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The value of X (formerly Twitter) continues to circle the toilet at an impressive rate.

The social media platform is now worth 79 percent less than what it was worth when Elon Musk purchased it, according to analysis by investor Fidelity.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X is losing users in the U.S., UK, and EU. X's own data proves it.

The financial platform should know what it's talking about, too, because it helped Musk acquire X back in 2022 and owns a stake in the company. Fidelity's initial investment, per TechCrunch, was $19.66 million. Fidelity's latest financial report, meanwhile, lists the value of its X stake as $4,185,614.

That's a yikes-inducing decrease of around 79 percent.

In fairness, the writing has been on the wall for a while. In January 2024 Fidelity already valued its stake in X at 71.5 percent less, and recent documents made it clear just how much X's revenue has plummeted. Meanwhile, a new report has suggested that advertisers — who were already fleeing Musk's platform en masse — are planning to spend even less on X in 2025.

Elsewhere Brazil is battling the platform, and the number of X users in the U.S. and the UK is decreasing.

Not looking great, is it?

Apple's smart home products are about to become a lot more futuristic.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who detailed the company's plans for the smart home market over the weekend. Apple is reportedly working on a new operating system called homeOS, as well as two smart displays.

The more advanced of these will have a robotic limb, Gurman claims, and a large, "iPad-like" display. It might cost $1,000 or more, and it probably won't be ready very soon.

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly backs out of OpenAI funding round

But Apple is also reportedly working on a cheaper smart home display, which won't have the robotic arm, and will be intended mainly for controlling home appliances and using FaceTime. That one might arrive as early as 2025.

Ultimately, the cheaper display might be a sort of a companion to the more advanced device, though details on how this could work are scarce.

Of course, these devices will run Apple Intelligence, as Apple's idea is to bring AI features into the home. Apple's current lineup of smart home devices, such as HomePod and Apple TV, does not pack the necessary hardware to run AI.

Apple recently launched its new flagship smartphones, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, with a strong emphasis on Apple Intelligence features. However, those features are mostly delayed while Apple irons out the kinks, and works out how they'll work in Europe and China, countries which have more stringent AI rules than the U.S.

As far as homeOS goes, it will reportedly be based on the already existing tvOS, and the two operating system will ultimately be merged to become the operating system that powers all of Apple's smart home devices.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, September 30, 2024:

AcrossWhat Jacuzzis, airports and the N.F.L. all have in common

• The answer is Jets.

Film franchise featuring Facehuggers

• The answer is Alien.

Use a loom

• The answer is Weave.

Threaded fastener

• The answer is Screw.

Gets kissed by the sun

• The answer is Tans.

DownFilm that was the highest-grossing of all time before "Star Wars" was released

• The answer is Jaws.

Vote into office

• The answer is Elect.

Headwear at a pageant

• The answer is Tiara.

Number used to spell "L" on a calculator

• The answer is Seven.

"I want the ___, not the weather"

• The answer is News.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

TL;DR: Learn to make games in the Ultimate Unity Game Development Bundle for $24.99 (reg. $1,000) in this 5-course online learning bundle. 

Game development has grown into a dynamic and accessible field, making it easier than ever to create your own projects, whether for personal satisfaction or to build a career. One of the best tools to learn if you're diving into this space is Unity, a popular game development engine known for its wide range of capabilities.

Whether you’re creating simple 2D games or more complex 3D environments, Unity has the flexibility to support both, making it a go-to platform for developers at all levels, and you can learn to use it when you study the Ultimate Unity Game Development Bundle. The game development courses in this bundle are designed to take you through each step of the process, and it's only $24.99 to get all 48 hours of course materials for life.

What will you learn?

In the Ultimate Guide to 2D Mobile Game Development, you’ll learn how to set up your first project, navigate Unity’s interface, and work with the various tools you’ll need to build your game’s environment. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can explore mechanics like coding movement, designing levels, and integrating assets into your game world. The lessons are hands-on, so you'll be working on actual game projects instead of just studying theory.

The bundle also includes The Unity C# Survival Guide, where you dive into C#, the key programming language behind Unity. This course breaks down how to script character movements, manage physics, and create dynamic interactions within your game. You’ll also cover essential techniques for optimizing performance, ensuring that your games run smoothly across various platforms.

