SAVE $70: As of Oct. 16, the LG Ultrafine 32-inch is on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price. Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG Ultrafine 32-Inch Monitor $299.99 at Amazon   Shop Now If you've been working from home since 2020, chances are your setup is in need of an upgrade. Many of us threw together a haphazard, rushed space to work, and all these years later it has remained the same. Well, no more, because right now you can get a reduced monitor at Amazon for $70 less. As of Oct. 16, the LG 32UR500K-B Ultrafine 32-inch is reduced to $229.99, and it's a great choice for any desk.It has a 32-inch 4K UHD display which ensures everything you do is of the highest quality, with sharp detail and vibrant colors. The HDR10 keeps everything looking true to how it was meant to be seen, and the built-in MaxxAudio speakers add a more immersive sound. You can add external speakers if you want to, but you don't need to. SEE ALSO: Samsung's immersive Odyssey G9 gaming monitor just got $500 cheaper For an extended setup, it's super easy to adjust settings like the split screen mode, and the ergonomic stand lets you tilt the display to a comfortable angle, goodbye neck pain.And it doesn't have to be all work and no play, this is a great option for gaming too. This is thanks to the Dynamic Action Sync, a feature that keeps everything responsive with minimal lag. Pick up this monitor deal from Amazon now.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025:AcrossRed or white, but not blueThe answer is Wine.Island country whose culture inspired much of "Moana"The answer is Samoa.Garlic ___ (pizzeria appetizer)The answer is Knots.Small coastal waterwayThe answer is Inlet. Protective football gearThe answer is Pads.Down"___ bet?"The answer is Wanna.Remark after not getting a modern referenceThe answer is Im Old.Movie studio's feedback for a directorThe answer is Notes.3 o'clock, directionallyThe answer is East.Button pressed to escape a YouTube adThe answer is Skip.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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.Look around you — the online world is full of content restrictions and blockades. Porn comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XNXX from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that with a quick and easy hack.If you want to unblock porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.How to unblock XNXX for freeVPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world. SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free Unblock porn sites like XNXX by following these simple steps:Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XNXXVisit XNXX Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like XNXX without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like XNXX, for a number of reasons: Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policyFast streaming speeds free from throttlingUp to eight simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA 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 subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee.)Unblock XNXX for free with ExpressVPN.

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 hintA disturbance. SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerMELEEHurdle Word 2 hintA vital organ. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerHEART Hurdle Word 3 hintHow one might describe Chicago. 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 answerWINDYHurdle Word 4 hintThere are typically 12 in a courtroom. SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answerJURORFinal Hurdle hintSometimes found next to a toilet. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBEDETIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Happy Thursday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11, 2025 The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces. SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 15, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 16 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this red space must add to 6. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 16 PipsEqual (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.Number (21): Everything in this space must add to 21. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 16 PipsLess Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally.Equal (6): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.Equal (4): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.Less Than (4): Everything in this green space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires expertise in women's tennisAs 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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: Audience reactionsGreen: Needed for a game of hockeyBlue: Tennis winners down underPurple: Get your back into it Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Expression of ApprovalGreen: Hockey EquipmentBlue: Australian Open Singles WinnerPurple: ____BackLooking 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 #388 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Expression of Approval - APPLAUSE, CLAPPING, HAND, OVATIONHockey Equipment - GLOVES, HELMET, SKATE, STICKAustralian Open Singles Winner - GRAF, KEYS, OSAKA, PIERCE____Back - BRUSH, STEP, TAIL, TOUCHDon'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 yesterday's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a sweet tooth.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 13, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: Water gamesGreen: Used in military commsBlue: Types of carsPurple: An adhesive Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Found in a bakeryGreen: IrritableBlue: Marine animalsPurple: A yellow fruitLooking 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 #858 is...What is the answer to Connections todayFruit desserts: COBBLER, CRISP, CRUMBLE, TARTCrabby: CROSS, PRICKLY, SORE, SOURFish: CHAR, FLUKE, PIKE, SKATEBanana ___: BOAT, BREAD, SLUG, SPLITDon'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 13, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know a lot of fun facts.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 13, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 13, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: And the category is...The words are related to a popular game. Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe things to test knowledge.NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Trivia Night. Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 16SportsGeographyMovieTrivia NightMusicHistoryNewsLooking 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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've seen Mean Girls.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 13, 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 13, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Spiteful.Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter T appears twice.Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter C. 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...CATTYDon'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 13, 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 yesterday's Wordle.

