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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 September 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 20 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A way with words

These words are commonly heard in English classes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are all related to literary terms.

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 Poetry.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 20

• Diction

• Stanza

• Verse

• Poetry

• Scansion

• Rhyme

• Meter

• Syntax

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.

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 20's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 20 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: Assuming

• Green: A person

• Blue: Star Wars

• Purple: Phrases that could follow after "kitty"

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: Presume

• Green: Somebody

• Blue: Characters in The Empire Strikes Back, Familiarly

• Purple: Words After "Kitty"

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 #466 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Presume: FIGURE, IMAGINE, SUSPECT, THINK

• Somebody: CHARACTER, INDIVIDUAL, PARTY, PERSON

• Characters in The Empire Strikes Back, Familiarly: BOBA, CHEWY, EMPEROR, SOLO

• Words After "Kitty": CAT, CORNER, HAWK, LITTER

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.

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 20'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 20 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To gently apply force to something.

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 S.

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...

SMOKE.

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.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29, the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle has dropped in price to £30.09 (reg. £1,129.22).

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 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 £30.09.

These online coding courses are taught by leading industry experts, like Jose Salvatierra (founder of Teclado and a software engineer), and give you the essential tools to get started in web development. Technology is evolving faster than ever, and you can better keep up with the competition by learning a new skill set. Create your own software, design a video game, or utilise OpenAI technologies such as ChatGPT— 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 Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle on sale for just £30.09 (reg. £1,129.22), 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 £30.09 at the Mashable Shop
£1,129.22 Save £1,099.13 Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The action is really hotting up in F1, with Lando Norris closing the gap on Max Verstappen every week. Things are building to a dramatic climax, meaning fans will be desperate for a way to watch remaining races without spending anything. This is where we can help.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix?

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix takes place over 62 laps of the 4.94 kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 20

• Practice 2 — 9 to 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 20

• Practice 3 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 21

• Qualifying — 9 to 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 21

• Race — 8 a.m. ET on Sept. 22

The good news is that it's possible to stream the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

• Belgium — RTBF (every race)

ORF, ServusTV, and RTBF are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

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 Austria or Belgium

4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF

5. Watch the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix 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 services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Belgium

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds

• 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024-25 Women's Super League for free on BBC iPlayer and YouTube. Access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a lot of soccer competitions to keep tabs on, but if women's soccer is your thing, the WSL should be your priority. This league is stuffed full of star players and intriguing storylines that play out every week. And you can watch some of the biggest fixtures from the WSL without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2024-25 Women's Super League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Women's Super League?

The Women's Super League is the highest league of women's football in England. Established in 2010, it is run by the Football Association and features 12 professional teams.

The defending champions are Chelsea.

When is the 2024-25 Women's Super League?

The 2024-25 Women's Super League is the 14th edition of the competition. This year's WSL takes place from Sep. 20 to May 11.

How to watch the 2024-25 Women's Super League for free

BBC Sport has agreed to show 22 live matches for free on BBC iPlayer. And all non-Sky Sports/BBC broadcasted WSL fixtures will be live streamed globally for free on YouTube.

Anyone from around the world can access WSL fixtures for free on YouTube, but the same can't be said for the top games featured on BBC iPlayer. This popular service will block your access if you attempt to connect from outside the UK, so if you want to watch the WSL on BBC iPlayer from the U.S., you'll need to use a VPN.

VPNs can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world. The process is actually really simple:

1. Sign up for 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch the WSL on BBC iPlayer for free from the U.S.

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 gain access to free live streams of the 2024-25 Women's Super League season without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Women's Super League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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

• 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.

Live stream the Women's Super League for free with ExpressVPN.

Netflix has dropped its first teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated second season of "Squid Game". Watch.

BurnBot's RX2 delivers fast, safe controlled burns with minimal smoke, reducing wildfire risks and creating defensible spaces.

Jennifer Kent, filmmaker of 'The Babadook', opens up about creating a character that would become an LGBTQ+ icon and why she refused to make a sequel.

The State Department announced on Wednesday its entering the late 20th century and immediately making its new online passport renewal system fully available to the public.

