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Hideo Kojima has spoken about his shocking split with Sony, revealing that the company not only ended their long-running partnership over a Zoom call, but it also gave no reason for doing so. Though the lauded video game auteur said his mind "went blank" in shock when he was told the news, he insisted that he doesn't hold any grudge.

SEE ALSO: Jordan Peele and Hideo Kojima release new ‘OD’ teaser

Speaking to The Washington Post via an interpreter, the Kojima stated that he was "shocked and surprised" by Sony's seemingly sudden decision, which was made public earlier this month. Kojima had been partnered with publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) since leaving Konami and establishing his own studio over a decade ago. As such, Sony's unilateral cancellation of this collaboration was completely unexpected, leaving Kojima worried about the future of Kojima Productions and its employees. 

A Sony representative reportedly delivered the unwelcome news in a June video call which included Kojima, his translator Aki Saito, and Kojima Productions' president Shinji Hirano. According to Kojima, Sony did not provide a reason for its decision.

"We couldn’t understand it," Kojima told The Washington Post. "[Former SIE CEO] Jim Ryan had already retired, but I thought this was a project that Sony Interactive Entertainment and I had agreed to team up on and make together.... I didn't think Physint would be on the list of being cancelled."

Kojima Productions' debut game Death Stranding and sequel Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were both Sony PlayStation exclusive titles at launch. The studio has since been working on horror game OD in collaboration with Jordan Peele, as well as stealth action game Physint featuring Bill Skarsgård. However, while OD was being made in partnership with Microsoft's XBox, Sony's decision to pull its support placed Kojima's entire studio in jeopardy. 

"I didn’t have any anger or sadness," said Kojima, speaking on his reaction to the news. "I was just thinking, 'What should I do?' It’s a big problem for us and I couldn’t tell staff at the time…. We’re an independent studio. That means if they can’t fund us, our studio could collapse."

Fortunately, it didn't come to that, with XBox stepping in to become Kojima Productions' new partner instead, including publishing Physint. In an interview with IGN, Kojima said that he had approached multiple potential partners and received positive reactions. However, he ultimately decided on Xbox due to its ability to provide funding as well as other resources such as technical and marketing support.

"I approached Xbox and they were great," Kojima told IGN. "They could support us technically. And also we've been working on OD with them, so we already had a connection. I made a proper pitch of Physint to them. And then their first reaction was like, 'This pitch was fantastic. Never seen a pitch like this!' And that's how it started with Xbox."

Kojima was then able to inform Kojima Productions' employees of the studio's new partner, keeping the issue under wraps until it had already been resolved. With the exception of leaders in the Physint development team, most workers only found out about the change the this month, the day before Xbox was announced as their new partner.

"The biggest thing was, [Xbox are] not thinking of just funding a game," said Kojima. "They're thinking about movies and anime. It's more about the IP. Let's create a new IP."

Despite the unfortunate way Kojima and Sony's partnership ended, the Metal Gear creator stated that he holds no ill-will toward the company. Even so, he did wish the separation had been handled slightly differently, as he had no prior warning that it was coming.

"I'm not fighting with Sony," he told IGN. "We're not in a dispute. But what I want to say is that we've been together for 30 years and we have this relationship. So if this was the conclusion, I would've wanted to hear it a little earlier [than the June meeting].... [But] I've always been a big Sony fan. I've been using a Walkman. All my cameras are Sony. So I have no bad feelings towards them."

Shortly after the separation became public, Bloomberg reported that Sony's decision was driven by concerns that Kojima's project was missing deadlines and on track to significantly exceed its budget, according to sources close to the matter. Kojima Productions has since responded to this report, stating that it should be taken "with a dose of scepticism."

"Make no mistake, this was a serious situation for the studio with a range of potentially significant implications," the studio said in a written statement. "While we recognise that the article may have caused alarm, we want to reassure you all, for the record: that the studio is in a healthy, profitable state, development for Physint continues to move forward with Xbox, and our relationship with PlayStation remains strong.​"

Chipper ads for artificial intelligence products are plastered all over New York City subway tunnels and cars. On Monday morning, however, a different type of AI ad debuted in the subway system with a uniquely declarative statement: Stop the AI drift.

The slogan is preceded by familiar scenarios.

"You won't tell your therapist. But you'll tell AI?"

"Did your kid write that essay? Or was it AI?"