It's almost the New Moon and each night the moon is becoming less visible, marking the end of its current cycle before it starts to grow brighter again. This lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, moving from New Moon to Full Moon and back as the Moon orbits Earth.What is today’s moon phase?As of Thursday, Oct. 16, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 22% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.There's a little less visibility tonight, but there's something to see. You won't need any visual aids to see the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Binoculars will aid you in seeing the Mare Humorum, Grimaldi Basin, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With a telescope, you'll also see the Reiner Gamma, a lunar swirl on the moon's surface, as well as the Schiller Crater.When is the next full moon?The next full moon will be on Nov. 5. What are moon phases?The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.The eight main moon phases are:New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

YouTube services are seemingly down as of Wednesday evening. Fortunately, the video streaming platform reports that it's now back up and running.Shortly after 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, users reported encountering playback errors, according to Downdetector and Google Trends data. YouTube acknowledged the outage shortly after 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, addressing it on its official X account. The post also directed users toward its community page for ongoing updates."We're aware that some of you are experiencing issues watching videos on YouTube right now," wrote Google spokesperson Dwight Harvey. "We're investigating the issue and will update the thread here with the latest. Really appreciate your patience." This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. YouTube subsequently reported that the issue had been fixed around an hour and a half after it first went down."Confirming this is resolved across all YouTube services," wrote Harvey. "Thanks again for your patience!" This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. It's still unclear exactly what caused the outage, however both Downdetector data and YouTube's statements indicated that it impacted YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV. It's also unclear exactly how many people were affected, though people across multiple countries reported having issues according to Downdetector.(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable.)This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.

SAVE $35.01: As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 10%. Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $314.98 at Amazon $349.99 Save $35.01   Get Deal If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, you've got options. Sure, an Apple Watch might be the cream of the crop for iPhone users, but for everyone else on Android, Samsung's Galaxy Watch line is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you can get one at a discount. As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's $35.01 off and a discount of 10%. SEE ALSO: The 7 best smartwatches of 2025 include some surprises This watch, with its "squircle" screen design, comes with a wide suite of fitness-tracking features, sleep coaching, and personal assistant options. It has a thinner silhouette and build than the previous Galaxy Watch, and its overhauled design is meant to help you better interface with your day and what's happening. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is one of our favorite smartwatches. Reviewer Adam Doud scored it a 4.6 out of 5 and gave it our Mashable Choice Award. Doud praised its "bright display, attractive build, and smart health features" in his evaluation. "I really like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, despite the battery life," Doud reflected. "I love the classy look, the software is really tight, and the Google Gemini integration is a big perk."Pick it up at a discount if you want a new smartwatch or an upgrade over your last Galaxy Watch.

Best Advent calendars on sale at Amazon Best Lego Advent Calendar Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 (save $13.50) Get Deal Best Pokémon Advent calendar Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 (save $5) Get Deal Best art and crafts Advent calendar Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 (save $8) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for young kids Bluey Amazon-Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 (save $3) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 (save $2.37) Get Deal We haven't quite hit Halloween yet, but it's time to start thinking about the December holidays and, in particular, an item you should consider buying now: an Advent calendar. Each year, the best selection of these fun holiday calendars sell out, which means it's wise not to procrastinate. Plus, we've found plenty of great options that are on sale at Amazon. In stock and on sale? You know what to do. Here are some of our favorite picks.Best Lego Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 at Amazon $44.99 Save $13.50   Get Deal Why we like itLego Advent calendars are always a hit, and this year's Star Wars calendar is a fantastic option for fans of all ages. All of the favorite characters are here, and some have donned their best holiday outfits to celebrate 24 days of mini-builds. The possibility that the 2025 Star Wars Lego calendar will sell out is high, so snag this deal soon to make sure you're ready for the fun come Dec. 1. You can also grab it on sale at Walmart for $31.49, if Amazon is not your thing.Best Pokémon Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Pop! Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $5   Get Deal Why we like itFrom the Funko Pop! brand, the Pocket Pop! Pokémon calendar is another great option for both young and old(er) fans. Each of the 24 days features a collectible vinyl mini-figure that'll be a fun addition to your desk, the bookshelf, or your basket of Pokémon toys.Best arts and crafts advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 at Amazon $24.99 Save $8   Get Deal Why we like itKeep the little ones busy this holiday season with the Play-Doh Advent Calendar designed for ages three and up. Each of the 24 days features both a Play-Doh color and one tool for a daily crafting session. The stampers and cutters follow fun holiday themes so kids can whip up cookies for Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes, and plenty more.Best Bluey Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Bluey Bluey Amazon Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 at Amazon $24.99 Save $3   Get Deal Why we like itOur beloved Bluey wouldn't miss out on the holiday fun, and the Amazon-exclusive Bluey Advent Calendar is a great way to kick off the season. The 24 days include items like stickers, accessories, a mini Christmas tree, and plenty more. Rewatch the Bluey Christmas episodes, which make opening these the ultimate celebration.Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Opens in a new window Credit: Pukka Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 at Amazon $23.99 Save $2.37   Get Deal Why we like itWhat better way to ring in the holiday season than with relaxing organic tea? The Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar is packed with 24 sachets of both black and green teas with great winter flavors like mint, ginger, and chai. There are also calming night-time teas for evenings at the fireplace.More Advent calendars on sale at Amazon:Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Chocolate Candy Advent Calendar — $12.48 $14.49 (save $2.01)Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2025 (42668) — $25.49 $34.99 (save $9.50)Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar 2025 (21280) — $26.94 $44.99 (save $18.05)Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar — $27.88 $29.99 (save $2.11)Lego City Advent Calendar 2025 (60475) — $29.99 $34.99 (save $5)Playmobil Junior Advent Calendar: Snowy Christmas — $32.04 $34.99 (save $2.95)Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 (43273) — $38 $44.99 (save $6.99)Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 (76456) — $38.99 $44.99 (save $6)

