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Amelia Dimoldenberg may have had Ed Sheeran on her show before, but that didn't stop her from taking a solid jab at the singer during her SNL UK monologue.

"I'm incredibly privileged to have done so many interviews with people like Idris Elba, Cher, and even a world-famous red-headed puppet with a hand up his arse, telling him what to say," says the Chicken Shop Date host in the clip above. Meanwhile, an image of her and Elmo appears in the background. "No, the other one," she adds, switching to an image of Ed Sheeran, in a joke referencing the widespread criticism the singer has received recently after Macklemore was dropped from his tour after saying "Free Palestine" during a show.

This is the second week Sheeran has been mocked on SNL UK — last Saturday, he took a roasting during the "Weekend Update" segment.

SAVE $30: As of Sept. 28, the DJI Neo is on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo $169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30   Get Deal

Want to try your hand at drone photography without investing in one of the more expensive models? The DJI Neo is a great choice. It's small, lightweight, and designed for beginners, and it's currently on sale at Amazon.

With the next installment of Prime Day starting next week, early deals have already started to appear, and according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, the DJI Neo is currently at its lowest-ever price.

It's a lightweight 135-gram camera drone that can take off and land directly from your palm. It can fly without a controller, using the DJI Fly app or voice controls, or you can pair it with a remote controller for more control.

It has various features that make it great for beginners, such as Subject Tracking, which follows you as you move, and eight QuickShots modes that make it easy to capture different types of footage with minimal setup. The drone records in 4K UHD with DJI stabilization and level-4 wind resistance to keep footage smooth, and full-coverage propeller guards provide added protection when flying around obstacles.

Head to Amazon now to get this drone for $169.

SAVE OVER $200: As of Sept. 28, the iRobot Roomba 115X robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon exclusively for Prime members. That's $270 (57%) off its full price of $469.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 115X Robot Vacuum and Mop $199.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $270   Get Deal

Early robot vacuum deals have been dropping left and right on Amazon ahead of its Prime Big Deal Days sale event, starting on Oct. 6.

If you're a Prime member, the iRobot Roomba 115X robot vacuum and mop is 57% off ahead of the sale.

As of Sept. 28, this robot vacuum's price has plummeted from $469.99 to $199.99, but only for Prime members. This deal is an exclusive early treat to jump on, and if you're curious about signing up to take advantage of it, check out our how-to guide.

SEE ALSO: 30+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live offers on Apple, Nintendo, and Garmin this weekend

The iRobot Roomba 115X can be a huge help. Its 15,000 Pa suction power can clear crumbs, dirt, and dust scattered across your floors, while its washable microfiber mopping pad scrubs everything from dusty paw prints to light smudges on your hard floors.

The mop won't carry over its duties onto carpets or rugs, so you can set a No Mop Zone for the cleaner to keep them protected. It also comes with ClearView LiDAR, which assists with navigation and mapping your home to achieve an efficient clean and avoid any items in its path. Plus, it self-empties into the AutoEmpty dock for 90 days, so you don't have to worry about clearing it out after every clean.

Prime members, don't miss out on this great deal on the iRobot Roomba 115X robot vacuum and mop while it's still live at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box — $89.99 (save vs. market price)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

When we write about e-readers, Kindle is usually the first name that comes to mind. But in the color e-reader market, Kindle has been late to the party. That delay opened the door for other brands to step in with stronger devices. We’ve rounded up the best color e-readers, and here are the ones that stood out.

Color e-reader price increases

2026 has not been a good year for tech prices. Due to the global memory crisis, prices are increasing on tablets, phones, laptops, and even e-readers. Three out of the four color e-readers on this list increased in price this year. The only e-reader to avoid a price hike was the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.

Only the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft was safe from a price hike in 2026. Credit: Mashable Temper your color expectations An e-reader's color won't be quite as vibrant as a tablet's or physical book's. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mangino

Having tested my way through a lot of e-readers — and now color e-readers — I’ve found a universal truth: While the colors are accurate, they often look a bit washed out. No matter which brand you use, that’s going to be the case. The muted tones don’t outweigh the convenience and portability of color e-readers, but it’s worth tempering your expectations.