Tweet may have been deleted

The new offering replaces the former method — printing out a paper application and mailing it with a check. The State Department declares the online renewal system "secure" and says it will save travelers time and headaches.

SEE ALSO: How to file taxes for free online

Clicking through to the online portal (Travel.State.Gov/renewonline) leads users to the seven-step process (eight-step if you choose to enroll in email updates). One of the highlights of the new process is the option to upload a digital photo (no more coughing up money at a pharmacy or post office!), but no selfies allowed.

Another important note: Renewing online can only be done if your international travel is more than eight weeks away. If a trip is planned between three and eight weeks in the future, renewal by mail is the preferred method, while in-person service is required if a passport is needed in three weeks or less.

Moving the renewal process online follows other bureaucratic overhauls at the State Department that promise more efficiency for travelers.

"Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and a host of other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times," according to a statement from State.

A peculiar bug has appeared in iOS 18.

The new Apple software update, which goes live for everyone on Friday, has already become home to a weird little glitch that has potentially catastrophic consequences. According to 9to5Mac, if you reply with a threaded message when someone shares an Apple Watch face with you over Messages, you run the risk of losing your entire text history with that person.

SEE ALSO: Apple iOS 18 release date today: When you can download it

9to5Mac went a little deeper into what exactly happens when you reply to an Apple Watch face. Apparently, once it happens, the Messages app will repeatedly crash if you try to open the conversation. Harrowingly, this affects both users in the conversation, not just the person who replied in the first place. As far as anyone can tell, the quickest solution is to delete the chat history between you and the other person.

Obviously, that's not great. The simple act of replying to a watch face shouldn't run the risk of losing years of chats with a loved one. Do not be surprised if Apple fixes this with haste.

Your favorite third-party apps and devices may soon become more integrated with Apple's iOS mobile operating system then ever before – at least if you're in the EU.

On Thursday, the European Commission began its first proceedings in order "to assist Apple in complying with its interoperability obligations" that are enforced under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The first proceedings are actually two specific proceedings. One proceeding is in regard to how iOS devices work alongside other connected devices such as wearables. The other addresses interoperability with iOS devices and third-party developers' products.

"​​Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue," said European Commission Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy Margrethe Vestager in a statement. "We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets. Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this." 

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPadOS 18 is causing big problems for some iPad owners

"This process will provide clarity for developers, third parties and Apple" Vestager continued. "We will continue our dialogue with Apple and consult third parties to ensure that the proposed measures work in practice and meet the needs of businesses."

Apple has to open up iOS

The DMA is an EU regulation meant to ensure that Big Tech companies are providing open and fair platforms in order to spur competition within the marketplace.

According to the Commission's latest proceedings, Apple is failing to abide by the DMA in two major ways.

The first proceeding addresses "iOS connectivity features and functionalities, predominantly used for and by connected devices." These devices are described as essentially wearables such as smartwatches, headphones, and virtual reality headsets. It appears that the EU wants Apple to be more open with the interoperability between iOS devices such as iPhone and non-Apple wearables. The Commissions specifically mentions that iOS functionalities like notifications, device pairing, and connectivity with these third-party devices need to be improved upon by Apple.

SEE ALSO: Is Apple Intelligence only on iPhone 16? We have the answers

The second proceeding takes aim at Apple over interoperability requests from third-party developers on iOS and iPadOS. According to the Commission, the request process needs to be "transparent, timely, and fair." It appears that the EU wants Apple to provide more developer access to app makers looking to integrate iOS features like Siri and Apple Pay into their software. Today, third-party developer access to some of these features is either severely limited or completely restricted.

Under the DMA, Apple will have six months to address these issues from the European Commission. If the company does not comply, the EU can fine Apple a whopping 10 percent of its annual global turnover.

These fairly new tech regulations in the EU have already impacted Apple in a number of major ways. Most notably, Apple was forced to allow third-party app stores on its iOS devices, like iPhone, which would compete with its own official App Store. 

Will these DMA-spurred changes affect Apple users in the United States? In the case of alternative app stores, Apple only makes those available in the EU. However, EU regulations have had broader effects on the company outside of the territory. For example, EU regulation is what spurred Apple's move from lightning cables to USB-C for its charging cables.

