully remote, how can you create a virtual space that feels like an intramural soccer field, outdoor music fest, or your favorite team’s basketball stadium? Use AI to create a hybrid experience that simulates offscreen life.

At work, you might ditch Zoom meetings and commune with your colleagues on the Sims-style coworking platform Teamflow. Design a hyper-personalized virtual office with plants, books, and even transparent PNGs you can bring in from the web. Every team member can have their own piece of turf, curating it with a desk, rug, pets, and objects that express their individuality—a trait Aquarians prize. It even has commands like “Tap Allie on the shoulder” or “Invite Jadyn to you” that simulate what you’d do in an actual office space.

Full disclosure: I’ve used this platform with my team since 2021 and our space has a pool, a garden, a Peloton studio, and a $30,000 espresso machine. (“Meet me by the flamingo floatie” and the pixel-presence of our pets got us through the pandemic.)

Off-duty, your humanitarian sign might be organizing a social activism movement. This guide from Harvard has solid advice for how to use AI to deliver a clear message and bring people together in a positive, cohesive way.

Pisces

Making thousands of decisions a day is daunting enough on its own. But for a highly sensitive, big-feelings sign like Pisces, intuiting your way through the modern-life matrix takes a toll. A simple outfit choice is loaded with considerations, from what others will think, to fabric texture, to what everyone else is wearing, and how socially at ease you’ll feel.

Decisions are extra daunting with your vivid imagination, which readily churns up worst-case scenarios. A mix of AI and apps can help.

When the overwhelm ocean reaches high tide, start with How We Feel, an emotion-tracking app created by scientists and therapists. It helps you spot patterns and improve your ability to emotionally self-regulate over time.

Need facts to balance out your feelings? Pisces rules the subconscious and the creative right brain; visuals really matter. Skip ChatGPT and head to Pi.ai, a personal AI that flanks its prompt window with gorgeous fine art and suggested searches like “Practice a big conversation” and “What you should watch next.” 

When I asked Pi if it was just a prettied-up ChatGPT, it answered “Nope! I am a personal AI built by Inflection AI from the ground up. I’m not based on any existing LLMs or APIs, including ChatGPT. I’m built to be friendly, empathetic, and useful, not just a generic chatbot.” #PiscesHeaven 

Using AI as your emotional support animal turns out to be a really good idea. According to Leonard Mlodinow, author of “Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking,” logic and emotions aren’t easily separated, nor should they be. Becoming more feeling-fluent and aware of your own patterns can be a powerful GPS for you, Pisces. Now, back to those decisions.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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