Don’t expect the vivid, punchy colors of an iPad screen. An iPad has a max nits of 500 (a measure of brightness), while Kobo and Kindle e-readers max out at 100.

The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft makes a splash

In February 2026, we added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to this guide. After testing Amazon's latest e-reader, we were thoroughly impressed by both its speed and display. With an 11-inch display, it's still too large for daily e-reader use; however, that makes it a fantastic device for note-taking. Not to mention it is an investment at $629.99, making it the priciest model on this list.

What about ReMarkable tablets?

You might notice that ReMarkable e-ink tablets are not on this list. We've tested both the ReMarkable Paper Pro and ReMarkable Paper Move, and while they're dynamic digital notebooks, they're limited in their e-reader capabilities. Getting e-books on these devices was a bit of a struggle, and we missed the Libby integrations available on Kindles and Kobos. So while we think they're great e-ink tablets, they're inferior e-readers.

SAVE $300: As of Sept. 28, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max is on sale for $1,799 at Amazon. That's a 14% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max $1,799 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $300   Get Deal

With Amazon's Prime Day just over a week away, portable power stations are a category getting early deal attention. There are plenty to choose from, with all kinds of discounts, but if you're looking for something seriously powerful, this latest deal on the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max is worth a look.

Normally $2,099, it's now $1,799 for a limited time, saving you $300. This price is for the unit on its own, but there are various upgrade options, including solar panels and additional battery packs.

If you want an idea of how powerful this unit really is, Jackery says it can be transformed into a "home energy hub." It starts with a 3.6kWh capacity and can be expanded up to 43kWh, giving you enough power for more demanding appliances.

Inside, it has EV-grade LFP cells that give you a 6,000-cycle lifespan, which equates to around 16 years. It also has a fireproof housing and dedicated emergency power-off switch for added protection. And despite its high power capacity, it operates at under 30dB, so you'll hardly notice it running.

This deal is available at Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box — $89.99 (save vs. market price)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for life for $29.97 (reg. $219.99) through Oct. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.97
$219.99 Save $190.02   Get Deal

Microsoft 365 subscriptions run $99.99 a year at their lowest tier, which adds up if all you need is Word, Excel, and PowerPoint working reliably. A lifetime license skips that structure entirely: one payment of $29.97 (reg. $219.99), and it’s yours through Oct. 11.

This isn’t a stripped-down version. It’s a one-time download of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, the free version of Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access for one Windows PC. The apps are built for the fundamentals — reports, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and databases — without the newer AI integrations that come bundled into Microsoft 365 whether you want them or not.

Because the license is tied to the device rather than a Microsoft account, it’s a fit for a computer you plan on using for years rather than one you swap out annually. Once it’s installed, there’s no subscription to track, no renewal date to remember, and no risk of losing access if a monthly payment lapses.

Setup is instant: the license delivers right after purchase, and support is included if you run into installation issues.

Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $29.97 through Oct. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $200.02: As of Sept. 28, the Bluetti Apex 300 is on sale for $1,498.98 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Apex 300 $1,498.98 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Deal Days officially gets underway next week, but early deals have been popping up for some time. With everything from robot vacuums to portable power stations already on sale, there's no need to wait for the sale if you need to make a purchase now.

If you've been eyeing the Bluetti Apex 300, it's currently $200 off, bringing the price down to $1,498.98.

The Apex 300 starts with a 2,765Wh capacity and can provide both 120V and 240V power, so it has enough capacity to handle a range of appliances, for use as home backup or on the go during camping or RV trips.

And if you need more power, you can increase your setup's capacity with additional Bluetti devices. Additional B300K or B500K batteries can be added as your power needs increase, with optional accessories providing features such as RV 12V DC power, faster charging from your vehicle, and increased solar input.

Plus, this model is built to last, thanks to its LiFePO4 battery. This means it is designed to provide more than 6,000 charge cycles, while retaining 80% of its capacity. According to Bluetti, this equates to a lifespan of around 17 years.