SAVE $50.01: As of Sept. 19, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra at Amazon on sale for $599.98. That's 8% off its normal price of $649.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra $599.98 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $50.01 Get Deal

Though Apple just debuted the new Apple Watch Series 10, not everyone is going to be on board with it as their daily driver smartwatch. It may feel like Apple has a hold on just about everyone when it comes to wearables, but the Android crowd flocks to Samsung for their favorite smartwatches. And Samsung has devotees covered with its own premium Galaxy watch that's meant as a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra — and both are on sale today.

As of Sept. 19, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for $599.98. That's $50.01 off its regular price of $649.99 and a discount of 8%. This price applies to the Silver, Titanium Grey, and Titanium Silver colorways, but the other options are currently sold out.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

This rugged watch looks a lot like Apple's Ultra device, and it also shares many of the same features. It can track a wide variety of workouts, from runs to swimming and everything in between. Using Galaxy AI, it can help you compare performances and offers personalized insights as well as an Energy Score, which uses your sleep, heart rate, and day's steps to calculate your readiness for the day. It also offers precision heart rate tracking, offers wellness tips based on your daily performance, and much more.

With up to 100 hours of battery life as well as a customizable Quick Button to help you start and stop workout tracking to your liking, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a great buy for Android device owners — or if you just want a great smartwatch.

Well, well, well... another retailer is entering the October Prime Day arena. Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs October 8 and 9, with fellow retailers joining in. Target has announced the return of Circle Week from October 6 through 12, and Best Buy dropped an entire calendar of fall savings that runs from September 25 to October 25, and hidden in that month is a 48-hour sale spanning October 8 and 9.

The next retailer to join in on the fall sales is Walmart, which just announced its holiday plan. You'll be unsurprised to hear that these savings start on... October 8. Walmart's fall savings won't require a membership to shop the deals, but members of the Walmart+ program do get early access. Here's what we know so far about Walmart's holiday sale.

When is Walmart's holiday sale?

Walmart's holiday sale starts on October 8 at midnight ET exclusively online for Walmart+ members. All customers can begin shopping the holiday savings on October 8 at noon ET online, with in-store savings kicking off on October 9. The deals run through October 13, providing savings on toys, electronics, home goods, and more.

Additionally from October 14 through December 25, Walmart is offering discounts on holiday meals. Plus, the company is making it easy to give back during the holiday season. In collaboration with the Salvation Army, Walmart customers can donate the equivalent cost of a holiday meal for a local family.

What is Walmart's holiday sale?

Walmart is launching six days of holiday savings. Unlike Prime Day, you don't need a membership to shop the savings. Walmart+ members do get early access to the sales event and can start shopping 12 hours earlier than everyone else, but all customers can join in on the savings starting at noon ET on October 8.

The deals encompass popular gifts and Walmart-exclusive products, and the retailer has even shared the products and savings that consumers will find come October 8. While some of these products are available now, the savings won't arrive until the sale officially kicks off next month. Here are the deals to anticipate:

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Pizza Fire Delivery Van — $29 $49.15 (save $20.15)

• LEGO Disney Stitch Toy Building Kit — $51.95 $64.99 (save $13.04)

• Bissell Little Green Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner — $109 $153 (save $44)

• onn. 98-inch Roku TV (Walmart exclusive) — $1,498

What is Walmart+? Walmart+ members score free delivery on orders over $35. Credit: Walmart

Walmart+ is the retailer's membership program, in the same vein as Amazon Prime. Walmart has offered members savings events in the past, but to be honest, we found Walmart+ Week to be a flop with few deals to shop. We're already anticipating Walmart's holiday savings to be better, and members score early access to the savings.

For frequent Walmart shoppers, the $98 a year (or $12.95 a month) membership may be worth it. Here are the perks you receive when joining Walmart+:

• Unlimited free delivery: All $35+ orders from Walmart stores will be delivered free of charge.

• Fast shipping: Next-day and two-day shipping is free for Walmart+ members with no minimum required.

• Easy returns: If you need to return something, Walmart will pick it up for you. You won't need to print any labels or repackage any products.

• Savings on fuel: Walmart+ members save 10 cents per gallon at participating fueling stations like Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, Sam's Club, and more.