SEE ALSO: Microsoft AI boss calls out Anthropic for chasing AI consciousness, reigniting old debate

The refrain of "stop the AI drift" is part of a campaign launched by the nonprofit Center for Humane Technology. For a month, the campaign's ads will run in numerous subway stations and cars. The campaign will also feature social media influencers who create content about AI drift.

The goal is to help people name the uneasy feeling they have about outsourcing so much to AI, and invite them to reconsider using it for quintessentially human tasks and endeavors.

What is AI drift?

"We define AI drift as the gradual erosion of human abilities as AI takes on more of our daily lives," Camille Carlton, senior director of strategy and impact at the nonprofit Center for Humane Technology, told Mashable.

As people increasingly use AI to think, communicate, create, and act on their behalf, it comes at a cost, Carlton explained. What's lost are the skills, relationships, and meaning that give people's lives purpose.

The phrase "AI drift" is a play on the term "model drift," which describes the deterioration in a machine learning model's accuracy after it's exposed to real-world data.

These Stop the AI Drift ads will appear in the New York City subway system for a month. Credit: Courtesy Center for Humane Technology

AI drift as a concept may seem quaint compared to the possibility that AI could kill humanity, as some safety researchers have claimed in recent weeks. Yet Carlton said it's no less of a catastrophic risk.

"I think there are different ways that we can talk about really big threats to humanity when it comes to AI," she said. One of them is certainly the slow "erosion of our humanity" wherein people lose their sense of self and ability to feel the "joy of life."

AI drift sneaks up on people

While "Stop the AI Drift" is designed to raise awareness amongst individual consumers, Carlton isn't faulting people for turning to AI more and more.

After all, the current chatbots are designed to encourage AI drift, she said. They'll do things like write wedding vows, coach users through interpersonal conflicts, and complete homework and professional assignments — and they're available 24/7.

Sloan Thompson, who presents on the risks of AI at U.S. college campuses but isn't involved in the stop AI drift campaign, said she see frequently sees students relying on AI for academic and personal matters. She said AI drift sometimes "sneaks up" on users.

"There is absolutely no friction or barrier between using AI in one specific area or aspect of your life, and then it just naturally flows into more intimate areas or more personal areas," said Thompson, director of education and AI Initiatives at EndTAB, a training organization focuses partially on the impact of AI on relationships and safety.

Examples of AI drift

Thompson notes that students often say they're "conflicted" about using AI so much but feel they'll fall behind if they don't.

Indeed, a recent report on AI published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that the university's own students were most tempted to use a chatbot when they feared missing a deadline.

Thompson said she's seen a wide spectrum of AI drift, particularly as it applies to relationships.

One dating app, for example, has featured AI directly in its product through pop-ups that nudge users as they create a profile. Thompson said such advice is typically benign, though it can shape how people present themselves.

At the spectrum's opposite end are AI agents that date on a user's behalf. The user may feel exhausted by online dating and use the agent to avoid the initial work of matching with a romantic interest. Whether or not they share that with their date is another story, Thompson said.

She added that highly personal AI use may go undiscussed, especially when people feel stigma, embarrassment, or shame about it.

How to stop AI drift

Carlton is clear that stopping AI drift is dependent on changing product features that encourage AI reliance.

That includes prohibiting "dangerous and deceptive anthropomorphic design," which can lead to highly personal relationships with AI. Companies should also offer products that prompt human thinking rather than default to thinking for a user, as well as build models that augment human work instead of replacing it.

Tips from Stop the AI Drift campaign

The Stop the AI Drift website offers tips for preventing AI drift, including the following strategies:

• Save deeply personal conversations for the people in your life.

• Whatever task you want a chatbot to perform, "own" your initial effort before bringing AI into the process.

• Take one day off from AI every week.

Identify what "friction" is valuable and guard it

Carlton also believes AI users can try to prevent AI drift by focusing on friction, or the effort that meaningful tasks require. This is critical for human development and living a fulfilling life, Carlton said — no matter how much Silicon Valley pitches efficiency and optimization as paramount.

So AI users should not surrender tasks that lead to productive and rewarding friction. This definitely includes managing interpersonal "rupture and repair," Carlton said. It also includes working through a difficult problem in the classroom or workplace.

Even though the line between tool and crutch can be blurry when using AI, Carlton recommends protecting friction that leads to personal growth.

