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If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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: Here's the answer hints for October 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 1 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Channel surfing

These words are where shows and movies can live.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are channel names.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Network.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 1

• History

• Hallmark

• Discovery

• Lifetime

• Network

• Paramount

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 1

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.

Google's Gemini Live is now freely available for everyone using Google's Gemini app in English, the company announced on Monday.

Originally, Gemini Live was launched at the Pixel 9 event, but was originally available only for Pixel 9 devices, and it required a Gemini advanced subscription. In September, the company started rolling it out to a subset of Android users, and now it should be available to all users.

Tweet may have been deleted

Gemini Live is a voice conversation feature for Google's smart assistant Gemini, allowing users to chat with Gemini for as long as they like. It offers a number of different voice options, and is better at handling features of actual conversations such as pauses and interruptions. It also has context retention, meaning it will remember previous interactions, making subsequent conversations more meaningful.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps is cracking down on fake business reviews

Google's Gemini app is only available for Android right now. It's not inconceivable, however, that it one day comes to Apple's iOS as well. Apple's Craig Federighi mentioned the possibility in June, saying that Gemini is "maybe" coming to iOS in the future, along with other AI models.

This review discusses eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Heartstopper, you've grown up.

A compassionate, gentle exploration of identity, mental health, and early sexual experiences, the Netflix adaptation of Alice Oseman's graphic novel feels more mature in Season 3, all while maintaining its signature sweetness. Season 2 focused on the complexities of coming out, specifically Nick's (Kit Connor) journey through understanding his bisexuality. And this season, directed by Andy Newbery, the series sees Charlie (Joe Locke) through an immensely challenging time with anorexia and his mental health.

SEE ALSO: 6 things teens say they really need for their mental health

On the teen series spectrum, Heartstopper has always felt like a younger sibling of Sex Education, a less dramatic companion of Never Have I Ever, and the polar opposite of darker teen shows like Skins or Euphoria. And this season, though the characters move further into maturity, Heartstopper maintains its tendency for tenderness through life's complicated turns. The "Paris Crew" face a lot individually this season, each grappling with the difficult task of asking for help, but ultimately finding love and support within their found family — and getting their first hangovers together.

With the cast at their best yet, Heartstopper once again proves why it's one of the top teen shows on TV.

Heartstopper Season 3 presents Charlie as more than his disorder, while showing the realities of anorexia. Joe Locke as Charlie. Credit: Samuel Dore / Netflix

Screen portrayals of eating disorders are rarely commendable on screen, with shows like Netflix's To the Bone completely missing the mark. Last year, Ripley Parker's Everything Now actually managed a miracle, approaching the realities of eating disorders (specifically anorexia), social anxiety, and body dysmorphia with respect and nuance — and an excellent performance by Talk to Me’s Sophie Wilde.

Heartstopper has been slowly and sensitively incorporating Charlie's struggle with an eating disorder since Season 1, but this season, his undiagnosed anorexia and declining mental health become overwhelming for him. As in Season 2, Heartstopper subtly and tactfully shows how difficult everyday situations can be for Charlie: a picnic with friends, a casual crisp offer at lunch, a day at the beach in swimming costumes. Locke is expertly understated and nuanced in his portrayal of Charlie's concealed pain, with Oseman's animated illustrations helping to convey his inner tension. Episode 4, one of the best episodes of the season (and of the year, in my opinion) shows Charlie's decision to ask for help and get treatment through both his and Nick's points of view in their journals. It's a sensitive insight into a very interior struggle.

Kit Connor as Nick. Credit: Samuel Dore / Netflix

At the same time, the show portrays the complexities of caring for someone you love who has an eating disorder. Connor is superb this season, conveying Nick's deep feelings for Charlie but also his deep fear over getting things wrong — there's a brilliant scene involving a conversation with Nick's kick-ass Aunt Diane (welcome series addition Hayley Atwell) about not needing to have all the answers; it should be mandatory viewing. Thankfully, the series also gives us way more time with Charlie's concerned, stoic sister Tori (Jenny Walser), Oseman's original protagonist, meaning some brilliant scenes between Locke and Walser. And through some deeply moving moments — I'm still recovering from Tao's (William Gao) film project for Charlie — we see Charlie's friends turn up for him, too.

