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We all have a phone that we rely on to survive. Most of us also have a laptop, whether we use it for work, school, or booking flights. But a tablet is the perfect middle ground between the two. It's larger than a phone but usually more portable than a laptop. Plus, many can double as a great e-reader.
Well ahead of the official Black Friday date, we're already seeing tablets on sale. They range from budget Amazon models to top-tier Apple iPads.
If you're shopping for a new tablet before the holidays, check out our favorite deals below.
Best Apple iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 at AmazonMashable's favorite budget iPad is already on sale well before Black Friday. And in even better news, it's down to the same sale price of $399 that we saw during October Prime Day. The 11-inch Apple iPad is powered by the A16 chip and has 12MP cameras on the back and front, which is great news if you'll be using the tablet for FaceTime over the holidays.
Best Amazon tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $79.99 at AmazonMashable's rating of the best tablets lists the Amazon Fire HD 8 as the top pick for an Amazon Fire tablet. Between the compact display size of eight inches, clear resolution, and incredible sale price, it's hard to go wrong with the Amazon tablet. The $79.99 sale price applies to the model with 64GB storage, which gives you space to download movies, shows, and music for upcoming holiday travel.
Best Samsung tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 $999.99 at AmazonIt's not the newest model, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is still well worth considering. The generous 11-inch display size could be awesome for watching movies in bed, and the AMOLED display offers impressive crispness. If you'll be out in the sun with the tablet, rest assured it can reach up to 1,600 nits of brightness. Plus, there's a microSD slot for increasing onboard storage. Samsung also includes the S Pen with the tablet.
Having good taste is expensive. Alas, it has always been thus.
But $200 for a clock is pushing it, even for a snob like me.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Time smart alarm $199.99 at AmazonThat's unfortunate, because I love the design of Amazon's new Echo Time smart alarm.
The new Echo Time is really sleek looking. Credit: AmazonEarlier this week, Amazon launched a bunch of new Echo smart home devices, and Mashable was there for the unveiling. The new Echo devices have less of a Death Star vibe, and the Echo Time stands out to me for its friendly design. It's exactly the kind of product I can imagine installing on my nightstand.
I really do love the design of this smart alarm. It doesn't have quite the same appeal as the new Apple HomeView for me (I'm not a huge fan of the knitted fabric cover on Amazon smart devices), but the round shape and pleasant, customizable clock faces work extremely well together. I even like the optional stand.
You have the option to add a matching stand to your Echo Time. Credit: Amazon The Echo Time is available in graphite, coral pink, and glacier white. Credit: AmazonWhy does everything have to be so expensive right now? Whether you're booking a hotel, ordering food, buying a phone, or looking for an alarm clock to break your morning phone habits, prices are painful. Amazon's last smart alarm, the Echo Spot, was priced at a much more reasonable $79.99. That is, until Amazon raised prices on the Echo Spot to $109.99 in August. Now, the company is asking us to pay even more.
The Echo Time isn't even the only pricey alarm clock I'm lusting after in 2026. Stylish, Instagram-famous analog alarms like the Nanu Arc Alarm Clock cost even more, at $299.
The $299 Nanu Arc is even worse for my wallet. Credit: NanuThis is why I play the lottery.
The Echo Time: What you get for the moneyThe Echo Time does work really hard to justify the price tag. And, for the record, I really wouldn't be mad about getting this as a Christmas gift this year. I just don't know that I can justify the money myself.
Billed as "your Alexa smart clock," the Echo Time has hundreds of clock faces for its 3.2-inch circular touchscreen, and with the AI-powered Alexa+, you can even use it to control smart lights, set the perfect sleep temperature, or open your blinds. The Echo Time also doubles as a noise machine, playing soothing sounds as you fall asleep at night or meditate in the morning. Amazon says its built-in speaker offers lossless high-definition audio for listening to music.
SEE ALSO: Hatch introduces new Sleep Clock, an alarm clock that tracks your sleepThe Echo Time also comes in a kid-friendly version. More importantly, your privacy is also considered with the Echo Time, which is "built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphones enable/disable button."