It’s not all about the technical side either. This bundle also shows you how to craft engaging gameplay, balance difficulty levels, and create experiences that keep players hooked. Plus, it even walks you through the entire process of getting your game ready for platforms like the App Store or Google Play, giving you insight into everything from prototyping to publishing.

Study game design for fun

Learning game design can be as fun as playing the games you're building. 

Get the 5-course Ultimate Unity Game Development Course Bundle while it's on sale for $24.99 (reg. $1,000). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jonathan Weinberger The Ultimate Unity Game Development Bundle $24.99 at the Mashable Shop
$1,000.00 Save $975.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a near-mint refurbished iPad Pro on sale for $399.99 (reg. $799). 

Traveling as a family can be filled with great memories, but keeping everyone entertained and organized during long trips is key to a smooth journey. Whether you're managing your kids' screen time, capturing family moments, or keeping important travel details at your fingertips, having a reliable device that does it all is a must.

This 12.9-inch iPad Pro is great for families on the move, offering a balance of power, convenience, and entertainment at a super affordable price: just $399.99 (instead of the usual $799).

What can this iPad do?

Powered by Apple’s A12X Bionic chip, this iPad can handle multiple demanding tasks at once, making it great for switching between different apps without any slowdowns. For instance, parents can stream movies or TV shows for the kids while using a travel itinerary app, ensuring you’re never out of the loop with your plans. Its ability to handle high-performance apps like Netflix, educational games, or interactive storybooks means you can keep children entertained, too.

The iPad’s 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display is large enough to enjoy a full family movie or play engaging multiplayer games, all in stunning clarity. With its P3 wide color gamut and True Tone technology, the display adjusts to lighting conditions around you, ensuring that whether you're indoors, outdoors, or on the move, the visuals remain sharp and vivid. Kids can enjoy watching their favorite shows, while parents might use the same iPad to check on flight details, browse the web, or read an e-book without compromising performance.

What’s more, the iPad Pro’s 4K video recording allows families to document their entire trip. Whether you're visiting a national park, theme park, or exploring a new city, you can capture videos in ultra-high definition, giving you a portable tool for making and editing family videos on the fly. 

Battery life is always a concern on long trips, but with the iPad Pro's long-lasting battery, you can rely on it to keep running throughout the day, powering everything from games and media to maps and travel guides. And despite this model being from 2018, it's been refurbished to Grade A standards in near-mint condition. 

Save 49% on a 12.9-inch Apple tablet and get a refurbished iPad Pro for $399.99 (reg. $799). 

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd Gen Refurbished (2018, 64GB, Space Gray) $399.99 at the Mashable Shop
$799.00 Save $399.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Avoid roaming charges while travelling with an aloSIM lifetime mobile data plan on sale for $34.99. 

When traveling internationally, avoiding expensive roaming fees can be tricky, and traditional SIM cards often become inconvenient, especially when moving between different countries. That's why you use an eSIM like aloSIM as a digital alternative, eliminating the need for physical SIM swaps while allowing you to connect to data networks seamlessly across regions. Plus, it's only $34.99 to get aloSIM for life, and it even comes with a $50 credit for mobile data plans. 

So, how does aloSIM's eSIM work? Once you’ve purchased a data package from aloSIM, the eSIM is activated digitally on your phone. There’s no need to wait for a physical SIM card to arrive. Through a simple setup, you download the eSIM profile directly to your device via a QR code or by manually entering the necessary details.

This eSIM profile acts like a local SIM, letting you access mobile data in over 175 countries without paying for international roaming. Unlike standard SIM cards that need to be physically inserted and removed for each country, an eSIM allows you to switch between regions effortlessly. You can even have multiple eSIM profiles stored on your phone, though only one can be active at a time.

One key feature of aloSIM’s service is its flexibility in adding data whenever needed. Let’s say you’re visiting a country and your initial data allocation runs out—there’s no need to worry. You can log into your aloSIM account via the app or website and top up your data package instantly. You don’t need to visit a local store or insert a new card; everything happens digitally. Data packages are prepaid, meaning there are no surprise charges at the end of your trip. You only pay for the data you need, which is calculated based on the country you're in, and prices start at $4.50 for a 7-day package. That's what the $50 credit is for, and it can take you pretty far. 

No more travel charges

You can roam, but make sure your phone feels right at home. 

Get an aloSIM Traveler's Mobiele Data Plan for $34.99 (reg. $50). 

