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

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 5, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Oh well, too bad, such a shame

The words are related to disappointment.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe negative reactions.

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 Sad Trombone.

NYT Strands word list for October 5

• Bummer

• Sucks

• Boohoo

• Sad Trombone

• Alas

• Sorry

• Unfortunate

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.

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

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 5, 2026 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Chocolate.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MOCHA

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

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

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

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 Wordle.

When last we left Lanterns, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Hal Jordan's Halogram (Kyle Chandler) had ventured to the last alien world Manhunter Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan) had destroyed. There, among ruins and the potent residue of the Manhunter's tear gas, they discovered Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), last seen in a high-security space prison.

SEE ALSO: 'Lanterns' review: Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre shine bright in DC's sci-fi mystery

While an exciting tease of Lanterns' more cosmic potential, the sequence also left viewers with a ton of questions. How had Sinestro escaped? What was he doing on Antaan's (Paul Ben-Victor) dead planet, and how did a portal wind up in Rushville? Plus, Lanterns had yet to answer the question that's haunted it since the very beginning: Who killed Hal Jordan?

Thankfully, Lanterns also answers all these questions in its Season 1 finale, which nicely synthesizes its grander discussions of fear and family. If you're afraid of spoilers, now would be the time to turn back. Otherwise, let's get into it.

How did Sinestro escape from prison, and what is he up to now? Ulrich Thomsen in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

Before we get into Hal's murder, let's talk about the big, pink elephant in the room: Sinestro.

When John and Hal find him on Antaan's planet, he's working in a forge of some kind, where he's created a brand new lantern. Unlike the lantern we've seen Hal use to charge his rings, this one is streaked through with yellow. The new coloration comes from the leftover fear in the planet's water and air. While Sinestro insists this lantern will work like any other, the presence of yellow is ironically a red flag for any Green Lantern fan. On top of being associated with fear, yellow is tied to the villainous Sinestro Corps, as well as the cosmic fear parasite Parallax. With just a few streaks of yellow, Lanterns may be setting up its future antagonists.

But Sinestro isn't forging the lantern for himself. He's forging it for the person who broke him out of prison: Sheriff Kerry Kane's (Kelly Macdonald) son Noah Macon (Shea Pritchard). How in the world was a high school football star able to break Sinestro out of space prison? The answer is, he's no ordinary high school football star. Noah is also a Manhunter.

How is Noah Macon a Manhunter? Shea Pritchard in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

Noah is Lanterns' second secret Manhunter reveal, which comes as an extra shock because Zoe was supposed to be the last one. Plus, according to Antaan's conversation with William Macon (Garret Dillahunt) in episode 5, it seems like Manhunters aren't able to reproduce.

However, it appears that Zoe was able to use her Manhunter technology and a sample of Kerry's body to create a new Manhunter. As Kerry tells John later in the finale, Zoe was supposed to grow back the finger Kerry cut off to save herself from the Gotham goons hunting her down. Instead, Kerry found herself pregnant, which was odd since she hadn't been intimate with anyone in months. She gave birth to Manhunter Noah and tried her best to raise him to not be a monster.

SEE ALSO: 'Lanterns' finally reveals its Manhunter. Here were the biggest hints at the truth. What is Noah's plan? Shea Pritchard in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

Despite Kerry's best efforts, Noah found out who he truly was. (Remember Zoe telling him, "Don't forget everything I've told you"? She was definitely giving him Manhunter tips.) As he grew up, he found himself caught in a classic battle of nature versus nurture: Should he succumb to his power-hungry Manhunter ways? Or should he remain good and caring, like his mother taught him? His stated interest in politics and even the president in episode 7 suggest he's leaning towards the former. Yet his kindness to his fellow teammates, including drawing out his college football decision so more scouts could come see them play, highlights how there's still good in him.

Realizing that he is in danger from the Guardians, Noah sought the help of the one person who's ever killed a Guardian: Sinestro. He broke him out of prison and put him to work making the lantern as a contingency plan for his safety. He learned about Antaan's planet and how to get there from Zoe, who would occasionally visit.