Like Everything Now, Heartstopper shows that Charlie's recovery isn't without setbacks, especially when he returns home from treatment. His family often does say the wrong thing, and Charlie's frustration at being treated as "fragile" results in understandable anger. Importantly, Heartstopper tackles another considerable issue for people living with eating disorders: body dysmorphia and anxiety over body image, especially when it comes to sex.

Heartstopper approaches early sexual experiences with trust, respect, and curiosity. Yasmin Finney and William Gao as Elle and Tao. Credit: Samuel Dore / Netflix

Having set itself apart from other teen dramas as more sugary and PG, Heartstopper has somewhat distanced itself from conversations around sex. Season 1 was about as far away from the frank likes of Sex Education as you could get, and Season 2 only hinted at the possibility of characters taking things further. But this season, Heartstopper is all raging hormones, while maintaining the show's well-worn status as a safe, nonjudgmental, pressure-free space. It's incredibly refreshing to see insecurity in intimacy met with compassion. 

In Season 3, as in Oseman's graphic novel, the characters tentatively figure out their sexual desires and boundaries in very sweet scenes. Charlie and Nick, who left the "L" word hanging at the end of Season 2, fall headfirst into their feelings and desires this season, namely figuring out if they're ready for their first sexual experiences. While Connor and Locke thrive in realising their characters' complex inner turmoils alone, together they're dynamite romantic leads.

Like Sex Education, Heartstopper makes plain the crisis of sex education in the UK through complete classroom nonsense (yes, we're talking cucumbers and condoms). But by learning from one another with trust and respect, the Paris Crew stumbles through their first experiences with apprehension, curiosity, and patience. That is, when their parents and siblings aren't barging in on them.

The rest of the Paris Crew go through it, too. There's a lot going on for everyone this season. Credit: Samuel Dore / Netflix

Charlie and Nick aren't the only ones managing maturity and heavier things this season; Elle (Yasmin Finney) navigates gender dysphoria, Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) explores their gender identity and trying new pronouns, Tara (Corinna Brown) struggles with anxiety, Imogen (Rhea Norwood) confronts her internalised heteronormativity, and Isaac (Tobie Donovan) combats loneliness among his coupled-up friends while further exploring his asexuality.

Finney is a particular highlight this season, with Elle's sense of identity really tested publicly and privately. When Elle unpacks her gender dysphoria being triggered with Tao, the conversation is comfortable and respectful. But when she's lambasted on a community radio show with anti-trans rhetoric, Elle's sense of herself is rattled, and Finney gives her best performance yet. "It feels like the whole world is against me," she tells Tao, and it's not out of place, with trans young people continuing to face abuse, harassment, and discrimination on a daily basis in the UK.

Ultimately, Heartstopper shifts into more grown-up territory this season, to moving and enlightening effect. And the show manages to do so while maintaining the sense of curiosity and compassion that makes Oseman's comics so relatable and enduring. With the cast at their very best yet, it's another superb season for Heartstopper, one we're delighted to say "hi" again to. 

Heartstopper Season 3 is streaming on Netflix Oct. 4.

If you feel like you'd like to talk to someone about your eating behavior, in the U.S. you can call the National Eating Disorder Association's helpline at 800-931-2237. You can also text "NEDA" to 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line or visit the nonprofit's website for more information.

In the UK, you can contact Beat through webchat, email, or phone — England (0808 801 0677), Scotland (0808 801 0432), Wales (0808 801 0433) Northern Ireland (0808 801 0434). The helplines are open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m, Monday to Friday.

Prime Video has released the trailer for "Like a Dragon: Yakuza," based on SEGA's popular Japanese gangster video game series.

TL;DR: Find a job with LoopCV Premium, a job application automation tool on sale now for just £29.15 (reg. £477.66) for a lifetime membership. 

Navigating the job market can be overwhelming, especially when you're juggling multiple applications, keeping track of responses, and trying to tailor each submission to stand out. It’s a process that can quickly become exhausting, often feeling like a full-time job itself. For job seekers looking to streamline their efforts and increase their chances of landing interviews, having a tool that automates and manages this process can be a game-changer.