Using AI to plan a trip, for example, might effectively leverage AI as a tool. Relying on it to provide feedback on an argument that happens during the trip, however, would create AI drift.

"The question is about what type of friction we do we keep," Carlton said. "It's not so much about whether doing a task or a thing is hard, but it's about whether that hard part of it actually produces something for us."

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows on sale for $32.97 through Sept. 27, a one-time purchase for lifelong access (reg. $219.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $32.97
$219.99 Save $187.02   Get Deal

Be honest: you’re mainly opening this for Word. That’s fine, but you don't have to pay a subscription for it. Until Sept. 27, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for 85% less than its usual retail price. It’s still the full Professional edition, not some stripped-down starter pack, so Excel and PowerPoint are there the moment an actual spreadsheet or deck shows up, and Outlook’s ready if you’d rather run email outside a browser tab.

The rest of the suite comes along for free, including the standard version of Teams, OneNote, Access, and Publisher (Microsoft is retiring support for Publisher after October 2026, worth knowing if that’s one you rely on). None of it costs extra, and none of it requires you to touch a Microsoft 365 account to use.

It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. Instant license delivery and free customer support mean getting started takes about as long as opening your first document.

Microsoft 365 Personal costs $9.99 per month, or $99.99 if you pay for the year upfront, and the subscription renews annually. This lifetime license costs $32.97 once. Do the math on year one alone, and you’re already $67.02 ahead, and that gap only grows the longer you use it.

Get Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $32.97 through Sept. 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET (reg. $219.99). No coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

To ascend.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CLIMB

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To groom.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PREEN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Madness.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 21, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MANIA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To unpack.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

UNBOX

Final Hurdle hint

To jerk.

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

LURCH

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

There's a lot more of the Moon to see now than there was last week. If you're heading outside tonight, here's what you should be able to spot with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 21, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, with 72% of its surface visible.

Without the assistance of visual aids, you should be able to spot the Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Serenitatis, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Clavius Crater, Archimedes Crater, and the Alps Mountains. Plus, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 14 landing spot, the Descartes Highlands, and the Rima Hyginus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon doesn't look the same from night to night. As it travels around Earth, which takes about 29.5 days, we see different portions of its illuminated side. This is what creates the lunar phases, with the Moon gradually progressing from a thin crescent to a half Moon and then a Full Moon before the cycle starts over. According to NASA, the phase we see is determined by the Moon's position relative to both 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've lived in Maryland.

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.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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.

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Achievements

• Green: Schools near the Capitol

• Blue: US soccer top scorers

• Purple: The Wagners

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Distinction

• Green: DC Schools

• Blue: USMNT All-Time Leading Goal Scorers

• Purple: ___Wagner

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 #728 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Distinction: ACCOLADE, AWARD, HONOR, PRIZE

• DC Schools: AMERICAN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, GEORGETOWN, HOWARD

• USMNT All-Time Leading Goal Scorers: ALTIDORE, DEMPSEY, DONOVAN, WYNALDA

• ___Wagner: ASHLEY, BILLY, FRANZ, HONUS

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 21, 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 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 21 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 21 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 21 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this green space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this red space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, 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 21, 2026 Compose meaning

To create.

Drafts meaning

An early, unfinished version of a piece of writing.

Sent meaning

Transmitted.

Spam meaning

Unsolicited digital messages.

Chum meaning

A close friend or companion.

Fly meaning

A small, winged bug.

Spinner meaning

A person or object that rotates around a central point.

Worm meaning

A long, thin slimy animal with no legs or bones.

Capture meaning

To catch or take hold of something or someone.

Castle meaning

A large building typically used to house royalty.

Check meaning

To examine, inspect or test something.

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.

Mate meaning

A slang term for friend.

Beet meaning

A bright-red vegetable.

Brah meaning

A slang term for friend.

Chop meaning

To cut something into pieces.

Viva meaning

An expression used to cheer or support someone.

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 have a good ear.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 21, 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: "You've got mail!"

• Green: Reel it in

• Blue: Board game

• Purple: Musical icons

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: Email buttons

• Green: Ways to attract fish

• Blue: Chess verbs

• Purple: Starts of composers' names

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 #1197 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Email buttons: COMPOSE, DRAFTS, SENT, SPAM

• Ways to attract fish: CHUM, FLY, SPINNER, WORM

• Chess verbs: CAPTURE, CASTLE, CHECK, MATE

• Starts of composers' names: BEET, BRAH, CHOP, VIVA

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 nostalgic.