SEE ALSO: 'War' review: HBO and Sky's delicious legal drama is your next TV obsession

Hal found out about Noah's Manhunter nature when Noah saved him from his burning house. He agreed to keep Kerry in the dark about Noah's knowledge, but he couldn't help but snoop around and go through Noah's portal. John assumes that Hal's meddling led to Noah killing him, but the truth is far more devastating.

Who killed Hal Jordan? Kelly Macdonald in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

In a heartbreaking turn of events, it was Kerry, not her son, who killed Hal. She fired on him after he confronted her about Noah being a Manhunter, insisting that she get away from Noah before he enacted his plan.

After Lanterns spent the first part of its finale focusing on Hal and Kerry's sweet relationship, the final killer reveal is an absolute gut punch, made all the better by Macdonald's superbly layered performance. As Kerry tells John, she informed him about Hal's death both because she thought he deserved to know, and because she wanted him to see Noah for himself. She wanted to know if she was raising a monster.

SEE ALSO: 'Ted Lasso' just sank to a new low

John doesn't see it that way. As Noah opens up to him about his desire to buck his Manhunter "programming," John recognizes a lot of himself in him. He thinks back to his traumatic childhood, a deeply regimented time of his life when his parents decided every step of his path. As he grew up, he found himself wondering what was truly him, and what was just his "repetition and training." Noah is undergoing a similar crisis: How much of him is Noah, and how much of him is Manhunter instinct?

The fact that Noah is even grappling with this, John thinks, is proof that Noah's on the right path. So, when Noah asks John to kill him out of mercy, John decides not to. Yes, this means there's still a Manhunter running around on Earth. But he's a Manhunter who's trying to be something other than what people expect him to be, and that's something John can relate to all too well.

Seeing himself in Noah, and seeing some of his own fearful mother, Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones), in Kerry, John retaliates against neither one, believing that that's what Hal would have wanted too.

How does John Stewart become a Green Lantern? Aaron Pierre in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

After leaving Kerry and Noah to celebrate his big football win and commitment to Nebraska, John still has some unfinished business to attend to. He summons Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) to Rushville and tells him there's going to be a change in Green Lantern management on Earth. From now on, Earth will be John's domain, while Guy will still get to monitor the rest of Sector 2814. Naturally, Guy is ticked off, especially since John verbally eviscerates him and his gold tooth. He says that the Guardians won't stand for this, but John knows otherwise.

Once Guy flies off, John is left alone with his ring, his lantern, and the Halogram. Both Hal and John know that once John charges his power ring with the new lantern, the Halogram will cease to exist. So begins a tear-jerking goodbye, one that ends with Hal telling John, "I love you too, Junior." He's come so far from throwing himself out of cars to teach John a lesson!

Aside from the heartfelt parting words, the biggest takeaway from Hal and John's goodbye is Hal's reminder to John: "Don't be afraid to be afraid."

The advice is a perfect culmination of John's journey, from being horrifically trained not to feel fear to later accepting it and finding his own path. His new lantern, shot through with yellow fear, becomes the physical embodiment of that arc.

There's only one thing left for John to do: recite the Green Lantern Corps oath and take on the role he spent so much of his life training for. But just like John's decision to take over Green Lantern duties on Earth, he's going to take the oath on his terms. His own oath goes as follows:

In brightest day, in darkest night,

I'll embrace my fear. I'll do what's right.

I choose this ring. I choose this fight.

In service to this lantern's light.

It's an empowering conclusion to John's complicated relationship with fear and the Guardians, made all the sweeter by him taking flight for the very first time. Between that and a scene of John reuniting with his family and embracing Bernadette, Lanterns closes the door on his painful journey to become Earth's Green Lantern, and opens the door to a whole new chapter of John's life.

Will there be a Lanterns Season 2? Aaron Pierre in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

HBO has not yet announced a Lanterns Season 2. However, even if the show doesn't continue, this certainly isn't the last we've seen of John Stewart. Aaron Pierre is confirmed to be reprising the role in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, out July 9, 2027. Perhaps we'll finally get to see his suit!