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click aloSIM Traveler's Mobile Data Plan: Pay $34.99 for $50 Credit $34.99
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TL;DR: Get the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite for three months for just $75 (reg. $179.97). 

Opens in a new window Credit: SoftwareDiscount Adobe Creative Cloud — 3-Month Subscription $75.00
$179.97 Save $104.97 Get Deal

Creativity isn't bound by tools, but the right software can make all the difference in bringing your ideas to life. Whether you’re designing graphics, editing photos, or creating professional-grade videos, having a versatile set of digital tools is crucial for turning concepts into polished projects.

The Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is a comprehensive set of tools that allows users to work across various creative fields — from graphic design and photography to video editing and web development — and it's only $75 to get the whole bundle for three months. Here's what's included. 

What comes in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Once you subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, you gain immediate access to more than 20 applications through your Adobe account. That includes popular apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, and each one can be accessed directly from your desktop, while cloud-based features help keep your software up to date.

All the apps are part of the same ecosystem, meaning files can easily be shared or transitioned from one app to another. For example, you might design an illustration in Illustrator and then import that vector graphic directly into After Effects for animation.

What makes Adobe Creative Cloud particularly versatile is its ability to sync across multiple devices. For instance, you could start editing a project on your desktop and then continue working on it on your tablet, picking up right where you left off.

The Creative Cloud platform provides 100GB of storage, enabling you to store large files like high-resolution images or video projects in the cloud rather than taking up space on your hard drive. This storage solution also helps with collaboration, allowing team members to access and edit files in real time from different locations.

Not a design pro? No problem. Adobe's apps are designed with both beginners and professionals in mind. Each application includes detailed tutorials within the software, so you can learn how to use specific tools, features, or even entire workflows as you go. Whether you’re an amateur looking to edit your first video or a seasoned designer working on complex layouts, the apps offer flexibility to scale your skill level. 

Get an Adobe Creative Cloud 3-Month Subscription for $75. 

StackSocial prices subject to change

Music lovers are having a turbulent time online right now. Not only did Spotify suffer an outage on Sunday (though it was quickly fixed), YouTube has also suddenly stopped serving many popular tunes. Unfortunately, it seems as though this issue won't be rectified as easily.

YouTube users in the U.S. received an unwelcome surprise this weekend, with the video streaming platform suddenly blocking a significant swathe of music. Numerous videos are now unavailable, replaced by a black screen and dour notification where they had previously been readily accessible.

"This video contains content from SESAC," reads YouTube's notice. "It is not available in your country."

SEE ALSO: TikTok Music is finally shutting down

SESAC is a music licensing organisation which handles the performance rights and royalties of thousands of artists. Though initially founded as the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, SESAC has since branched out to represent many non-European artists. 

Unfortunately, the licensing agreement between YouTube and SESAC is nearing its end, and the two have struggled to agree on a new deal. Without an agreement in place, YouTube will no longer be able to host songs covered by SESAC. 

"Over the last few months, our teams have been working hard to renew our agreement with SESAC," wrote the official TeamYouTube account. "Unfortunately, despite best efforts, we haven't been able to reach an agreement on terms for a new deal yet. For this reason, we need to block certain music content on YouTube in the US."

A wide variety of music has been impacted by the block, from Adele's "Rolling in the Deep,"  "Problem" by Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, and Green Day's "American Idiot", to iconic tunes such as R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan. 

Official videos aren't the only ones affected either. All videos which use SESAC-licensed audio are no longer accessible, taking out fan-edited music videos alongside ones from the artists themselves. Covers are being blocked as well, so you won't even be able to enjoy KIDZ BOP's rendition of "Wake Me Up When September Ends." 

It isn't clear when this issue might be resolved. TeamYouTube has stated that while discussions with SESAC are ongoing, they "don't have any exact dates for future updates yet," However, a source speaking to Variety has claimed that YouTube's deal with SESAC doesn't actually expire until next week, speculating that the early takedown may be a negotiating tactic. 

If so, it's one that won't earn them any goodwill. Many YouTube users have expressed anger at being suddenly cut off from their music videos, with some threatening to cancel their YouTube Premium subscriptions.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Mashable has reached out to YouTube and SESAC for comment.