You can find this portable power station deal at Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box — $89.99 (save vs. market price)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $13.01: As of Sept. 28, the Xteink X4 Classic Pocket e-Reader is on sale for $75.99 at Amazon. That's down from its $89 list price — giving you a 15% discount on this paper-feel reading device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xteink Xteink X4 Classic Pocket e-Reader $75.99 at Amazon
$89 Save $13.01   Get Deal

The newly launched Xteink X4 Classic Pocket e-Reader is on sale for $75.99 at Amazon, down from its $89 list price. That 15% markdown marks the absolute lowest price we've seen on this ultra-portable reader since it hit the site.

If your smartphone screen is constantly frying your eyes before bed, this tiny pocket gadget wants to take you back to basics. The Xteink X4 is designed for distraction-free reading, skipping the loud notifications, pop-up ads, and social media rabbit holes entirely. It weighs just 2.4 ounces (roughly 68 grams) and sits at an impossibly thin 0.19 inches. That means it is thin enough to slip into your shirt pocket or a tiny crossbody bag without adding bulk to your daily carry.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best e-readers we've ever tested

Despite its tiny footprint, the 4.3-inch E-Ink display gives you a glare-free, paper-like reading experience that holds up even in direct sunlight. Rather than smudging a touchscreen, page-turning controls are built into dedicated physical buttons along the body — or you can shake the whole device to flip pages when reading one-handed on a crammed subway.

Managing your library is also equally low-friction. You can load TXT, EPUB, MOBI, and PDF files directly onto a microSD card, connect over a USB port, or transfer them wirelessly through their companion app. Add in a built-in magnetic back that snaps onto metal surfaces or magnetic phone accessories, plus a 920mAh battery designed for low-power consumption, and you get a dead-simple, zero-distraction reader for killing time on your commute.

If you want to read more without carrying around a bulky tablet, snag this discount before the price jumps back to $89.

Whether you need a smart speaker, a smart alarm clock, or a hub for all of your smart devices, there's an Echo to help you out. Amazon's list of devices is ever-growing, and we've tested as many as we could to find the best Echo devices for your smart home.

If you're ready to invest in an Echo, you don't need to buy these devices at full price. They always go on sale during events like Prime Day and Black Friday, so it's worth holding out until the next big sale.

Echo device price increases

Thanks to the global memory crisis, widespread price increases are plaguing tech. As of August 2026, major price increases came to Amazon devices. This included Kindles and, unfortunately, Echos, too. Here are all of the Echo devices affected:

• Echo Dot — was $49.99, now $79.99 (+$30)

• Echo Dot Max — was $99.99, now $119.99 (+$20)

• Echo Spot — was $79.99, now $109.99 (+$30)

• Echo Show 5 — was $89.99, now $99.99 (+$10)

• Echo Show 8 — was $149.99, now $199.99 (+$50)

• Echo Show 11 — was $219.99, now $249.99 (+$30)

• Echo Show 15 — was $299.99, now $349.99 (+$50)

• Echo Show 21 — was $399.99, now $499.99 (+$100)

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Alexa is a Mashable Readers' Choice Award winner What can an Echo smart speaker do? Trying out the new Echo Spot smart alarm clock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All Echo devices utilize Amazon Alexa's AI superpowers — it's just a matter of which form you want your Echo to take. The Echo and Echo Dot are smart speakers that you can use for music, phone calls, calendar reminders, or news alerts. Amazon Echo Show devices, on the other hand, can do all of the aforementioned audio stuff, but they also boast colorful displays for making video calls, streaming entertainment, or managing your day. Think of Echo Shows as stationary, more affordable tablets, essentially.

Most Echo devices are designed to act as smart hubs within your home, but some Echo devices can also be taken on the road. Echo Auto brings hands-free Alexa functionality to the car, while Echo Buds and Echo Frames can travel with you anywhere.

What can Alexa+ do?

Alexa is to Amazon as Siri is to Apple, and is the driving force behind every Echo. But Alexa just got a big upgrade. Now there's Alexa+, an AI-powered version of Alexa introduced to Echo devices in March 2025. For Prime subscribers, Alexa+ will be included in membership, and non-subscribers will have to pay $19.99 per month for the service.

Alexa has an answer to almost anything you ask. Just by shouting out, you can play music, adjust the volume, and set an alarm or timer. And that's just naming a few options. On devices like the Echo Show, you can also ask Alexa to pull up recipes or answer questions that come up while cooking. With Alexa+, the AI agent doesn't just respond to commands but can actually engage in conversation.