If Lanterns does continue, there are several plot threads it could tug on. For one, Sinestro is still out there. Yes, he's chained down on a desolate alien planet, but he's also escaped from a seemingly inescapable alien prison. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him. Plus, given the emphasis on the yellow fear in John's new lantern, Lanterns could begin introducing the Sinestro Corps, or even Parallax. There's a whole lot of Lantern lore to explore, should Lanterns light up our TV screens again.

Lanterns is now streaming on HBO Max.

TL;DR: Give little ones a gentle screen time option with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now only $59.99 (reg. $250).

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01   Get Deal

Early learning experiences don’t have to be boring. If you’re looking for a way to infuse a little education and fun into your little one’s life, it’s time to check out Pok Pok. This educational app serves as a guilt-free screen option that offers open-ended play and learning for kids ages 2-8.

Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for only $59.99.

Whether you have a reluctant learner or you’re looking for a better screen-time option, Pok Pok is an award-winning educational app that offers beneficial, calming screen time that is non-addictive for children.

Pok Pok takes a Montessori approach to learning, so kids can open the app and navigate it independently. There are no rules, levels, or objectives — and there’s no winning or losing. Your little ones can just tap a toy to start exploring categories like shapes, numbers, dinosaurs, space, and more.

Unlike many busy, bold apps geared toward kids, Pok Pok was developed in collaboration with early childhood experts and designed to be calming and non-addictive. Animations are all hand-drawn, and even the sound effects were made thoughtfully in-house. You can also rest easy knowing Pok Pok is COPPA-certified, ad-free, and GDPR-compliant, so kids won’t be tricked into making purchases.

This lifetime subscription includes access to regular updates, so it will never feel stale and can stay exciting. You’ll also receive an exclusive surprise gift with purchase.

Lock in this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

An appellate court in Arizona threw out the prison sentence of a man convicted of manslaughter after an A.I.-generated video of his victim was played in court.

It's official: Digger couldn't strike gold at the box office.

The Tom Cruise climate change satire, directed by Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, made $8 million at the domestic box office over its opening weekend, Variety reports. Its international earnings totaled $12 million, bringing Digger's opening weekend total to $20 million.

SEE ALSO: 'Digger' review: Tom Cruise swings big for Oscar gold, and dear God, does he miss

According to Variety, the film cost between $160 and $180 million to make, meaning Digger is officially a massive box-office bomb. It is also the last Warner Bros. film released before Warner Bros. Discovery merges with Paramount to become Skydance, marking a rough end to this era for the historic film studio.

Warner Bros. banked on Cruise's star power to deliver success for Digger, but the film's box office is shaping up to be one of the worst of the famed actor's career. (Yes, potentially worse than 2017's The Mummy, which stopped Universal's Dark Universe franchise plans outright.) Digger has the lowest box-office opening for Cruise since 2007's war drama Lions for Lambs, which earned $6.7 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend. However, with a $35 million budget, that film cost markedly less to make.

Following Digger's catastrophic opening and underwhelming critical response, Warner Bros. has leaned into the film's divisiveness with a new campaign that pits negative American reviews against positive international ones. Cruise posted a tribute to the film's cast and crew on Instagram, saying that he was "so proud of what we created."

Topping the box office this weekend was Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity, which picked up $32.6 million domestically and an extra $30 million internationally. It is Anne Hathaway's third number-one opening of the year, after The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey.

It was the battle of the video games on last night's Saturday Night Live.

SEE ALSO: Pete Hegseth performs slam poetry in 'SNL's Republican midterm ad cold open

During the show's Weekend Update segment, co-host Colin Jost stated that the hype around Grand Theft Auto VI is so massive, it's made other video game developers push their own release dates back to avoid competing with its Nov. 19 launch. Only one game still stands strong against it: Nintendo's remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, out Nov. 5.