That's why tools like LoopCV are so useful. With Loop, you get an easy way to automate your applications and simplify tracking, and you can use it for quite a few job searches because it's only £29.15 for life. 

Will this help me get a job?

Nothing can guarantee you a job. What LoopCV does help with is everything leading up to the interview. This simple app lets you upload your CVs, select your desired job roles and locations, and let the platform automatically apply to job listings across 30+ job boards. You can also manually review and apply to job matches with a single click if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

The software takes care of repetitive tasks like filling out application forms and emailing recruiters, using customisable templates or your own tailored messages. 

LoopCV also offers robust tracking and analytics features that provide insights into your job search performance. You can view detailed statistics on how many companies opened your emails, which CVs received the most attention, and the response rates from recruiters. This allows you to refine your strategy, optimise your CV with A/B testing, and focus on the opportunities that matter most. With the ability to connect to over 30 job platforms, including LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster Jobs, LoopCV seriously broadens your reach. 

Modern job hunting tools for modern jobs

The days of pounding the pavement are gone. Now, you can use advanced tools to automate your job hunt. 

Get a Lifetime Subscription to LoopCV for £29.15 (reg. £477.66) for a limited time at the Mashable Shop. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: LoopCV LoopCV Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription £29.15 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Live stream Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back with another batch of top-quality games between Europe's best sides. There are a number of really interesting matchups in the second round of fixtures, including Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan.

Bayer Leverkusen started this year's competition with a comfortable win, but AC Milan will be a tough test for the German champions. AC Milan lost to Liverpool in the first round of fixtures, but will believe they can bounce back and secure their first points of the campaign.

If you want to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan?

Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the BayArena.

How to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan for free

Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan is available to live stream for free on Tabii.

Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan on Tabii by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Sign in to Tabii

5. Watch Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live football is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tabii?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Turkey

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream RB Salzburg vs. Brest in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of Champions League fixtures produced some really entertaining games, and we're expecting more of the same in the second round. There are probably bigger games than RB Salzburg vs. Brest, but don't let that fool you into thinking this isn't going to be an exciting matchup.

Brest are looking for their second win of the competition after beating Sturm Graz in their first group game. Will RB Salzburg provide a tougher challenge? Or can Brest beat another Austrian side?

If you want to watch RB Salzburg vs. Brest in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is RB Salzburg vs. Brest?

RB Salzburg vs. Brest in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Red Bull Arena.

How to watch RB Salzburg vs. Brest for free

RB Salzburg vs. Brest is available to live stream for free on Tabii.

Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream RB Salzburg vs. Brest on Tabii by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Sign in to Tabii

5. Watch RB Salzburg vs. Brest for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream RB Salzburg vs. Brest (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live football is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tabii?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Turkey

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream RB Salzburg vs. Brest in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock your favorite porn sites with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites like Xnxx is ExpressVPN.

Your access to your favorite porn sites is not guaranteed. There are many locations around the world that will restrict your access to porn sites, and that's probably for the best. That being said, there is a time and a place for everything. And when the time is right to visit a porn site, you'll want to be able to secure access without delay.

If you want to bypass online restrictions to unblock porn sites from anywhere in the world, you should consider using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your digital location to unlock the best of the web.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This simple process means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

Follow these simple steps to unblock porn sites:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Xnxx

4. Watch Xnxx videos from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when traveling or temporarily away from home.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free porn sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League has a new look this season, and the result is more games between Europe's biggest club sides. We weren't initially convinced by the new format, but we do enjoy seeing the likes of Arsenal and PSG battling it out. That's what the Champions League is all about.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. PSG?

Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. PSG for free

Arsenal vs. PSG is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Arsenal vs. PSG (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the UK will need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Arsenal vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Arsenal vs. PSG on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

After the chaos of today's Verizon outage, many people probably want to just go home, collapse on the couch, and boot up their PlayStation. Unfortunately, it looks as though a second outage may throw a wrench in those plans, with reports pouring in that the PlayStation Network has gone down as well.

SEE ALSO: Verizon outage has now been fixed

According to crowdsourced tracker DownDetector, reports of a PlayStation Network outage began coming in at approximately 8:30 p.m. EDT / 5:30 p.m. PDT. This was around an hour after Verizon announced that its own massive outage had been fixed. The issue also appears to be global, with outage reports coming in from across the globe.