Customize your clock screen on the Echo Time. Credit: AmazonI've long since learned that having good taste is expensive, but in 2026, having any kind of taste is expensive. This, despite the fact that President Donald Trump promised to bring down prices at the pump, grocery stores, and beyond, telling crowds, "Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again." Obviously, that's not what happened. Tech companies, in particular, keep raising prices as they pass along the higher costs of the memory squeeze spurred by the AI industry.
So, you'll have to decide if your budget can bear a $199.99 smart alarm.
My verdict: Wait for Black Friday and see how much the Echo Time is going to cost when it inevitably goes on sale.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today.
NASA's farthest spacecraft gave mission control a scare when it inexplicably went silent and missed two days of planned check-ins.
The nail-biting incident happened just two weeks ago, when the Deep Space Network didn't receive a call from Voyager 1 on either Oct. 18 or 19. But before the agency could send repair commands, the spacecraft, now outside the solar system, signaled back on Oct. 20. No communication outages have happened since.
Engineers still don't know what caused the problem. So far, the team has discovered that one set of thrusters shut down, leaving a backup set to take over. The thrusters are small engines that point and steady the spacecraft. Voyager 1's computers do this automatically whenever they detect an issue with the active thrusters to ensure the spacecraft is in a safe mode.
"This is the first time we've seen the spacecraft do something like this, but we are also at a point in the mission where we have to expect the unexpected," said Kareem Badaruddin, Voyager mission manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. "We're relieved to be back in contact with Voyager 1 and are eager to understand what happened."
Voyager 1's trouble adds to a growing list of signs that NASA's longest-running mission is winding down. Its plutonium power source loses about four watts every year, forcing engineers to turn off two science instruments to conserve power. On Nov. 18, the spacecraft is expected to reach a historic milestone of one "light-day" from Earth. That distance, roughly 16.09 billion miles away, measures how far light travels over 24 hours.
SEE ALSO: Scientists think they've just discovered a new dwarf planet like PlutoVoyager 1 has traveled farther than any other human-made object and is racing through space at 38,000 mph.
Launched in 1977 to survey the outer planets, the spacecraft and its twin Voyager 2 have explored four planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — 48 moons, and a host of planetary magnetic fields and rings.
In August 2012, Voyager 1 was the first to enter interstellar space. The two remain the only spacecraft ever to leave the solar system, though New Horizons is trying to make its escape as well.
Both Voyagers run on radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which are power units that turn heat from decaying plutonium into electricity. In September, NASA engineers stretched their shrinking power supplies by turning off three instruments on each and replacing them with three lower-powered alternatives — a plan they nicknamed "the Big Bang." The devices involved in the swap also help keep the spacecraft warm enough to work in the freezing cold of space, so the swaps had to happen at the same moment to spread heat evenly.
That strategy should keep their Cosmic Ray Subsystems, Magnetometers, and Plasma Wave Subsystems running for at least one more year, according to NASA. The devices measure high‑energy particles, the local magnetic field, and ripples in charged gas around the spacecraft.
Once Voyager 1 passes one light day, a radio message from Earth will take 24 hours to reach it, and its reply will take another 24 hours to come back.
"If you want to say 'hello' to Voyager, you send your message and then you go home and you wait two days before you finally get a response," said Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager.
TL;DR: Babbel’s lifetime subscription includes all 14 languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with StackSocial’s code LEARN, available for a limited time.
Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159Your next trip deserves more than a confidently delivered “hello” followed by frantic pointing. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN — a one-time purchase that gives your language goals room to grow.
Developed by more than 100 expert linguists, Babbel offers over 10,000 hours of language education. You can start with Spanish, explore Italian before a trip, or give Norwegian a turn when curiosity strikes. All 14 languages are included, so choosing one today doesn’t lock you into it.
Lessons run about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to build a routine around the time you actually have. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced options help you find a useful starting point, whether you’re learning from scratch or revisiting a language you haven’t practiced in years.