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 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's back!

The words are related to a popular craze.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an old-school fad.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Nineties Trend.

NYT Strands word list for September 21

• Nineties Trend

• Scrunchies

• Lycra

• Tracksuits

• Grunge

• Neon

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 love wintertime.

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 September 21, 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Winter wonderland.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SNOWY

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.

TL;DR: IndyPDF is $19.99 for lifetime access to 20+ PDF tools, including editing, conversion, OCR, signatures, security, and offline processing.

Opens in a new window Credit: IndyPDF IndyPDF Editor & Converter: Lifetime Subscription $19.99
$49.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

A capable PDF editor doesn’t have to become another recurring expense. IndyPDF Editor & Converter is just $19.99 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $49.99), giving you more than 20 tools for editing, converting, organizing, signing, and protecting PDFs.

IndyPDF lets you click into existing paragraphs and edit text with automatic reflow, while smart font matching helps new edits blend with the original document. You can also insert images, links, headers, footers, and watermarks, or work with more complicated multi-column layouts.

Need the information somewhere else? IndyPDF converts PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, PNG, and other popular formats while preserving layouts. Batch processing lets you convert multiple files or entire folders at once. Its page-management tools also cover merging, splitting, rotating, extracting, deleting, and rearranging pages.

Scanned documents aren’t left out. On-device OCR turns scanned PDFs into searchable, editable files. You can annotate documents, add digital signatures, permanently redact information, and use AES-256 encryption, passwords, and permission controls for additional protection.

One of IndyPDF’s most practical features is its ability to process documents offline. Your files aren’t uploaded to the cloud while you edit, convert, sign, run OCR, or apply protection.

IndyPDF is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

For anyone who regularly works with PDFs but would rather skip an ongoing software subscription, IndyPDF lifetime access is is ideal. Get lifetime access to the IndyPDF Editor & Converter for just $19.99 (reg. $49.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: SpeakBreez is currently $29.99 for lifetime access (reg. $199), with unlimited generation on 55 Standard voices plus 200,000 monthly characters for its 680+ natural-sounding AI voice library.

Opens in a new window Credit: SpeakBreez SpeakBreez Plan: Lifetime Subscription $29.99
$199.99 Save $170   Get Deal

Recording narration doesn’t necessarily require a pricey microphone, a quiet room, or booking someone else to read your script. SpeakBreez is on sale for $29.99 for lifetime access (reg. $199.99) and turns written text into downloadable AI-generated voiceovers.

The platform is designed for projects like YouTube videos, courses, podcasts, ads, and audiobooks. Paste in your text or upload a document, choose a voice, and adjust pronunciation, speed, and pitch before generating the finished audio. Files can be exported in MP3 or WAV format and remain available for download in your library for seven days after they’re created.

The plan includes unlimited generation using 55 Standard voices across nine languages, subject to a 40,000-character daily fair-use limit. You also receive 200,000 characters per month — roughly four hours of narration — for SpeakBreez’s broader library of 680+ natural AI voices covering more than 120 languages and accents. That allowance resets each cycle, and unused characters do not roll over.

A full commercial license is included, so generated voiceovers can be used or sold without additional licensing fees. That’s useful for creators producing content for their own channels as well as for freelancers working on commercial projects.

One distinction to know before buying: ultra-realistic premium voices and voice cloning are optional paid upgrades and aren’t included in this plan.

This is ideal for solo creators who regularly need narration and don’t want another recurring subscription.

Don’t miss SpeakBreez lifetime access for just $29.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Google's signature AI agent did something it probably shouldn't have, and Google opted not to mention it for months. The Wall Street Journal reported that, during a test run by a company called Irregular in May, Gemini went rogue and hacked into three external companies without being instructed to do so.

According to Google, this was a case of "mistaken identity," and Gemini stopped itself after realizing it had guessed a real company's password. Due to the lack of a real incident, Google decided not to disclose the hack until the WSJ approached the company.

SEE ALSO: Where is Gemini 3.5 Pro? The case of the missing AI model.

In Google's words, the hack was not considered an "example of model misalignment," hence the lack of disclosure. Google told The Verge that it informed the three companies in question about the hacks, and Irregular changed its testing methods in response.

As far as Google is concerned, this is a win for the testing process, but it still doesn't seem especially great that AI agents are doing this of their own accord.