PlayStation's Network Service Status page has confirmed the outage, stating that "some services are experiencing issues." Such issues may include difficulty signing into your PlayStation account, launching games, accessing PlayStation Video content, or making purchases in the PlayStation Store. So pretty much anything you might have wanted to do on your PlayStation.

Credit: Screenshot: Mashable

A disruption to the PlayStation Network is of course not as impactful as a seven-hour outage from one of the largest telecommunications companies in the U.S. Even so, it's an ironic and unwelcome end to an already stressful Monday for many. 

Though PlayStation has not yet acknowledged the disruption on its official social media accounts, numerous people have expressed their frustration online.

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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 1'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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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's The Mini crossword answers for October 1 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Connects to the internet.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one reoccurring letter.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

MODEM.

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.

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.

The “Oppenheimer” star makes his Broadway debut in Ayad Akhtar’s timely new play about a literary lion who gets assistance from A.I.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 October 1'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 1 What is Connections?

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

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for October 1 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: In a state of agitated confusion

• Green: Getting in peak form

• Blue: Water but make it dangerous

• Purple: Machine wash

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Flustered State

• Green: Fitness

• Blue: Fast-Moving Water

• Purple: Dishwasher Cycles

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 #478 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Flustered State: LATHER, STEW, SWEAT, TIZZY

• Fitness: CONDITION, FORM, HEALTH, SHAPE

• Fast-Moving Water: CASCADE, CURRENT, RAPID, WAVE

• Dishwasher Cycles: NORMAL, QUICK, RINSE, SANITIZE

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

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.

Check out our live blog coverage on the Verizon outage for more up-to-date details on the major cellular network issue.

The massive Verizon outage is apparently over, with the telecommunications giant finally announcing that services have been fully restored.

"Verizon engineers have fully restored today's network disruption that impacted some customers," Verizon wrote in a post on X. "Service has returned to normal levels. If you are still having issues, we recommend restarting your device."

It still isn't clear exactly what caused Monday's outage. Considering how secretive telecom companies are about such disruptions, we may never find out. Verizon's services were down across the country for hours, preventing people from making calls, sending texts, or using their mobile data for much of the day.

"We know how much people rely on Verizon and apologize for any inconvenience," wrote Verizon. "We appreciate your patience."

Tweet may have been deleted

The news of service restoration came approximately seven hours after Verizon first acknowledged the issue, which impacted customers across most of the U.S. According to crowdsourced tracker Down Detector, nobody in North Dakota, South Dakota, nor Wyoming reported being impacted by the Verizon outage. These states were unfortunately in the minority, with many more suffering disruption.

Despite Verizon's statement, some on social media claim that their service has still not been restored even though they restarted their phone as recommended. It seems some customers will have to continue being patient for a little longer.

The Silicon Valley company would be among the first A.I. companies to go public since the release of ChatGPT nearly two years ago.

Check out our live blog coverage on the Verizon outage for more up-to-date details on the major cellular network issue.

It sounds like Verizon's enormous service outage on Monday might be nearing its end.

The company took to X (formerly Twitter) to share an update late Monday afternoon. According to the post, cell service "has started to be restored" and the company apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the outage.

There were millions of outage reports submitted to DownDetector alone, so this affected a whole lot of people around the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Massive Verizon outage: Customers nationwide left without service, phones in 'SOS mode' Tweet may have been deleted

I can confirm that the outage was real, personally. My phone lost service around noon ET and didn't get it back until after 5 p.m.

Wi-Fi still worked that whole time, but if I wasn't near a router, I couldn't access data of any kind unless I used the iPhone's SOS feature. That requires a clear view of the sky and I live in a city full of very tall buildings, so that wasn't the best solution.

But according to Verizon, outage issues should be over soon.

No matter how big or small your business, building (or updating) your website and branding is one of the most important things you’ll do as an entrepreneur. Finding a platform that supports you is the key to making the process more fun than frightful — especially in the early stages.