The topics are practical: ordering dinner, asking for directions, shopping, making friends, and navigating business conversations. Speech recognition helps you work on pronunciation, while personalized review sessions reinforce what you’ve learned.
There’s also an AI conversation partner to practice expressing yourself in real time. It adds another opportunity to put words together and keep a conversation moving as you learn.
You can use Babbel on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Download courses, lessons, and review items beforehand, and offline access lets you keep studying without WiFi.
Short sessions now, another language later, and lifetime access through one purchase.
Get an all-language lifetime subscription to Babbel for $159 with the StackSocial code LEARN while this limited-time offer is available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is only $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1 for a lifetime, non-transferable license on one compatible PC.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97Your PC already has a job. Give it the tools to do more with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, now $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1. That’s a one-time purchase for a lifetime license on one compatible PC, with no subscription or recurring fees.
The reason to go Pro comes down to what you actually need from your computer. Beyond the core Windows experience, this version adds tools for business, development, and IT work.
BitLocker provides full-disk encryption to help protect your data. Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines, while Windows Sandbox gives you an isolated environment for testing apps without affecting your main operating system. Azure AD support handles business identity and access management. For professionals who need those capabilities, that’s a practical reason to choose Pro.
The everyday features get their moment, too. Snap layouts help organize your multitasking, so your screen can keep up when your workload gets busy. Biometric login supports facial recognition or fingerprint sign-in, backed by TPM 2.0 hardware security. And when the workday ends, DirectX 12 Ultimate supports gaming graphics.
Before buying, though, give compatibility a proper check using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. This version is intended for PCs that need a new Windows license and meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements. A Windows 10 PC that cannot receive the free Windows 11 upgrade through Windows Update will not be able to install this version.
The license is non-transferable, and delivery is digital. For a compatible PC that needs a license — and a user who’ll put those Pro features to work — Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 makes this a well-timed purchase through Nov. 1.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Knives Out creator Rian Johnson has launched a photography app, allowing others to copy his preferred look. Available on iOS, Chromagraph Camera was created in partnership with cinematographer Steven Yedlin and programmer Eric Cameron, and applies the same image processing Yedlin used in Johnson's films.
SEE ALSO: Nikon unveils Z5IIC camera, aimed at making photography less intimidating"I honestly just asked Steve (and our genius color science coder friend Eric Cameron) to make it because I take a ton of pics with my phone and wanted to have it for myself, and they figured hey, let's put it out there," Johnson posted to X.
"I've messed with plenty of good 3rd party tools but this is an elegant one-stop-shop, it just takes beautiful shots with Steve's special sauce processing. You can fine tune the image in the app (with color, exposure, grain and halation tools) and export it to your camera roll."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Johnson states that Chromagraph Camera shoots in RAW, meaning it captures unprocessed image data to enable more flexibility when editing. While most filters are typically applied after your device has already processed the image, Chromagraph Camera works directly from the RAW image instead.
As such, rather than applying a filter over the image preview, Chromagraph Camera only shows you its processed picture after you've already snapped it. You can tweak aspects such as colour, tone, and texture, though adjustments are fairly limited, "keeping every image true to the look that's the core of the app."
Chromagraph Camera has a few other restrictions as well. You can't access the completely unprocessed RAW images to edit yourself. It can only do still photography, not videos, though Johnson left the door open to potentially adding this feature on Pro model iPhones.
The app also isn't available on Android. Johnson stated that while Apple's consistent hardware meant they could ensure the app performed as intended across different iPhone models, bringing it to the multiverse of Android devices is a more difficult proposition.
"Android devices are much more varied, and there's no way with our small team we could dial it in for every device," Johnson wrote.
Some iPhone users have already taken the app out for a spin, and many appear impressed by its more filmic look. Compared to photos shot with the iPhone's base camera app, Chromagraph Camera's processing creates images that are noticeably darker, with a warmer hue and less digital sharpening.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Photography enthusiasts will likely miss the greater customisation and fine-tuning available on dedicated cameras, which offer much more manual control. Dedicated photographers wanting to put their own stamp on an image may be better off shooting in RAW and doing their own edit afterward.