To discuss the rival release dates, Jost invited GTA VI main character Jason (Marcello Hernandez) and The Legend of Zelda main character Link (Mikey Day) to the Weekend Update desk. What followed was essentially a redo of the pair's emoji sketch from last season, in which Hernandez's popular Red Heart character roasted Day's Aerial Tramway. Day retaliated with increasingly loud (and incredibly successful) attempts to break Hernandez.

Here, the joke is the same, just with a new skin. As Jason, Hernandez hypes up the cool factor of GTA VI, saying it promises "destruction, chaos, and sex."

He also labels The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as TMPNG: Too Many Puzzles, No Guns.

Meanwhile, Day's Link works to sell viewers on The Legend of Zelda's puzzles, light combat, and fairy bottles. With every diss from Jason, he gets more frantic and defensive, with breaks all around. Check out the chaos for yourself above, and decide whether you're heading to Hyrule or Vice City come November.

Saturday Night Live took the United States' upcoming midterm elections as an opportunity to break out several of its impressions of key members of the Republican party.

SEE ALSO: Watch Taylor Swift crash Dakota Johnson's 'SNL' monologue

In its Oct. 3 cold open, staffers of the Republican National Committee (Andrew Dismukes and Ashley Padilla) invite Republican politicians to film ads telling their base to get out and vote. First up is Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Marcello Hernandez), who delivers an impassioned speech in Spanish about how Trump "tricked" everyone, including him. Then comes a wheelchair-bound Senator Mitch McConnell (Mikey Day), who throws up a peace sign and almost cuts the cold open short with an ill-timed "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

After a brief appearance by Vice President JD Vance (Jeremy Culhane), whose ad (and presidential ambitions) are hastily dismissed, the cold open dials up the dude bro aggression with the appearance of Colin Jost's Pete Hegseth. He chugs Bero ("Spider-Man's new non-alcoholic bitch beer") and levels some insults at the audience ("schlong donkeys") before commanding everyone to "do the gayest thing ever and vote." Things take a turn for the surreal when he breaks into some strange slam poetry, complete with bongos, homophobia, and transphobia.

Of course, it wouldn't be a 2026 SNL cold open without an appearance from James Austin Johnson's President Trump, who's ready to deny any election results that don't go his party's way. Bleak! But at least the bongos are fun.

It's Taylor Swift season.

A little over a week after releasing The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, the singer-songwriter made an appearance on Saturday Night Live to support host Dakota Johnson. Johnson stars in the music video for Swift's latest single, Project Zero.

SEE ALSO: 'Verity' ending explainer: What should audiences believe?

In her monologue, Johnson promoted her new film Verity, while also lamenting her pattern of dating musicians. One musician who hasn't let her down? Swift, who enters the monologue just as Johnson is describing how her "really good friends" support her through her breakups.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my literal therapist," Johnson said while introducing Swift.

"I'm not your therapist, actually," Swift tells her. "You just show up once a week at my house with an empty bottle of wine and ask if I want some."

According to LateNighter, SNL faked out Swift's cameo at the episode's dress rehearsal so it would be a surprise during the actual show. Cast member Sarah Sherman reportedly played the role of Swift during Johnson's rehearsed monologue.

Swift also reappeared during the episode's goodnight to hand Johnson a birthday cake. Johnson turned 37 at midnight while hosting the show.

Google's new Live Avatar feature gives Gemini a face: a human, a cartoon, whatever a company wants. It can see you, talk to you in 97 languages, and never breaks character. Here's why those friendly, cutesy faces might be the most effective data-gathering tool yet.

Read more about Google Gemini: Google Gemini access is changing. Free users, take note.
Google's Gemini 4 Argon is the latest super-smart AI that most cannot get

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Introducing Gemini 3.8 Live with Live Avatar
0:27 How Live Avatars work and enterprise features
1:02 Hotel check-in demo
1:33 Cat advice and live video feed demo
2:16 Cartoon and character avatars
2:38 Data privacy and ethical concerns
3:32 Multilingual support and SynthID safeguards
3:54 The future of AI avatars

Video credits
Host: Iyaz Akhtar
Scripted by: Iyaz Akhtar
Producer: Iyaz Akhtar, JD Christison
Camera: John Schwartz
Video editor: JD Christison
Thumbnail designer: Cole Kan

TL;DR: Physical preorders for Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are already $10 off at Amazon. Preorder for $59.99 and get a preorder price guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Digital Download for Switch 2) $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' for Switch 2 $59.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal

We're edging closer and closer to the Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The official release date is Nov. 5, but Zelda fans are already buzzing thanks to the first-look gameplay footage.