Squarespace recently announced a suite of tools designed to do just that. They take the complexity out of creating and amplifying your website, helping you jumpstart your business. Here are just a few reasons to try it out. 

Credit: Squarespace Opens in a new window Credit: Squarespace Squarespace Refresh Explore Design Intelligence by Squarespace, plus other new releases Learn More Use AI to build and unify your brand 

One of the things AI is particularly good at is getting you past that dreaded blank-page moment. Squarespace Blueprint AI is the perfect example of that — it can transform basic information about you and your brand into a fully bespoke website you can easily edit or add to.

Consistency is key to building a brand, so Squarespace's new approach to web design — aptly titled Design Intelligence — uses your brand attributes to generate a cohesive, unified online presence in just a few steps. Plus, their AI writer can use your brand voice to generate on-brand copy across placements like SEO site descriptions, video descriptions, and even client documents.  

Market your brand like a pro

You’ll want to get that fresh website out there fast. 

Squarespace makes it easy with two tools. First up is the Marketing Automation Builder, which helps you create and trigger emails based on audience actions and the rules you set. This ensures your content and brand stay top of mind at the right moments, helping you scale more effectively.

The other tool is Bio Sites, which centralizes your content, store, and more within one link in bio, to easily share your world with your followers. To seamlessly match your website and brand, you can now customize header layouts, link layouts, colors, and fonts.

Make bank, any way you like

Creators can also now monetize content using Squarespace’s monetized blog and video paywall features. Consultants and coaches can use Acuity Scheduling to make bookings for customers, then create professional, on-brand invoices that can be scheduled to be sent at the right time, all without leaving Squarespace. 

Plus, with ACH direct debit, mobile wallets, and Klarna, Squarespace Payments can be used with the tools above or by setting up your e-commerce payment portal. You can track upcoming payments and payouts from the Squarespace App on iOS or Android. 

Squarespace Refresh is a new era for entrepreneurs. Start building your website today. 

What is Emergency SOS on iPhone? It's a feature that could save your life.

Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro works in partnership with Globalstar satellite communications company to use satellite connectivity to put people in touch with local emergency dispatch centers if there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

If you're in an emergency, your iPhone can ping one of Globalstar's 24 low-orbit satellites. The satellite will then send the information to one of its ground stations, which routes the call to a local dispatch center or relay center if the dispatch center is unable to receive 911 text messages. These relay centers consist of third-party and Apple-employed specialists who are trained in emergency protocol to communicate with dispatchers and relay the information back and forth.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 8 is all about saving you from mortal peril

Testing this feature out is a bit of a catch-22. Apple hopes you're never in an emergency where you have to use it, and it really doesn't want you testing it out when you're not in an emergency. Did you know prank calling 911, which is essentially what you'd be doing, is a felony? (Yeah, Apple doesn't want you doing that.) That said, the best time to learn how to use Emergency SOS via satellite is when you're not in an actual emergency. When facing mortal peril, the last thing you need to deal with is scrolling through your settings to find the feature. So Apple has developed a demo mode for users to test it out in a non-emergency situation.

Mashable was able to demo the feature in a controlled environment. Here's how it works.

Emergency SOS on iPhone: How to use it

You'll find this feature when you call, text, or use Siri or Crash Detection to contact 911 in an area where there's no cellular service or Wi-Fi. It can also be activated via Fall Detection with Apple Watch if you have it set up to route emergency services through your iPhone.

Emergency SOS via satellite is prepared to activate when the SOS icon appears at the top right-hand corner of the screen, which indicates there's no cellular/Wi-Fi connectivity and satellite service is available. A combination of hardware and software components power the feature, which is why it's only available on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models.

You activate the feature by dialing 911. When the call doesn't go through because there's no connection, the green circular icon at the bottom right of the screen will read, "Emergency text via Satellite." Tap this icon to activate the feature. It's important to note that because the feature is messaging a satellite, there is going to be a latency. Apple says it takes about 15 seconds for a message to be sent and could take up to a minute if you're under some trees with foliage.

Access the feature when you try to dial 911 in an area without cellular connectivity. Credit: Apple A close-up of how to activate Emergency SOS via satellite. Credit: Apple Report emergency

The next screen gives you information about using the feature: You need to be outside to get satellite connectivity, messages will take longer to send, and you'll need to answer questions to get a faster response. At the bottom of the screen, tap "Report Emergency" to start communicating with emergency services. As of this moment, emergency services is notified.