However, if you just want to apply the same colour grading on Johnson's films to your point-and-shoot iPhone pics, the Chromagraph Camera app does that easily.
Chromagraph Camera is available in the App Store for $12.99.
Jason (Joel Edgerton) and his family haven't been having a great time of it, and the Dark Matter Season 2 finale did little to change that.
But did the plan to destroy the box, and end the weird quantum entanglement that the characters (and their multiple other versions) have been wrapped up in, actually work? What's next for the Dessens and everyone working at Velocity?
We've broken down an ending that was somehow even worse for its core characters than the finale of Season 1.
SEE ALSO: 'Dark Matter' Season 2, episode 5 is the best kind of filler episode What happens at the end of Dark Matter Season 2?The finale picks up from where we left things at the end of episode 9, with Jason and Blair (Amanda Brugel) on a mission to destroy the original box — a move they believe will wipe out all versions of it, thereby stopping all that pesky world-hopping — while Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) and Amanda (Alice Braga) deliver a cure to a plague-infected world. The group set their watches at the start of the episode, planning to all meet back in the Village Tap tavern once their missions are complete.
Elsewhere, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) tracks down Charlie (Oakes Fegley) in the world where his twin brother is still alive. He agrees to come back with her to the world where their family has settled.
Meanwhile, Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) becomes convinced that the box isn't actually helping the various worlds in the way he wanted it to. He and the other version of Jason (the one that created the box) agree to destroy it once Leighton's spoken to the other version of himself, Oluko, with whom he runs Velocity.
The problem? Oluko doesn't want to destroy the box. During an argument with Leighton, he hits him over the head and ends up strangling him to death. Oluko powers up the pyramid — the larger version of the box that they've been working on — and before Jason can shut it down again, he flees for another world.
Jason and Blair successfully manage to destroy the original box by planting a device inside it. They escape back to their world, and Jason heads home to change. Blair meets Ryan and Amanda, who've also been successful in their mission, at the tavern.
So, a happy ending? Nope. Back at his apartment, Jason finds a note from Daniela, who he assumed was still out of town visiting her dad, telling him she went into the box in search of Charlie. His wife and son are now trapped in a different world.
Jason and Blair complete their mission — but at what cost? Credit: Apple TV Have they destroyed the box?It certainly seems to. On returning to their current world, and when the timer on his watch hits zero, Jason checks the inside of the box and confirms to Blair that it's "dead." At the same moment, back inside the box on their way home, Daniela and Charlie are about to open the door when they feel a weird ripple pass through them. Something, it's clear, has happened.
The implication is very much that Jason and Blair have successfully destroyed the original box, as they set out to do. Which means that from that point on, travel between worlds won't be possible.
Where are Daniela and Charlie?Thankfully, the destruction of the box doesn't mean Daniela and Charlie are trapped in that infinite corridor (which would mean certain death). They have one more door to open. Unfortunately, if that door doesn't lead back to the world with Jason and the others, they're stuck. The episode ends on this exact cliffhanger, with them opening the box's door and staring out into the unknown. From the uncertain looks on their faces, though, it seems pretty obvious that they're not where they want to be.
So, are they trapped forever? Well, no. It's important to remember that although the original box is destroyed, Jason now has the knowledge to build a new one. There's also the pyramid, too; although the other version of Jason shuts it down in the finale, it seems likely that he could get it operational again if he chose to do so.
How the Dessens will reunite again is a question for Season 3, though — assuming the show gets renewed.
TL;DR: Watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Premier League for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Premier League is back with another selection of exciting fixtures. Chelsea vs. Manchester United at Stamford Bridge is absolutely vital for both sides. A defeat for Manchester United could see Michael Carrick depart from this position. Chelsea's form has slipped in recent weeks, but a win could propel Xabi Alonso's side into the top four.
If you're interested in watching Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Premier League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is Chelsea vs. Manchester United?Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Premier League kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 31. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United for freeChelsea vs. Manchester United in the Premier League is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.
CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil
Visit CazéTV
Watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more Premier League action) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.
Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintPertaining to.
Hurdle Word 1 answerABOUT
Hurdle Word 2 hintExisting.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerALIVE
Hurdle Word 3 hintA say.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 30, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerVOICE
Hurdle Word 4 hintLet's get married!
Hurdle Word 4 answerHITCH
Final Hurdle hintRed fruit.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerAPPLE
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
The Moon is starting to look a little less full as we move through the Waning Gibbous phase, with the Third Quarter Moon coming up next in the lunar calendar.
What is today's Moon phase?As of Friday, Oct. 30, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 78% of its surface visible.
Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Tycho Crater, Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Serenitatis. Binoculars will also help you see the Alphonsus Crater, the Clavius Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. And, if you have access to a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 14 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.
What are Moon phases?The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete an orbit around Earth, going through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of crescents, quarter moons and the Full Moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as explained by NASA.
The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.
Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.
While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 30, 2026 Flash meaningA sudden, brief burst of bright light.
Lens meaningA piece of glass or plastic with curved surfaces used in cameras, eyeglasses, microscopes and telescopes to focus or scatter light.
Shutter meaningA movable cover for a window.
Viewfinder meaningA device on a camera for showing the area of the subject to be included in the picture.
Demon meaningA supernatural entity most commonly viewed as malevolent or evil.
Drape meaningLong, thick window hangings, usually used in the plural.
Glum meaningSad, depressed, disappointed or silently gloomy.
Grange meaningA farm with a farmhouse and outbuildings.
Backdrop meaningA painted cloth hung at the rear of a theater stage.
Curtain meaningA piece of cloth or fabric hung over a window, doorway or space to provide privacy, block or filter light and decorate a room.
Pit meaningA large or deep hole in the ground.
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Wings meaningA movable appendage, structure or part used by birds, bats and insects for flight.
Hand meaningThe end part of the human arm used for holding, grasping and touching.
Pillow meaningA soft, rectangular or square cloth bag filled with soft materials.
Rug meaningA piece of thick, heavy fabric used as a movable floor covering.
Shade meaningA cool, dark area sheltered from direct sunlight.
Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theater kid.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 30, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Lights, camera, action!
Green: Go to the show
Blue: Toss it
Purple: Healthy and sweet
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Parts of a Camera
Green: Around a Theater Stage
Blue: Throw ___
Purple: Fruit with First Letter Changed
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 #1237 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayParts of a Camera: FLASH, LENS, SHUTTER, VIEWFINDER
Around a Theater Stage: BACKDROP, CURTAIN, PIT, WINGS
Throw ___: HANDS, PILLOW, RUG, SHADE
Fruit with First Letter Changed: DEMON, DRAPE, GLUM, GRANGE
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're always charged up.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 30, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All charged upThe words are related to voltage.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe powering up.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Plugged In.
NYT Strands word list for October 30Juice
Plugged In
Electricity
Current
Spark
Power
Energy
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Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're easygoing.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 30, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Ride along.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
SLIDE
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Binance may have been hacked. The popular crypto exchange announced a "potential security issue" on Thursday, freezing withdrawals after an apparent hacker drained hot wallets of more than $5.7 billion in cryptocurrency.
The official Binance X account first acknowledged the issue at 5:15 p.m. ET / 2:15 p.m. PT. This came within minutes of reports that digital finance companies Tether and Circle Group had frozen significant amounts of their respective stablecoins in response to a potential hack — specifically about $971 million in Tether and $823 million in USD Coin.
Binance has since stated that a total of $2.54 billion has been frozen, though this number may potentially grow as assets are traced.
"Our teams are aware of reports of a potential security issue and are actively investigating," Binance wrote. "Our security teams are reviewing all relevant information with urgency, and we will provide updates through official Binance channels as soon as we have verified information."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Few details about the hack have been revealed at this stage. As of writing, the ostensible hacker's wallet currently holds $1.77 billion in Tether, $1.44 billion in Bitcoin, and $1.01 billion in Ethereum, as well as over a billion more spread across other currencies such as USD Coin, Tron, and Solana.