• Auto care: Visit any Walmart Auto Care center for free flat tire repair and road hazard warranty.

• Mobile scan and go: Shopping at a physical Walmart location? Use your smartphone to scan and pay for your items to make the checkout process faster.

• Paramount+: Gain access to Paramount+ for no additional fee and enjoy the catalog of movies and TV shows.

• Early access: Members will get first dibs on special product releases and big sale events, including Black Friday.

• Walmart+ travel: Enjoy up to 5% in Walmart Cash when booking hotels, car rentals, tours, and more with Expedia, and up to 2% on flights.

• Burger King savings: Treat yourself with 25% off Burger King every day & get a free Whopper with any purchase every 3 months.

If you work from home or have a gaming set-up on your PC, you'll want to be using a high-quality monitor. If you're in need of an upgrade, you're in luck today because Amazon has some great deals on Samsung monitors. Here are some of the best deals:

Discounted Samsung monitors at Amazon Best overall deal Samsung Essential Monitor S3 (27-inch, curved, HDMI/VGA) $139.96 at Amazon (save $40.03) Get Deal Best gaming monitor deal Samsung S39C Series Gaming Monitor (32-inch) $199.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best monitor deal under 25 inches Samsung Essential Monitor S4 (24-inch) $129.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

If you work from home or catch up on emails in the evening and you do so on a small laptop screen, you're living life in the lane ridden with potholes. Instead, switch to the smooth lane by grabbing an external monitor. Sitting next to your laptop, these monitors expand (or mirror) your computer's screen, which means you'll have way more space to get work done. Instead of switching between tabs to complete work tasks, delegate two screens to streamline the project. But be warned that once you have one monitor, you might want two.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors for your home office

If you prefer to do gaming on an external monitor, you'll also want to make sure you have a clear display that's plenty large.

Samsung has long been an industry leader in producing high-quality displays and Amazon has some great sale prices on Samsung monitors during the week of Sept. 19. Here are some top choices if you're looking for an upgrade:

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Essential Monitor S3 (27-inch, curved, HDMI/VGA) $139.96 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.03 Get Deal Why we like it

With a 27-inch curved display, the Samsung Essential Monitor S3 comes with both an HDMI port and a VGA connection. The curved screen can be ideal for focus when working or for getting fully immersed in a game. Samsung also thought about eye health when designing the monitor, including advanced eye comfort which is said to reduce eye strain by minimizing blue light and reducing on-screen flickering.

You can use the Samsung Essential Monitor S3 in gaming mode which adjusts any game to fill the screen space.

Best gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung S39C Series Gaming Monitor (32-inch) $199.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in need of a gaming upgrade, the 32-inch Samsung S39C Series Gaming Monitor might be perfect. The curved display gives a more immersive feel while the advanced eye comfort aims to reduce strain by providing a flicker-free screen. You'll also get two HDMI ports and a DP triple interface to connect your devices. Plus, the monitor's built-in five-watt speakers makes gaming even better.

The AMD FreeSync gives you a seamless gaming experience combined with a smooth 75Hz refresh rate.

Best monitor deal under 25 inches Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Essential Monitor S4 (24-inch) $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're shopping for an external monitor, but don't want to go overboard with the size, consider the 24-inch Samsung Essential Monitor S4 which is on sale for just $129.99 at Amazon. With the included heigh-adjustable stand, you'll be able to set up your work station just how you like it. Samsung equipped the monitor with the brand's advanced eye care solutions which aims to reduce strain by minimizing blue light and using a flicker-free design.

The 100Hz refresh rate means you'll be getting smooth images without lag or motion blur.

More Samsung monitors on sale at Amazon

• Samsung Essentials Monitor S3 (24-inch) — $99.96 $139.99 (save $40.03)

• Samsung ViewFinity S50GC (34-inch) — $249.99 $379.99 (save $130)

• Samsung Odyssey G95C (49-inch) — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)

The Yao Ming of penguins has been born and is thriving in an Australian aquarium. You've got to see Pesto the penguin, a baby King Penguin at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium.

You are not prepared for the height and girth of this absolute unit. Feast your eyes like Pesto feasts on 25 fish per day.