Now it's time to describe your emergency. Credit: Apple Provide details about the emergency

Next, the feature will ask you a series of questions to gather information about the nature of the emergency. Remember: If you are unable to fill out the report, as long as you have made it to this step, emergency services will be notified regardless. For the purpose of the demo, it helped to come up with a specific emergency situation, so I imagined I had broken my leg while hiking in a remote mountain range. (For the record, I am not trying to manifest that energy.) The report asks you to specify from a list of common emergency scenarios which best applies.

Hopefully, I didn't manifest a broken leg. Credit: Apple

The next screen asked for more details about my imaginary accident, like "who needs help?" and "how are you breathing?" and "what best describes the emergency?" I specified that I was the one injured, didn't have any trouble breathing, and chose "traumatic injury" from the list of options.

Asking for me or a friend? Credit: Apple Just a little more detail needed. Credit: Apple

The final step in the emergency report was the option to notify emergency contacts. This uses a pre-existing feature called Medical ID that notifies designated people in the event of an emergency and emergency services if you have any medical conditions, allergies, or take medication. Theoretically, I would have filled this out before my doomed excursion, and my emergency contact would be alerted of my traumatic injury. Your emergency contacts will also have access to a text conversation between you and emergency services, so that they can follow the dialogue in real time (although they can't reply in the chat).

You need to have already filled out your Medical ID for this feature to work. Credit: Apple Your emergency contacts can follow you in real time. Credit: Apple Texting with emergency services via satellite

Once all of the details of the emergency were sent, which included my medical information and location, a new conversation was created with the relay center responding to my request. A status bar at the top of the screen showed that the iPhone was still connected and reminded me to keep pointing the phone in the same direction to remain connected. After about 30 seconds, I received a text from the relay center asking me to describe my location and if I had any medication with me (because the Medical ID had been filled out to say I took medication).

SEE ALSO: Crash Detection on Apple's iPhone 14 can be triggered by rollercoasters Sending and receiving texts via satellite can take between 15 and 60 seconds. Credit: Apple

After answering these questions, I received a text saying local responders had been notified. This is when you wait and hope help is on the way. You can also stay connected to the relay center, but that's a personal preference.

The text will notify you when help is on the way. Credit: Apple Demo mode

If you want to be extra prepared, you can test the feature for yourself in demo mode. Access this by going to Settings, then Emergency SOS, and tapping Try Demo. The demo will temporarily disable your cellular connection and connect to a real satellite to walk you through the feature. This is so you can get a realistic sense of where to position your phone and understand the latency time to send and receive messages via satellite. It's also a good way to know what questions to expect if the unthinkable happens.

Demo mode allows you to test it out so you can know what to expect. Credit: Apple It's a useful way to understand the latency and emergency questionnaire. Credit: Apple Takeaways

Between Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS via satellite, Apple is really concerned about its users' safety. Would I feel better knowing that I have this feature at my fingertips on a hike or even driving through a dead zone in a remote area? Absolutely. It increases the likelihood that I'll be able to get help.

That said, it's a lengthy process that requires me to complete a lot of steps in order to get the help I need. It follows a similar emergency protocol conversation that a 911 dispatcher is trained to follow, so it isn't much different than that, but something about tapping and texting in a crisis feels like more of an obstacle to overcome — especially if I'm physically incapacitated.

It's a lengthy process that requires me to complete a lot of steps in order to get the help I need.

There's also the privacy issue: Apple says your messages are sent to the satellite in an encrypted form and then decrypted by Apple to send to the emergency dispatcher. It also says your messages may be saved by emergency services and relay centers "to improve their services." It's not unlike the privacy risk of a typical 911 call, which is considered public record (access to such records depends by state). Still, before using this feature, you need to consider the fact that your information could be retained.

It's something to keep in mind, but even for a privacy advocate, it's an exception you might be willing to make in an emergency.

The one and only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election airs Tuesday evening, with a Midwest battle brewing. Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will contend with Republican Ohio Senator and Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance at the CBS News-hosted debate.