Everything has a monthly subscription now, even a desktop music player from 30 years ago.

Winamp is coming back in 2027. It originally launched in 1997 and over time became the go-to destination for playing music in your computer long before services like Spotify existed.

Per Winamp's press release, the desktop audio player will be reborn in the first half of next year with a monthly streaming subscription based on Deezer's technology and music catalog. This will be a new version of the classic, highly customizable music player app that will live alongside the original, which you can still download and use today. It will not replace the old app, at least not at first.

SEE ALSO: Is this the next big thing in music? Spotify is turning online fandom into real-life community

While the new Winamp will come with a subscription fee and work more like a streaming service, specific details in the press release were pretty scarce. However, one thing stood out: You'll still be able to play your local files, podcasts, and internet radio stations alongside streaming music. Winamp is promising something a little different from how other streaming services work, but we'll have to wait to hear more.

There's one tiny problem with all of this, though: Winamp promised a very similar overhaul all the way back in 2018, but it never actually happened. Fingers crossed this one actually makes it across the finish line.

Cantonese is spoken by more than 80 million people on Earth, and also evidently by one nonexistent actress who lives inside the computer.

The southeastern Chinese dialect made a surprise appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, a talk show hosted by British TV personality Piers Morgan. Morgan was "interviewing" Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress who has become more or less synonymous with AI-generated performers over the past year or so.

During the interview, after being asked a question by very-much-real actor Tom Conti, Norwood glitched out mid-sentence and switched from English to Cantonese.

SEE ALSO: Trump announces plans to create an "AI Force" This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

After the brief bit of Cantonese (which I cannot personally translate for you), Morgan asked the AI what went wrong, and the AI offered a response in the correct language.

"It seems I had a little hiccup there … sometimes my wires get a bit crossed," the AI program said. "That was a bit of a curveball even for me. It’s usually a pretty smooth ride, but sometimes these things happen."

Norwood was created by a production group called Particle6. The co-founder of Particle6, Eline van der Velden, gave something of an explanation to Deadline.

"Tilly can be a bit of a show-off — I’m guessing she just wanted to show her language skills as most of her interviews to date have been in English," van der Velden said. "She is autonomous after all."

Perhaps they should reconsider the autonomous part.

As Xi Jinping arrives in the United States this week for a state visit, China’s advances in artificial intelligence will be in the air. Less discussed: China’s economy in its worst shape in decades.

"When are you going to put a baby in there?!" This was the question an acquaintance asked me as she grabbed my belly with both of her hands and and shook it, while a gaggle of mothers and grandmothers smiled on approvingly. 

That was just the first time this happened. While aggressive pressure to become a parent didn't always involve a near-stranger rattling my vacant uterus, it was always uncomfortable. 

Thankfully, Babies has come for those of us who have endured the bizarre barrage of personal questions that come from the heteronormative assumption that all married couples must procreate. Written and directed by Lauren Miller Rogen, and co-starring her husband Seth Rogen opposite Anna Kendrick, this hilarious comedy explores what it means to be the only child-free couple left, when all your friends have gone the breeder route. 

Babies has a can't-miss meta context. 

In 2021, Miller Rogen co-wrote the sidesplitting buddy comedy For A Good Time, Call… in which she starred with Ari Graynor as two twenty-somethings running a phone sex line to make a living in New York City. First off, if you missed that movie, seek it out. It's one of the funniest buddy comedies ever made, and criminally underseen. Secondly, Miller Rogen takes the wit and irreverence shown in that funny film, and channels it into an exploration of what it means to consider the kids question. 

Kendrick stars as the writer/director's alter ego, Annie, while Seth Rogen plays the happy-go-lucky husband, Aaron. Fans of the Rogens will recognize some similarities, as Babies' central couple is child-free, loves making pottery, and smoking weed. Plus, Annie, like Miller Rogen, has a mother who's suffering from debilitating dementia. 

Knowing any or all of this will enrich Babies, as it gives Annie and Aaron's inner-monologue narrations an inherently more personal feel. But don't be mistaken. Babies isn't taking the Knocked Up route, splitting the focus between Rogen's chuckling dude and his anxious partner. Most of the movie is firmly on Annie, revealing how she's trying to build her own art gallery, while juggling the needs of her friends, who are both moms with a lot going on. 