Preorders for both the digital and physical copies are already available at Amazon. The digital version costs $59.99, while the physical edition was initially priced at $69.99 but has been reduced to $59.99 — great news for those of us who prefer to have the actual game in our hands.

There's another good reason to order from Amazon, as the retailer is offering a preorder price guarantee. That means if the preorder changes between now and when you're charged, you'll pay the lowest price point between when you order and when you receive the game.

If you're a serious Zelda fan, it's worth getting that preorder in soon.

Nintendo has revealed that the first print run of the physical edition will come with "special packaging that features textured foil cover art." That's one for the collectors, who will also love the Legend of Zelda-themed hardware coming this fall to mark the franchise's 40th anniversary. That will include a special-edition Switch 2 console, a Pro Controller, and a carrying case, all out Oct. 29.

TL;DR: Master piano from the comfort of home with this five-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App, on sale now for just $79.99 (MSRP $899) through Oct. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flowkey flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription) $79.99
$899 Save $819.01   Get Deal

You don’t have to monetize every hobby. Sometimes, side hustle culture makes it feel that way, but you’re still allowed to do things for fun. If you’re in need of a new entertaining pastime, flowkey Piano Learning App makes it easier than ever to play piano.

Right now, you can lock in a fivef-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App for just $79.99 — less than $16 a year — until Oct. 4.

Learning piano isn’t how it used to be. Gone are the days of scheduling far in advance and learning boring songs in a classroom. There’s now an app for that — and with flowkey, you don’t even have to change out of pajamas. You’ll get a year’s worth of unlimited lessons for less than an hour of in-person instruction.

All you need is a keyboard or piano and a device to get started with flowkey Piano Learning App, then choose courses that range from beginner to intermediate, advanced, and pro levels. AI-powered learning gives you real-time feedback as you practice notes and chords, as it can listen as you play.

flowkey is filled with smart features to help you learn — like a loop function that repeats tough sections until you master them and slow-motion mode that slows playback so you can take your time learning. Wait mode only allows you to progress after playing the right notes, and hand selection lets you practice your left and right hands separately.

You can watch expert pianists play as you follow along on flowkey. The interactive lessons teach you chords and music theory as you play, so you get a good foundation, with over 1,000 classical and public-domain songs, including tunes by Beethoven and Bach.

Secure your own five-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App for just $79.99 (reg. $899) through Oct. 4.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office for life on your Mac while it’s on sale for $89.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $89.97
$219 Save $129.03   Get Deal

It costs $99.99 per year to get Microsoft 365. That’s a bill you’ll never be done with. If you want the apps without the constant cost, a simpler option is to switch to a Microsoft Office lifetime license. Instead of dropping nearly $100 every year forever, you can buy this license outright on sale for $89.97 (reg. $219).

There’s no need to explain why an Office license still matters. Most people have been using Microsoft Office long before cloud apps and browser-based alternatives became the norm. With this deal, you can install the full Office suite on a single device for lifetime use at home or at work without worrying about monthly renewals, annual price hikes, or surprise charges down the line.

This license includes all the core apps most people actually rely on: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. That means drafting documents, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing email, and organizing notes using the full desktop versions of each app. Unlike free alternatives or web-based tools, you get access to the complete feature sets, which makes a difference when you’re working on longer documents, detailed spreadsheets, or presentation-heavy projects.

Once you make your purchase, your license key and download links are delivered instantly, so there’s no waiting around to get started. Microsoft also includes lifetime customer support, which can be helpful if you ever need assistance with installation or troubleshooting.

Cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription. Get a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license for Mac for $89.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is making it annual trip to London today, with the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts facing off as part of the Week 4 action.