TikTok ran into a similar music licensing issue with Universal Music Group (UMG) earlier this year. UMG pulled its catalogue from the platform after their partnership expired, bringing TikTok's trending sound economy to a standstill as countless videos were muted. The two finally reached an agreement in May, returning music from UMG's clients to TikTok, but it was certainly a weird few months on the video sharing app.

Until YouTube and SESAC can also reach an agreement, the former's musical landscape is going to sound very different.

TL;DR: Through Oct. 27, you can get the 15-course 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle for only £29.89 (reg. £1,121.83).

Whether you’re looking to start a career in coding or just want to learn for fun, the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle is great for beginners and experienced users alike. With 15 online coding courses and 213 hours of content, this collection of lessons teaches you the basics of coding, game development, ChatGPT, and more while allowing you to learn at your own pace. And for a limited time, it's on sale for £29.89.

Lessons are taught by leading industry experts like Jose Salvatierra (founder of Teclado and a software engineer) and give you essential tools to get started in web development. Learn to create your own software, design a video game, or utilise OpenAI technologies — the creative opportunities are plentiful. 

This bundle includes the following comprehensive online coding courses:

• Learn to Code with Python 3

• C++ for Absolute Beginners 2024

• ChatGPT Series: OpenAI Fundamentals 2024

• MySQL & SQL for Beginners

• The Complete Python Course: Learn Python by Doing in 2024

• Google Assistant Automation IoT Development

• Computer Vision & Deep Learning with OpenCV and Python: Build 15 Projects

• JavaScript Complete Guide with Practical JavaScript Projects

• Web Development with Vuex (2024)

• Flutter & Dart: Complete Flutter Dart Programming Course

• Java Programming for Complete Beginners

• Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification Training

• ChatGPT for Salesforce Development

• 2024 Complete Ruby on Rails 6 Bootcamp

• Game Development and Coding for Kids

Through Oct. 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle on sale for just £29.89 (reg. £1,121.83), with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joseph Delgadillo The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle £29.89 at the Mashable Shop
£1,121.83 Save £1,091.94 Get Deal

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 September 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 30 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Words with weight

These words are pugilistic divisions.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are weight classes in boxing

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 Boxing.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 30

• Feather 

• Heavy

• Light

• Boxing

• Cruiser

• Bantam 

• Middle 

• Welter

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for September 30

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.

Industry's Season 3 finale is both a blessing and a curse for viewers who ship Robert Spearing (Harry Lawtey) and Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela).

After three seasons of buildup, the pair finally admit their love for each other and have sex for the first time. Then, just hours later, Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) announces that he and Yasmin are engaged. Talk about whiplash.

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' stars Myha'la and Marisa Abela break down Harper and Yasmin's big fight: 'This is the end for them'

The announcement comes at a lavish birthday dinner for Henry's uncle, Otto Mostyn (Roger Barclay). Dozens of guests gather around a long table, chattering loudly and enjoying the rich feast before them. But in the moments following the news of the engagement, the revelers disappear, leaving only Yasmin and Robert staring at each other from across the table.

"I'm sorry," Yasmin tells Robert.

"I understand," he replies. And so do we: For Yasmin, the entire season has been built around trying to find security in the wake of her father's disappearance and various legal troubles. Marriage to Henry would mitigate these woes, especially since Otto all but told her that if she stayed with Henry, he'd ensure none of his tabloids would run stories about her involvement in her father's death. Matchmaking by blackmail, if you will.

The exchange between Yasmin and Robert is only two lines long, but the decision to clear everyone else from the room for it speaks volumes. For almost all of its run, Industry has rooted itself in realism. With Season 3, it's begun taking more stylistic swings, like Robert's surreal ayahuasca trip and now this near-fantasy moment with Robert and Yasmin. As the world narrows to just the two of them, we feel like we're watching something out of a period drama — think the dance scene between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, when all the other dancers fall away. Yasmin and Robert's entire stay in Henry's manor plays out like a period drama overall, so the choice to depart briefly from reality here is further proof of the show's playing with genre.

SEE ALSO: How the Pet Shop Boys became the soundtrack to 'Industry' Season 3

However, as Lawtey revealed in an interview with Mashable, the sequence wasn't originally scripted that way. Instead, the disappearance of the rest of the crowd came about as a request from Lawtey and Abela.

"[Marisa and I] were both talking about that scene a lot days in advance. We knew it was a really significant moment, perhaps the climactic moment of their relationship thus far, and we really wanted to get that right," Lawtey said. "Even though it was only two lines, it was all in the atmosphere and connection of that instant."