TL;DR: Stay warm and entertained with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro — thousands of retro games, 4K streaming, and plug-and-play simplicity for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99). Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console $89.97 $159.99 Save $70.02   Get Deal If you’re not thrilled about the cold setting in, here’s a reason to look forward to staying inside: the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is just $89.97 (MSRP $159.99) with free shipping. It’s part retro gaming console, part modern streaming device — and 100 percent nostalgia trip.This little powerhouse comes pre-loaded with thousands of retro and 3D games, spanning consoles you grew up with and a few you probably forgot existed. Built with a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31MP2 GPU, it runs everything from classic pixel art titles to modern Android apps with silky-smooth performance and crisp 4K visuals.But this isn’t just for solo gamers — grab a friend, sync up the included controllers, and make it a full-blown living-room event. The dual operating systems (Android 9.0 for streaming and EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming) mean you can switch from a round of Street Fighter II to Netflix in seconds.What you’ll get:Dual systems in one console: Android 9.0 + EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming and streaming60+ emulators and thousands of pre-installed gamesExpandable storage via microSD4K HD output with dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity2 wireless controllers, remote, and 256GB game card includedWinter entertainment problem: solved.Get the Super Console X2 Pro while it’s on sale with free shipping for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99).StackSocial prices subject to change.