Here's a short list of what Alexa+ can do:

• Provide a highlight reel of the day's security footage

• Read stories to kids

• Plan a date night

• Book restaurant reservations

• Control your smart home technology from one central hub

• Access your calendars and set reminders

• Get answers to any question you can think of

• Make phone calls (and video calls with an Echo Show)

• Get the latest weather and news

• Follow recipes

• Shop on Amazon

• Stream music (and video on an Amazon Echo Show)

• Play games

There are more than 100,000 Alexa skills that you can utilize via an Echo device, and Amazon is always adding more.

Alexa gets supercharged when other smart home tech comes into the picture. If you have a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs, as long as they're compatible with the Alexa system, you can create routines through your Echo. That can be as simple as telling Alexa to turn on the lights in one room or programming Alexa to turn the thermostat down before you come home.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 28, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Pokémon fans are desperately hunting for anything from the new Pokémon 30th Celebration collection. Anyone who experienced the queues circling Target stores this weekend can attest to that.

With that in mind, we're truly surprised to see Amazon's latest deal on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. It's wild that they still have stock, but it's even wilder that Amazon is listing this popular ETB for way under market price.

As of Sept. 28, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for just $89.99 on Amazon. That's much cheaper than the market price listed by TCG Player.

Of course, there's a catch. You can't simply buy the Elite Trainer Box on Amazon. Instead, potential buyers must click the "request invite" button. If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that's valid for 72 hours.

These ETBs are selling incredibly quickly, so the "invitation to buy" system is clearly working for many shoppers. And even if your invitation request isn't immediately selected, Amazon will keep it on file and you might get another shot when it's restocked. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Score the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for $89.99 at Amazon — way below market price.

Apple just had a very busy September, but from what we're hearing, the company plans to continue launching new products in quick succession over the next couple of months.

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, launches this October, and it may seem like it could seal the fate of the iPad mini. But the smallest of iPads has proven to be quite resilient over the years, and given just how much cheaper it is than the iPhone Duo ($599 vs. $1,999), it'll probably stick around for a while.

According to MacRumors, Apple is preparing to launch the next-gen iPad mini, with an A20 Pro chip, a landscape-oriented front camera, as well as a new speaker system. We've also previously heard that the iPad mini will be water resistant, and it might come with a slightly larger OLED display.

There's no word on exact launch date, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously said it could launch by the end of October.

That's not all, though. Apple is also planning to launch the HomePod mini 2, which is likely to feature a new chip and support for Siri AI. It will also come in five colors: green, pink, blue, white, and black (all of these are new besides white and blue, but even that one will reportedly be slightly lighter than the shade of blue that's currently on offer).

The launch window for the HomePod mini 2 is less clear, but it should happen before year's end.

Finally, Apple is likely to launch the fourth generation Apple TV 4K. It'll look exactly the same as the current model, but it will come with a new chip (probably A17 Pro or better), 8GB of RAM (up from 4GB on the current model), Siri AI support, new N1 chip that supports Wi-Fi 7, and a redesigned remote.

SEE ALSO: Apple to fix iPhone 18 Pro Face ID bug

All of the above info comes from actual image files hidden in Apple's code, so it's quite likely to be real. Again, this doesn't tell us much about exact launch date, but it's likely Apple will reveal several of these products together, possibly in October.

TL;DR: Watch Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League for free on RaiPlay. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League action continues with another week of interesting matchups, including Turkey vs. Italy. The hosts are desperately looking to bounce back after a really disappointing summer. Italy didn't even qualify for the World Cup, so the only way is up for the Azzurri.

Both sides lost their opening games in this latest edition of the competition. That heaps the pressure on.

If you're interested in watching Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Turkey vs. Italy?

Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 28. This fixture takes place at the Centennial Atatürk Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. Italy for free

Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can live stream Turkey vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Turkey vs. Italy for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Watch Turkey vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Turkey vs. Italy without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RaiPlay, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Turkey vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Belgium vs. France in the Nations League for free on TF1. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League provides plenty of opportunities to see top international sides battle it out. We've been blessed by a number of high-profile matchups since the competition restarted last week, and the action continues with Belgium vs. France.