The Commanders and Colts lost their first games, then bounced back last week. The Commanders sneaked a surprise win against Super Bowl champions the Seahawks, while the Colts beat the Texans with a field goal with just 16 seconds to go.

If you want to watch Commanders vs. Colts in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Commanders vs. Colts?

Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Commanders vs. Colts for free

Commanders vs. Colts in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Commanders vs. Colts for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 the UK

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Watch Commanders vs. Colts for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 Commanders vs. Colts without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always 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 Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new NFL season has already delivered plenty of big action and results. But one of the big talking points so far has been the performance of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who's had a pretty much perfect start to the season. Pundits are already predicting that he'll be this year's MVP. The 49ers Quest for Six has become the stuff of legend, but is this the year it actually becomes a reality?

The 49ers will now host the Denver Broncos, a team that's looking good thanks to a two-game winning streak. Can they upset the undefeated and in-form 49ers?

If you want to watch Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Broncos vs. 49ers?

Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Levi's Stadium.

How to watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free

Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, 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 Australia, meaning you can live stream Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 Broncos vs. 49ers without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always 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 Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's another Sunday stacked with NFL action, including New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills. The Bills are currently 3-0, which suggests they're the favorites against the Patriots, who have shown up-and-down form so far and are currently at 2-1.

The Patriots scored a heavy win over the Steelers in Week 2, but suffered an even heavier loss this past week to the Jaguars. But there's no such thing as a foregone conclusion in the NFL. The Bills might look dominant on paper, but they were lucky last week to come back against the Los Angeles Chargers, who had the Bills on the ropes at various points in the game. The Bills also suffered a few injuries.

If you want to watch Patriots vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Bills?

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Patriots vs. Bills for free

Patriots vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, 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 Australia, meaning you can live stream Patriots vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Patriots vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 Patriots vs. Bills without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always 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 New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Apple's budget MacBook Neo is becoming a go-to laptop for kids and early education. Social media videos show parents trekking to the Apple Store to pick one out in their child's favorite color. Meanwhile, K-12 school districts are swapping Neos for clunky old Chromebooks and Windows PCs in droves.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert, I personally endorse the MacBook Neo as a great choice for youngsters. It's affordable, well-made, powerful enough for any basic task, and small enough to fit in a backpack. The fact that it comes in fun colors doesn't hurt, either. (I'm partial to blush and citrus.)

If you recently purchased a MacBook Neo for your own kid (or any MacBook, for that matter), then you should know that Apple rolled out new child safety tools with the launch of MacOS 26 in September, including upgrades to its existing parental controls.

So, learn how to set up parental controls on a MacBook Neo.

1. Set up their Child Account Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Apple's Child Accounts are mandatory for children under age 13 and available for those up to age 18.

To create an Apple account for your kid, you have to set up Family Sharing first. Once that's done, follow these steps:

• Go to the System Settings app on the MacBook Neo

• Click your name at the top of the sidebar (make sure you're logged into your own Apple account)

• Click Family > Set Up Family. In the pop-up window, click the button that says, "Create Child Account"

You'll be asked to enter your child's name and birthday before agreeing to some terms and conditions. Apple needs their birthday to determine what kind of content they can access.

You'll then create an iCloud email address for your kid and choose a password for it.

2. Turn on Ask to Buy Credit: Apple

As soon as you create your child's Apple account, you'll be asked if you want to turn on Ask to Buy, a feature that lets them request your permission to download or buy an app.

If you don't enable this one right away at setup, you can turn it on later by going to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Ask to Buy > Require Purchase Approval.

3. Turn on Find My Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

MacOS will also ask you if you want to turn on Find My when you create your child's account. Find My is Apple's built-in device tracking service, and countless toddlers already have water bottles and shoes outfitted with AirTags. With Find My on, you can locate missing water bottles in the Find My app on the MacBook Neo or at cloud.com/find. (Alternatively, you can see the location of a lost Neo if they leave it behind at school or on the bus.)

To set up Find My later, you first need to turn on Location Services. Go to System Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services, then hit the toggle at the top of the window.