In order to nail the scene, Abela and Lawtey asked co-showrunners and finale directors Mickey Down and Konrad Kay whether they could be the only two actors in the room for their close-up coverage, since the supporting cast wouldn't be in frame.

"We thought it might be easier to have some stillness in the room and really find that moment organically," Lawtey said.

Down and Kay agreed, and once they'd shot the close-ups, they ended up liking the visual of the almost-empty room so much they realized they wanted to incorporate it into the show.

"It was a very instantaneous, almost impulsive decision that came from what was ultimately a practical request from Marisa and I. I think that really speaks to [Down and Kay's] freedom as showrunners, and this 'best idea wins' kind of culture and ability to just go with the flow of shooting, which can be very unpredictable and hard to restrain," Lawtey said. "If what is often a very technical process can generate something that feels creatively interesting, then we all have license to pursue that and follow it."

Industry Season 3 is now streaming on Max.

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 September 30'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 September 30 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Floating condensed water vapor.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CLOUD.

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.

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 September 30'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 September 30 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 September 30 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: Cooking with water

• Green: Used to make nice-smelling dupes

• Blue: Has a cool pet

• Purple: Sounds like a city

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: Cook with Heat and Water

• Green: Common Perfume Ingredients

• Blue: Characters with Pet Dogs

• Purple: Capital City Homophones

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 #477 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Cook with Heat and Water: BLANCH, BOIL, POACH, STEAM

• Common Perfume Ingredients: AMBERGRIS, MUSK, ROSE, VANILLA

• Characters with Pet Dogs: CHARLIE, DOROTHY, SHAGGY, WALLACE

• Capital City Homophones: KETO, ROAM, SOPHIA, SOUL

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.

The bill would have been the first in the nation to place strict guardrails on the new technology, but Gov. Gavin Newsom said the bill was flawed.

On 'SNL's Weekend Update, the internet's favorite baby hippo Moo Deng stopped by to establish some boundaries.

See who was cast for the 2024 U.S. presidential election on this season of 'Saturday Night Live.'

Meta has blocked the leaked JD Vance dossier on Threads, Instagram, and Facebook.

According to a statement given to The Verge, posting or sharing links to the hacked documents violates its content policies. Meta’s policies “not allow content from hacked sources or content leaked as part of a foreign government operation to influence US elections,” said the spokesperson. 

Threads users noticed that posts containing links to Ken Klippenstein’s Substack newsletter, which published the dossier, were removed. Links hosted on third party sites like Scribd or as a PDF in Google Drive are also reportedly blocked. 

Post by @esqueer_ View on Threads

Instead, Threads users have successfully been able to post links to the dossier by adding spaces to the url or instructions on how to access it via Google search.

Post by @tomwellborn3 View on Threads

Klippenstein, an independent journalist, received the documents from hackers who are reportedly part of an Iranian effort to influence the U.S. presidential election. The dossier contains information from former President Donald Trump’s campaign vetting Sen. JD Vance and his potential as a running mate. 

The document appears to reveal information about Vance’s political stances on numerous issues, such as higher taxes for people without children. The dossier also discusses Vance's since-deleted tweet about accusations of sexual assault against Trump. It also contains Vance’s personal information, including his phone number, email address, and home address. 

Klippenstein’s account on X has been suspended in violation of its policies for sharing a link to his Substack post, which contained this sensitive information.

Tweet may have been deleted

X has also blocked posts sharing the dossier. 

Tweet may have been deleted

The state extended its current personal privacy law to include the neural data increasingly coveted by technology companies.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for September 29

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, September 29, 2024:

AcrossPolitician whose last name sounds like 1-Down (and not like a dance!)

• The answer is Walz.

___ Hawkins dance

• The answer is Sadie.

The person I used to be, self-descriptively

• The answer is Old me.

Botches

• The answer is Flubs.

Egyptian snakes

• The answer is Asp's.

DownSee 1-Across

• The answer is Walls.

Make sense, so to speak

• The answer is Add up.

Arms or legs … or branches

• The answer is Limbs.

Features of puzzles, blizzards and jazz

• The answer is Zees.

Spot to sleep when you're in the doghouse

• The answer is Sofa.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

The automaker, created by a 2021 merger, is dealing with labor unrest, slumping sales and a revolt from its dealers.