Pesto is legitimately huge. He's an outlier in size and already towering over the adult penguins in his enclosure. The aquarium reports he is already 21 kilograms, or nearly 50 pounds, at just nine months old. Most sources online note that fully grown, adult King Penguins typically weigh between 30-35 pounds.

The internet has fully fallen in love with big baby Pesto, because that's what the internet does.

SEE ALSO: Why we’re all in love with a little hippo named Moo Deng

Though Pesto isn't alone in his virality. He joins recently discovered and beloved baby hippo Moo Deng as the internet's current animal obsession.

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There's no telling just how big our little king Pesto might get, but you can bet the internet will be watching the entire time.

Fans of The Sims have been creating imaginative relationship dynamics and Jerry Springer dramas on their computer screens for years. Now, making your Sims polyamorous is easier than ever as EA have added ethical non-monogamy to The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack.

Non-monogamy in its many forms seems to be everywhere right now. Hundreds of articles have been talking about non-monogamy and polyamory. Some are calling it a fad, others are pointing out that it’s always been around. Trainwreck TV show Couple to Throuple presented an absolute masterclass in how not to do it, while other shows such as BBC mini-series Trigonometry got closer to good representation. And now, your Sims can be poly too.

The Lovestruck Expansion pack for Sims 4 includes new WooHoo (aka sex) spots, new interactions including a new kiss and dance, and most interestingly of all, new ways to adjust your Sims' boundaries and allow for multiple relationships.

SEE ALSO: What is consensual non-monogamy?

As a polyamorous person myself (I’m in a throuple, a three-person relationship) I’m all for greater representation of different relationship structures. Polyamory being more widely talked about is, on the whole, a good thing. My partners and I certainly encounter fewer shocked responses now than we did when we first formed our throuple four years ago. More people have heard of polyamory and, for polyamorous folks, that’s a positive step towards acceptance. According to dating app Feeld, which is for folks looking for alternative relationship structures including polyamory, the app has seen a 150 percent increase in sign-ups, with users specifically looking for polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous set ups.  

When it comes to polyamory in 'The Sims,' I’m sorry to say I have more bad things to say than good.

But there are a lot of misconceptions and often representation of polyamory gets things seriously wrong. And when it comes to polyamory in The Sims, I’m sorry to say I have more bad things to say than good.

One of the major changes in the expansion pack is the Romantic Boundaries system, which allows players to adjust their Sims' experience of jealousy. This was the first thing that leapt out at me when I heard about poly Sims. I rolled my eyes at just how obvious (but incorrect) this detail is. One of the first questions I get asked when I tell people I’m in a polyamorous relationship is "but don’t you get jealous?" And although it might seem like common sense that a very jealous person would struggle with polyamory, there’s something quite messed up in this way of thinking.

Jealousy is just an emotion like any other. Polyamorous people are not somehow immune to feeling jealous. The difference is how you choose to act on those feelings, as well as how you communicate them to your partners. A better way of representing polyamory might have been by ramping up communication and honesty, not by tuning down jealousy. This contributes to the misconception that polyamorous people are somehow shut off from our emotions, or that we are only able to be poly because we feel things less strongly than monogamous folks. 

In polyamory, you get different things from different partners.

To give an example from my own relationship, when I first got into a throuple, I had already been with one of my partners, Paul, for eight years. One night, I was away for work and Paul went on a dinner date with Andrea, who we had met a few months before. It was the first time they had been on a date without me, and you better believe I felt jealous. I sat in my hotel room panicking that they were having more fun without me. But rather than keeping this feeling a secret, and letting it eat away at me, I talked about it with them. They said they had a nice evening, but it would have been just as much fun if we’d all been there. I realised that my feeling of jealousy came from a place of insecurity — I was worried they were going to decide they like each other better and ditch me. But why would they, when nobody is asking them to choose? In polyamory, you get different things from different partners, a bit like how a monogamous person might get different things from different friends. A mate who’s interested in football, for example. Or a pal who’s better at giving career advice. People often assume there will always be a favourite in polyamory, but it just doesn’t work that way. Once you learn that, you think about jealousy differently, but being a non-jealous person isn’t a prerequisite of polyamory. Being willing to communicate openly is.