HUNTR/X stans, rejoice! The KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is returning to movie theaters, so you'll have a shot to watch the film somewhere other than your couch, couch, couch.The sing-along, which slayed the box office during its original Aug. run, will be back in movie theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Given its Halloween release, there's no better time to show off your HUNTR/X or Saja Boys cosplays. SEE ALSO: 5 takeaways from 'KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along experience Tickets for the sing-along go on sale Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. ET. The sing-along will be showing in the U.S. and Canada, along with international locations including the UK, Ireland, Korea, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.The re-release of the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is further proof of the film's dominance across pop culture this year. KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most streamed movie of all time, while its soundtrack soared to the top of the charts. Eternal earworm "Golden" even hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. KPop Demon Hunters' success has translated to other media as well, earning it a Fortnite collab and an entire Saturday Night Live sketch. Following the sketch, the singing voices of HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — performed "Golden" for the first time on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. (HUNTR/X's speaking voices are Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo.)Between these appearances and the return of the sing-along, it's clear that the KPop Demon Hunters party is far from done, done, done.KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event returns to theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Elon Musk's X dropped its legacy verification program for users back when the platform was still known as Twitter. Since then, X has been a haven for misinformation and racism.However, according to X's new head of product, Nikita Bier, the site is planning an overhaul to profiles in an attempt to restore user trust. In a post on X, Bier explained that the platform is currently testing out a new profile display that lists what country the user is based in, when they joined the site, how the user accessed X, and how many username changes the account has undergone. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. X users can currently list their location in their profile. However, it appears the new profile information page is not user-generated. The platform will display where the account is based out of via the location the user actually posts from."When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity," Bier posted on X. "This is critical to getting a pulse on important issues happening in the world."Bier says there will be "toggles" which will allow users to make specific information private in order to protect certain users' privacy. However, Bier says any information that's configured by a user will be highlighted so other users know too. Bier also shared that they are experimenting with exactly what information to include in this section as well, so new account data may be added or removed as X tests out the feature.The blue verification badge was once an indicator that a user was a trustworthy source on X. However, after Musk acquired the company, he removed the old verification system which required that the company itself verify noteworthy users like politicians, journalists, and celebrities. Now, any user can pay $8 per month to sign up for X Premium and receive a blue verification badge. As a result, spammers and provocateurs have weaponized their verified status in order to spread scams and misinformation on the platform.Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, provides similar types of information for certain pages and profiles on their platform. For example, a user can go to the about section of any Facebook Page and see the country of origin for the users behind the page, as well as any name changes the page has gone through.According to Bier, X will begin rolling the new policy out on a "handful" of X employees' profiles in order to get feedback.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97, 81% off the $219.99 regular price. Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97 $219.99 Save $180.02   Get Deal If your old Windows machine is struggling to keep up with your day to day, it might be time to upgrade your productivity applications. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is feature-packed suite of applications designed to seamless keep up with all the data handling, project managing, word processing and creating you do every day, and right now you can get it for just $39.97, or 81% off the $219.99 list price.Office Pro 2021 isn’t the most current version of Office: Microsoft’s standalone Office 2024 and subscription-based Microsoft 365 are. But while it doesn’t have some of the most recent AI features of the newest models, it does include in all the word processing and data management features for collaboration and communication you expect from Office. And unlike subscription models, that access is all yours for life, no further charges ever. SEE ALSO: Unlock eight Adobe and Microsoft apps for just $90 With your purchase, you get a lifetime license to not just Microsoft Word and Excel, but presentation creator PowerPoint, mail manager Outlook, and OneNote, Publisher, and Access to boot. You also get the free version of communications essential Microsoft Teams. And you’re buying it from a Microsoft verified partner, so you can buy with confidence.You’ll get instant delivery for download of Office 2021, ready for installation on one PC for home or work use. It’s good to note that your license will be connected to the device you download it on, not your Microsoft account, and that this version of Office is not compatible with MS Office on Parallels Pro or other virtual machines.If you’ve been looking to upgrade your older version of Office, this is a great deal on a powerful productivity package.Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97 (reg. $219.99).StackSocial prices subject to change.