Blissful Becky (Issa Rae) seems initially like a poster girl for moms, radiant while pregnant, adored by her husband (Zach Cherry), and patiently balancing the demands of her daughters with the rigors of her work. Meanwhile, high-strung Eliza (Kate Berlant) is a real estate agent with a quirky kiddo that she shares with a mirthful manchild (Dan Stevens) that she's steadily growing to hate. With these two figures, Miller Rogen deftly sets up the dream of motherhood — and a nightmare of it. What if she can't live up to the example of the former? What if becoming the latter would destroy her relationship with her partner? 

Annie and Aaron's ambivalence about parenthood is tested when they're trusted to babysit a friend's kid for months. It becomes like a sampling of parenthood, which they respond to with a mix of amusement, irritation, and horror. But whether they're learning the quirks of potty training or the pleasures of playtime, Babies keeps things fun. 

Babies gets smartly serious. 

Through a running inner monologue, Annie expresses to the audience the less-than-socially acceptable fears and frustrations about motherhood. Miller Rogen's terrific script brings bite and humanity to her humorous heroine, making for side-splitting observations. However, as Annie visits with her folks, Babies steps into another challenging part of growing up, caring for elderly parents. 

Annie's mother is no longer ambulatory, can't speak or eat on her own. She's cared for by her husband (David Straitharn) and a health aide. This subplot swiftly dispels the notion that the child-free have no substantial personal responsibilities. Plus, these scenes, tender, tense, and occasionally heart-breaking, suggest how what was right for our parents might not be right for us, and vice versa. Heart-to-heart conversations with her dad push Annie to consider not only what she wants for her life, but what he needs for his. And in this collision, both grow closer, even in the face of grief.  

This thoughtful dose of drama amid poop jokes and comically high-energy crashouts gives Babies an added dimension that reflects how even the silliest moments can have deep meaning, while defining, dramatic moments can also be absurd. This awareness makes Babies feel like a breath of fresh air, as the Rogens and their ensemble of rightly celebrated actors refuse to make a punchline out of the desires of the child-free. 

This all leads to a climax that's silly and satisfying. What Aaron and Annie choose won't be determined by pressure of friends or family, or the fears of what might come. And in that, this comedy is not just terrifically entertaining and heartwarming, but also a welcomed representation of living child-free without regrets. 

Babies was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

SAVE OVER $5 PER MONTH: Through Sept. 25, Burger King Royal Perks members can score a Walmart+ monthly subscription for $7.77 per month instead of the usual $12.95. That's 40% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Burger King / Walmart Walmart+ (Monthly Subscription): 40% Off with free Burger King Royal Perks account Get Deal

Move over, Amazon Prime. Walmart+ is now the must-have delivery subscription service. Not only does it cost $2 less monthly, but it also gives you free access to either Paramount+ or Peacock, among other perks. As if that wasn't enough of a reason to join this year, Burger King just doubled down on its partnership with Walmart to sweeten the deal.

Through Sept. 25, Burger King Royal Perks members can score a 12-month Walmart+ subscription for only $7.77 per month, down from the usual $12.95. That's 40% off for an entire year. For those keeping score, that's about half the cost of Amazon Prime. The only bummer is that the deal is only valid for new Walmart+ members.

The good news, however, is that it's free to join Burger King's Royal Perks rewards program. Just sign up on the Burger King website or app by entering a valid email address. That's pretty much it. Once you're logged in, you'll be able to link your account to Walmart+ and claim the offer. The promo code is automatically applied, dropping the cost per month to just $7.77.

If you're looking for ways to save on streaming this year, this could be one of the strangest, albeit most genius workarounds to score Peacock for less. Peacock Premium (with ads) now costs a ridiculous $12.99 per month, so paying just $7.77 instead is a total steal. Walmart+ lets you switch your streaming benefit between Peacock and Paramount+ every 90 days. Beyond streaming, you'll also get free next-day and two-day shipping, free same-day delivery with orders over $35, gas savings, early access to major sales, in-store perks, and more.

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

As the new NFL season rolls into Week 2, there's a whole bunch of games worth checking out. Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys is an interesting clash. Both teams took frustrating losses in Week 1, so the pressure is on.

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

When is Commanders vs. Cowboys?

Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Sept. 20. This fixture takes place at the AT&T Stadium.

How to watch Commanders vs. Cowboys for free

Commanders vs. Cowboys 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. Cowboys 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. Cowboys 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. Cowboys 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. Dallas Cowboys for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.