The EA Games blog post about the expansion pack also seems to imply that relationships between Sims will still be as couples, but that a Sim can be in multiple unconnected couples at the same time. New Relationship Dynamics, which include Wholesome, Steamy, Strained, and Unpredictable, reflect what the Sims’ relationships are like. But the blog specifies that these will only apply to the interactions between two Sims. The blog says, for example: "Wholesome refers to two Sims who genuinely love each other and show it through their actions, both friendly and romantic." There is no mention of throuples, quads, or larger groups of polyamorous people (often called polycules).

This is a very limited view of polyamory and not at all representative of what most polyamory looks like.

This is a very limited view of polyamory and not at all representative of what most polyamory looks like. In fact, there are so many different types of polyamory it can be hard to keep up with. There’s kitchen table polyamory, where a group might be friendly but not necessarily all involved, there’s hierarchical polyamory, where a person might have a partner they live with and a more casual partner they see less often, there’s relationship anarchy, which holds that all relationships (romantic and otherwise) are of equal value and importance. That’s to name just a few.

The type of polyamory portrayed in The Sims seems to be a mixture of solo polyamory and parallel polyamory. This might typically look like one person dating multiple people, but those people not being involved with one another. This is a totally valid form of polyamory that works for lots of people. But it’s certainly not the only type and suggesting otherwise reinforces the idea that the only truly valid romantic relationship is between two people.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for everyone

Although EA has got a lot wrong, there are a couple of things I like. The new turn-offs are relatable AF (Sims can get turned off by fishing) and there’s also a new way to measure satisfaction in relationships. Research into non-monogamy conducted by Dr. Heath Schechinger, co-founder of the Modern Family Institute and the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition, found that greater satisfaction for a variety of personal needs was one of the main reasons people enjoyed being polyamorous. In this sense, polyamorous Sims are able to seek out genuine connections and that’s refreshing to see. Too often, people assume polyamory is mostly about sex. In fact, according to Schechinger’s research, this was only the 8th most mentioned reason.

In the past, The Sims has done great things for visibility around sexual and relationship diversity. In 2022, they added more sexual orientations, and in 2023 gender affirming clothing and details such as top surgery scars were added. What makes polyamory so difficult to get right is that it’s so, well, complicated. Polyamorous people sometimes compare their relationships to a "choose your own adventure". We kind of make the rules up as we go along. And no two polyamorous relationships are alike. From the perspective of a games designer, that makes for a daunting task. But as polyamory becomes more widely understood, companies should be seeking out input from people who are really experiencing these dynamics IRL, rather than going off assumptions and stereotypes.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 19: OUR TOP PICK Google Pixel Buds A $64 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon (save $25 with on-page coupon FTVMAXUP24) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Fitbit Google Ace LTE kids smartwatch $199.95 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEAL Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Bluetooth speaker $69.99 at Amazon (save $40 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