What time is the presidential debate?

The 90-minute debate, taking place at New York City’s CBS Broadcast Center, begins at 9 p.m. ET, with two four-minute breaks. CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell will moderate, along with Face the Nation host and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.

Where can I stream the Walz-Vance debate?CBSNews.com & the CBS News app

Viewers can also stream anywhere CBS News 24/7 is available, including Paramount+ and YouTube. Debate coverage on CBS News 24/7 begins at 4 p.m. ET, yes, five hours before the debate begins. Additionally, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, Fox News, and ABC News will air the VP debate on their cable channels and streaming is available via their websites, apps, and sister networks like Peacock (NBC) and Hulu (ABC).

Like the presidential matchup three weeks ago, there will be no audience at the VP debate. Also similar to the Harris/Trump affair, Walz and Vance will be denied pre-written notes and will be standing at podiums — a marked change from the seats and tables featured in VP debates since 2008. 

What sets this debate apart from the Trump/Harris precursor is that there will be no live fact-checking of the candidates by O’Donnell or Brennan. CBS News recently informed the Associated Press that it “will be up to the politicians — not the moderators — to check the facts of their opponents.” During the ABC News-hosted presidential candidate debate on Sept. 10, journalists David Muir and Linsey Davis were able to rebut lies, mostly from Trump, including his false claim that Haitian immigrants were eating Americans’ pets. While not perfect, the ABC debate was given high marks for professionalism and a lack of chaos that usually surrounds Trump-related events. 

Fact-checking will be available to debate viewers watching via CBSNews.com, where 20 journalists will correct lies and exaggerations in real time; those watching live on CBS will have the option of scanning a QR code directing them to the website. The passive fact-checking is not everyone’s favorite, as it could allow some misinformation to devolve into a he said/he said situation. Also, many viewers may be watching via cable and likely have no interest in running up to their TV screen and scanning a code on their smartphone.

Tweet may have been deleted

Wondering how to use Wi-Fi calling?

Wi-Fi Calling is a feature on the iPhone that enables users experiencing reception problems to have a stronger call connection over broadband via Wi-Fi. The connection is generally encrypted, which is reassuring for those relying on shared Wi-Fi.

Many users may not even realize they have the power to improve their call quality. Before we proceed, make sure that you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network as Wi-Fi calling isn't possible without one. 

Here’s a quick step-by-step to show you where the Wi-Fi calling tab is located and how to turn it on. 

How to turn on Wi-Fi calling on iPhone

You can turn on Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone in just a few steps.

1. Tap 'Settings' on your home screen  Credit: screenshot from an Apple iPhone

Very simple. Find the "Settings" icon on your home page and click it. 

2. Select 'Phone'  Credit: screenshot from an Apple iPhone

It should have a green icon next to it right under "Voice Memos." 

3. Tap 'Wi-Fi Calling' Credit: screenshot from an Apple iPhone

You can’t miss it. 

4. Toggle 'Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone' on

The next screen will give you the option to toggle "Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone" on. Once you do, you'll get a pop-up asking if you'd like to enable Wi-Fi calling. Tap "Enable."

Credit: screenshot from an Apple iPhone

Now, you’ve enabled Wi-Fi Calling. You also can toggle this feature off. 

How to turn on Wi-Fi calling on Android

Oh, don’t worry Android users. We got you, too. 

1. Tap your Settings tab on the home screen  Credit: Screenshot from a Samsung phone

Easy so far, right? 

2. Find 'Connections'  Credit: Screenshot from a Samsung phone

Not much scrolling will be needed because it should be the first title you see on the setting screen. Tap that.

3. Select 'Wi-Fi Calling' Credit: Screenshot from a Samsung phone

It should be located right under ‘WiFi’. From there, you can toggle the option on or off. 

Keep in mind that having Wi-Fi calling on can drain your battery, so use this feature at your own discretion. Maybe make sure you have a portable charger on hand in case you find your phone's battery percentage is decreasing. 

Also, if you’re concerned about Wi-Fi calling accounting to your current phone plan, check with your carrier to see if it will count towards your minutes. Wi-Fi calling does not use up your mobile data.

Enjoy better quality phone calls moving forward.