If you're interested in watching Belgium vs. France in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Belgium vs. France?

Belgium vs. France in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 28. This fixture takes place at the King Baudouin Stadium.

How to watch Belgium vs. France for free

Belgium vs. France in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can live stream Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Belgium vs. France for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in France

4. Visit TF1

5. Watch Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Belgium vs. France without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including France

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world 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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

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

Taylor ___.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SWIFT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

"I looked all over."

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SCOUR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Clingy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 28, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

NEEDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Rubbish

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRASH

Final Hurdle hint

Parched.

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

DRIED

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

The Full Moon has passed, but the Moon will still look almost completely lit tonight. It's now beginning to wane, although you probably won't notice much difference from the night before. Here's what you can spot on the lunar surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 28, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 97% of its surface visible.

There's still so much to see tonight, including the Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis which can be spotted without visual aids. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Clavius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Gassendi Crater. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots, plus the Rima Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon goes through a repeating cycle as it orbits Earth, taking roughly 29.5 days to complete. During that time, the amount of its sunlit side visible from Earth changes, giving us the different lunar phases. It starts with a slim crescent, grows to a half Moon and eventually reaches the Full Moon, before beginning the cycle again. NASA explains that which phase we see depends on where the Moon is in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The eight 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who like the SEC.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Animals in the SEC

• Green: Fantasy

• Blue: QBs

• Purple: Hidden WNBA teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An SEC Athlete

• Green: Fantasy Football Apps

• Blue: NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round

• Purple: Ends in a WNBA Team

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 #731 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An SEC Athlete: BULLDOG, GATOR, RAZORBACK, TIGER

• Fantasy Football Apps: ESPN, FANTRAX, SLEEPER, YAHOO

• NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round: DALTON, HURTS, LOCK, SHOUGH

• Ends in a WNBA Team: DAYDREAM, GRIMACES, HUSKY, THUNDERSTORM

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 yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 28, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (18): Everything in this space must be greater than 18. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Less than (8): Everything in this space must be less than 8. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (14): Everything in this space must be greater than 14. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 28, 2026 Challenger meaning

A person or thing that competes against a current titleholder to win a prize.

Charger meaning

A device used to put electrical energy back into a rechargeable battery..

Durango meaning

A state in northern Mexico.

Viper meaning

A venomous snake with long fangs.

Horseradish meaning

A perennial root vegetable from the mustard family.

Lemon meaning

A round, yellow and sour citrus fruit.

Mignonette meaning

A tangy condiment made with vinegar, shallots and black pepper. It's typically served with oysters.

Tabasco meaning

An American brand of hot sauce made from tabasco chili peppers, salt and vinegar.

Bamboo meaning

A tall, fast-growing tropical plant with hard, hallow stems.

Celery meaning

A crunchy green vegetable with long, fibrous stems.

Corn meaning

A tall cereal plant that produces edible yellow kernels.

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Wheat meaning

A cereal grain from grass.

Arkansans meaning

A Midwestern US stat, known as "The Natural State."

Chihuahua meaning

A tiny dog breed.

Possesses meaning

To have or to own something.

Springing meaning

Jumping or moving quickly.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a pescatarian.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 September 28, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Jack and the bean___

• Green: Seafood

• Blue: Cars

• Purple: Philosophical symbols

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things with stalks

• Green: Oyster condiments

• Blue: Dodge models

• Purple: Three letters plus repeated trigrams

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 #1204 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things with stalks: BAMBOO, CELERY, CORN, WHEAT

• Oyster condiments: HORSERADISH, LEMON, MIGNONETTE, TABASCO

• Dodge models: CHALLENGER, CHARGER, DURANGO, VIPER

• Three letters plus repeated trigrams: ARKANSNS, CHIHUAHUA, POSSESSES, SPRINGING

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a creative.

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 September 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A form of art

The words are related to art.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe creative mediums.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Sculpture.

NYT Strands word list for September 28

• Soapstone

• Glass

• Marble

• Sculpture

• Wood

• Clay

• Bronze

• Steel

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.