Search news articles about being "chronically online" and you’ll mostly dig up fluff pieces on celebs who spend too much time on X or TikTok (Joe Jonas just can't be without his phone!). Yet "chronically online" is also used by media outlets to describe people like Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. "Investigators say Robinson is what some would call chronically online — a person who spends an inordinate amount of time on messaging platforms, on social media, and playing video games,” according to NPR.Is being chronically online simply a goofy trait or, rather, a gateway to loneliness, delusion, or even violence? The word "chronic" makes the description seem clinical, like a diagnosed disease, but chronically online is an unscientific term — and a descriptor open to much interpretation."I don’t think there is an agreement on how much online time is 'too much,' because it also depends on what one does on the internet," Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an empire innovation professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, tells Mashable. "I mean, many people work only using the internet, so they use it 40+ hours a week, plus for personal time. But then, if one [spends] the same amount of time on social media, that is a different story. Or playing online games. Or doomscrolling." SEE ALSO: New California law hopes to stop AI-assisted suicide among teens The phrase "chronically online" became somewhat ubiquitous during COVID when there was little to do besides walking, baking bread, and staring at the internet. As CNET (a sister site to Mashable) pointed out in 2021, certain millennials and members of Gen Z loved pointing out chronically online behavior among their peers, like regularly using verbiage exclusive to the internet (e.g., IRL, OOMF) or getting involved in debates with strangers. While those examples seem relatively innocuous, chronically online people can also gravitate from offline connections toward parasocial relationships, and get overly vested in disputes involving celebrities (Nicki Minaj v. Cardi B. seems to be a prime example).Still, needlessly getting vested in a movie star's divorce may not be the best use of someone’s time, but it’s a far cry from being radicalized on Reddit to commit violence. "I think the key here is ‘chronically,' which, to me, denotes a medical condition," says John Fitzgerald, PhD, an associate professor of English at Salem State University who has written about technology for publications like the New York Times. "I think it has less to do with how much time a person spends online or even what they’re looking at and more to do with their immersion in online spaces."Utah governor Spencer Cox described Robinson’s online behavior as traversing "that deep dark internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep." SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis' Not mentioned by Cox was whether or not Robinson utilized AI chatbots, which have come under scrutiny for allegedly encouraging suicidal ideation among young people. The term AI psychosis has emerged as a way to describe someone who's lost connection to reality due to their relationship with an AI chatbot — but "AI psychosis," like "chronically online," is not a clinical term. Would clarification from medical experts on when online behavior crosses from simply unhealthy to downright dangerous help people before it’s too late? Maybe, but currently there is scant information on unhealthy internet behavior on HHS.com, the website of the government's Health and Human Services department. (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration department, a division of HHS, does provide suggestions for kids and youth navigating the internet.)Dangerous online behavior can emerge when a mix of unhealthy factors is at play, says Saed D. Hill, PhD, a psychologist and masculinity coach."Some signs [of dangerous online behavior] include when one's online engagement starts to really fuel social isolation, rigid belief systems, it's always us versus them, or aggression against certain groups...then it is probably shifting from basic coping and escapism to full-on radicalization or potential for violence," Hill says. "Social isolation, mixed with aggression, and having trouble with relationships is a big sign, though. This is exacerbated by things like drugs, alcohol, and access to weapons."Hill encourages those concerned about a loved one's online behavior to join them in offline activities and simply engage with them more. Counseling and therapy are also beneficial for those struggling with online attachment; connecting with other humans to explore unmet needs is always a better solution than "turning to the digital echo chambers that tech companies profit and thrive off," says Hill. If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Artists and creators love Pinterest for its ability to fuel creativity. It's the homepage for anyone who needs to brainstorm a theme for a party, wants to create a mood board for their upcoming year, or want to curate characteristics for a new cast in a novel they're writing. Over the past few years, though, Pinterest has become inundated with AI slop.But this week, Pinterest gave its users the ability to filter out AI content, and fans are elated. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. It's fairly simple to do. Not everyone has access to the setting in their mobile app, so head to the desktop Pinterest app and follow the next few steps to remove as much AI from your Pinterest account as you can. Total Time 1 min What You Need Pinterest account on desktop Step 1: Click the settings gear On your Pinterest homepage, click the settings gear in the bottom left. Credit: Pinterest screenshot Step 2: Refine your recommendations In the settings dropdown menu, click "refine your recommendations." Credit: Pinterest screenshot Step 3: Click GenAI interests In the small menu underneath "refine your recommendations," click "GenAI interests." Credit: Pinterest screenshot Step 4: Toggle off GenAI interests As pinterest says, here you can "Choose GenAI interests you’d like to see in your recommended Pins." Toggle off all of the GenAI interests you don't want to see, and keep the interests you want to see on. When you toggle an option off, Pinterest will pop up with the notice: "Turned off! You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon." Credit: Pinterest screenshot It's important to note that even if you turn off all of the GenAI interests, you still might see some AI-generated images on your Pinterest. After all, the popup reads: "You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon." Key word: fewer.

Anthropic announced Claude Haiku 4.5 on Wednesday, the latest version of its compact AI model designed for speed, affordability, and safety. The company says Haiku 4.5 delivers near-frontier-level performance — matching the coding capabilities of Claude Sonnet 4 at one-third the cost and twice the speed. It’s now available across Anthropic’s apps, Claude Code, and through Amazon Bedrock and Google Cloud Vertex AI. Pricing is set at $1 per million input tokens and $5 per million output tokens. SEE ALSO: Say hello to Claude Sonnet 4.5, which Anthropic calls 'the best coding model in the world' Haiku 4.5 is also Anthropic’s safest model yet, according to the company’s internal evaluations. It scored lower on misalignment behaviors than even the flagship Claude Sonnet 4.5 and carries an AI Safety Level 2 classification — a less restrictive rating than the ASL-3 label given to Anthropic’s more advanced models. The lightweight model is aimed at developers and companies building real-time AI applications like chat assistants, coding copilots, and customer service tools.But the timing of the launch is notable. Just this week, Bloomberg reported that Anthropic has become a target for criticism from the Trump administration’s AI czar, David Sacks, who accused the company of "regulatory capture" and "fear-mongering" over its support for California’s new AI transparency law. Cofounder Jack Clark pushed back, saying the company is aligned with the White House on most issues but continues to advocate for responsible federal oversight.Taken together, the release of Haiku 4.5 could be seen as a balancing act. One that's trying to prove that AI safety and progress don’t have to be at odds — even as the political climate around those principles grows more hostile.