In the same System Settings app, click the account name in the top-left corner of the window. Go to iCloud > See All > Find My Mac to turn on the feature. If you see a little yellow triangle next to the green Find My icon, that means you haven't enabled Location Services yet.

4. Set screen time limits Credit: Apple

Apple's Screen Time tool lets you control when and how long your child has access to their MacBook Neo. To set a Screen Time schedule, go to System Settings > Screen Time and hit the toggle for Schedule. You can choose specific days and time windows.

You can set a four-digit passcode to make sure your child can't change their screen time limits by going to System Settings > Screen Time > Change Passcode, then verifying your identity. If your child manages to figure out the code, you can change it anytime.

5. Set Time Allowances for apps and games Credit: Apple

A new Time Allowances feature within the Screen Time tool lets you set daily limits for your child's app usage. Go to System Settings > Screen Time > Time Allowances > Manage Categories to choose how much time they can spend per app type (Entertainment, Games, and Social Media).

6. Turn on Ask to Browse Credit: Apple

Ask to Browse is another new tool that lets you manually block access to websites. (It's on by default if your child is under 13 years old.) You'll find it via System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Filtering. Your child can request your permission to visit sites that aren't on your "Approved" list.

7. Choose which contacts they can communicate with (and when) Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

You may want to let your child message or FaceTime certain friends or family members from their MacBook Neo. To do this, head to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Allowed Contacts. There, you can manage their contacts yourself or give them the option of sending you new contact requests. You can also choose who they can communicate with outside or during their Screen Time hours (i.e., you might want to make sure they can reach you anytime in case of emergencies).

8. Turn on Communication Safety Credit: Mashable screenshot

Communication Safety is an AI tool that automatically blurs inappropriate content and repeatedly warns your child before they view or send it. (As of September 2026, that includes nudity, gore, and violence.) If your child is under 13, they won't be able to view the content unless you enter your Screen Time passcode first.

Communication Safety works on Messages, Contact Posters, shared photo albums, and in certain third-party apps. You can turn it on by going to System Settings > Screen Time > [select your child's name] > Communication Safety.

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799 at Best Buy
  Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon

TL;DR: The Google Pixel 11 is free right now with T-Mobile. To claim, activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google T-Mobile: Google Pixel 11 for free   Shop Now

Apple's new iPhones have naturally dominated the headlines in recent weeks, but don't let that distract you from the fact that you can get the Google Pixel 11 for free this weekend.

For a limited time, you really can get your hands on the Google Pixel 11 for free at T-Mobile. To claim this offer, you simply need to activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans. It's that easy. There's no complicated sign-up process. No trade-in required. It's about as straightforward as these mobile carrier deals come.

The total cost of the phone is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the end of your contract, you’ll need to pay the remaining balance. You are committing to stick it out with the Google Pixel 11, but you're getting best-in-class Android hardware, so that shouldn't be an issue.

The Google Pixel 11 packs the same next-gen Tensor G6 silicon and on-device Gemini AI processing as its more premium siblings. It delivers about 90% of the flagship experience at a far more approachable starting price.

The only catch is that you need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection charge when signing up. That's always the case with these free deals, and it shouldn't stop you from securing this generous deal.

Score the new Google Pixel 11 for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Watch Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League for free on RTP. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is producing some really entertaining football. Portugal and Norway are competing in a really interesting group, with three teams tied on three points. Portugal are leading the way with three wins from three games, but Norway will pose a threat.

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

When is Portugal vs. Norway?

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at the Estádio do Dragão.

How to watch Portugal vs. Norway for free

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTP.

RTP is geo-restricted to Portugal, 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 Portugal, meaning you can live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. Norway 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 Portugal

4. Visit RTP

5. Watch Portugal vs. Norway 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 Portugal vs. Norway 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 RTP?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Portugal

• 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 Portugal vs. Norway 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

Soppy.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SOGGY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Clasp.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CLAMP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Panic.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TIZZY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Ranges.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

RADII

Final Hurdle hint

A springtime flower.

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

TULIP

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