If you're counting down the days to Amazon's October Prime Day, we've got some good news. There are impressive deals you can shop right now from top brands like Fitbit, Soundcore, Google, and Amazon itself. We've searched the deal pages and handpicked a few worthy of adding to your cart on Sept. 19.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. None of these catching your eye? Take a peek at our picks from Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. Many of those deals are still live, including four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited and $100 off an impressive Garmin smartwatch.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds A-Series $64.00 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Released in 2021, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series are nearly identical to the original Pixel Buds. They feature the same great audio, comfortable fit, average battery life, and Google Assistant. Where they improve on the previous iteration is hardware-related connectivity and of course, price, following Google's trend with A-Series products. As Mashable's Alex Perry noted in his review, "If price and sound quality are all that matter to you, you'll have a tough time finding a better value than the new Pixel Buds." As of Sept. 19, they're down to just $64 at Amazon — that's a savings of 35% and a new record-low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the first streaming stick to feature Fire TV Ambient Experience, which allows you to turn your TV into art via over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality work. It's the most advanced of the streaming sticks in the Fire TV lineup, with WiFi 6E support, Dolby Vision (plus HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG), Dolby Atmos audio, and 16GB of storage (the most of any other Fire Stick). It's regularly $59.99, but with the on-page coupon code FTVMAXUP24, you can knock the price down to only $34.99. That matches its previous all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Google Ace LTE kids smartwatch $199.95 at Amazon
$229.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Though it just made its debut earlier this summer, this is the third time we've seen the Fitbit Ace LTE by Google on sale. The smartwatch for kids helps gamify getting active by encouraging and rewarding movement and play throughout the day. It also gives parents the ability to keep tabs on their little ones by calling, texting, and voice messaging, seeing real-time locations, controlling the contact list, and restricting game access during specific times. If you're a parent hoping to swap your kid's screen time for physical activity, it's a fun way to do so. Snag the new wearable on sale for $199.95 as of Sept. 19 — that's $30 off its usual cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Bluetooth speaker $69.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $40.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Need a portable speaker to bring on your camping trips this fall? The Soundcore Motion Boom is built for the outdoors. It's not only waterproof, but designed to float. It lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge and has powerful enough stereo sound to fill the whole campsite. You can even customize the sound to your liking in the app. With the on-page coupon, you can get it on sale for just $69.99 at Amazon as of Sept. 19. That's a savings of 36% and the lowest price on record.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $110: As of Sept. 19, get a renewed Apple Watch Ultra at Amazon for just $449. That's 20% off its normal price of $559.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Watch Ultra (renewed) $449.00 at Amazon
$559.00 Save $110.00 Get Deal

Apple may have just introduced the Apple Watch Series 10, but that doesn't mean you have to pick it up right away. In fact, you may be better served grabbing an older model, especially since you can get the original Apple Watch Ultra for a great price right now. It comes with a slew of features on board, and it's still a feature-packed smartwatch that's well worth adding to your tech stack, especially since it's now heavily discounted.

As of Sept. 19, you can get a renewed premium original Apple Watch Ultra for just $449. That's $110 off its normal price of $559 and a discount of 20%. This renewed item has been inspected, tested, and refurbished according to Amazon's standards, and you can return it as you normally would in the event there are any issues with functionality.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

The Apple Watch Ultra may not be the new kid in town when it comes to premium smartwatches, but it's still rife with everything you need to track your health and fitness while keeping up with friends and family. This 2022 model lets you track your activity with a variety of sensors, though it does not include blood oxygen monitoring. It can let you track just about everything else, though, from sleep to your heart rate and more. In addition, you can use it just like you would a regular smartwatch with support for calls, texts, and even a compass to help you find your way if needed.

If you don't feel like shelling out for the newest Apple Watch, this is a great alternative. And you'll hardly miss the new bells and whistles with all that money saved.

SAVE UP TO 28%: Three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are on sale at Woot for just $33.49 with discount code ULTIMATE — that's $11.50 off the normal price of $44.99. Plus, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is on sale for $10.79 with the same code — that's $4.20 off the normal price of $14.99.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month membership 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $10.79 at Woot! (save $4.20 with code ULTIMATE) Get Deal 3-month membership 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $33.49 at Woot! (save $11.50 with code ULTIMATE) Get Deal

We're almost to October, which means it's time to consider what you'll do to keep busy through the darker winter months. If you happen to be a fan of gaming, Woot has a special deal in store for you today that'll give you access to hundreds of games.

As of Sept. 19, three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are just $33.49 at Woot with code ULTIMATE at checkout, a 26% discount off the list price of $44.99. You can use the same code to get one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $10.79, which works out to a 28% discount off the usual price of $14.99.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best gaming keyboards, and there was a clear winner

The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate comes with tons of perks for gamers. For starters, you'll get access to new games on the day they're released, which means you'll be able to play brand-new games from powerhouses like Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and Activision Blizzard.

In addition to new releases, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to hundreds of games on console, PC, and the cloud. The pass also includes a collection of EA Play games, so you'll be able to get in some solid hours with football, hockey, and soccer. Early trials of select new EA titles comes along with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving you bragging rights of being one of the first to gain access.

Select Xbox titles are offered at a special price for Ultimate pass holders, and you can save when buying add-ons and consumables at the Minecraft Store.

If you're ready to game through the winter, kickstart your adventures with saving on a 1-month or 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. With today's deal at Woot, you'll save up to 28%.