These assets were reportedly drained from hot wallets: cryptocurrency wallets that are connected to the internet. Compared to offline cold wallets, they are significantly more practical for conducting transactions on exchanges such as Binance. However, they are also less secure.
Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao has stated that it "does look like a hack," but maintained a positive outlook on the situation.
"I don't manage Binance (.com) anymore, but as a shareholder, I expect all user funds will be fully covered," Zhao wrote on X.
In an update at 6:33 p.m. ET / 3:33 p.m. PT., Binance stated that its team was conducting security checks, and attempted to reassure anxious users.
"Withdrawals will resume as soon as the security issue is fully resolved," it wrote. "User funds remain safe."
Binance subsequently announced at 7:06 p.m. ET / 4:06 p.m. PT that it had suspended Binance Alpha trading, which would "resume once the security issue is resolved." Binance Alpha is a platform dedicated to highlighting early-stage crypto projects, which are not yet listed on the Binance exchange.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.SAVE $30: As of Oct. 29, Mashable's favorite budget headphones, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC (Jélle edition in Royal Caviar), are on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off their $99.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC $69.99 at AmazonIf you refuse to spend $350 on headphones just to tune out your coworkers, here’s some good news: Amazon just knocked 30% off the JLab JBuds Lux ANC (Jélle collection in Royal Caviar). That brings them down from $99.99 to $69.99, saving you an easy $30 on a pair our team genuinely loves.
We test piles of headphones at Mashable, and these earned the "best value" spot in our guide to the best pairs under $100. Plus, in our massive roundup of the best headphones of 2026, the JBuds Lux ANC snagged the crown for the best budget headphones.
Our guide lays it out plainly: if you’re a pure "value fiend" who doesn't care to drop hundreds on expensive cans, these more than get the job done. Once you tweak the equalizer in the app (the out-of-the-box settings lean a little heavy on the bass), tracks sound surprisingly clean and separated instead of turning into muffled mush.
SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals are here: Get Sony headphones for under $90The active noise cancellation won't create a spooky, absolute void of silence like a $400 pair of Sonys, but it easily dampens office chatter, air conditioners, and subway hum. Even better, you can actually adjust the ANC intensity in the app — a feature some luxury brands don't even give you.
And the battery life is almost comical: you get 70 hours of juice, or 40-plus with ANC running. You can pack them for a cross-country flight, use them all week at your desk, and still forget where you left the charging cable because you rarely need it.
$69.99 is the cheapest way to buy yourself peace, quiet, and 70 hours of battery life — grab a pair of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC before this deal sells out.
Alphabet stock recorded its worst-ever day on Thursday, dropping 12.29 percent by close of day; Alphabet is the owner of Google, among other companies. The drop came despite the very strong revenue growth Google reported in a Q3 earnings call.
It was the largest single-day drop for Google stock, according to Yahoo Finance, and the decline erased almost $500 billion in value in a matter of hours. Per Yahoo, it was also the second-largest one-day loss ever recorded for a company listed in the United States. The sums involved are truly astronomical.
To put $500 billion in perspective: If you stacked $5 billion worth of $100 bills on top of each other, the resulting tower would rise above the atmosphere and about 90 miles beyond the International Space Station. Or, put it like this: If you spent $1 million every day, it would take you 1,369 years to spend $500 billion.
As one of the world's largest companies by market value, the impact extended far beyond Google, affecting other tech stocks; moreover, the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all experienced losses overall on Thursday, per Yahoo.
Why are the markets so spooked?Google's third-quarter earnings filing revealed that the company faces significantly more risk than it discussed in its Q3 earnings call, according to Bloomberg. In addition to the more than $1 trillion in future purchase commitments Google faces, Bloomberg reported that Google's quarterly filing listed an additional $98.5 billion in possible commitments. The discrepancy showed just how much exposure Google has if the AI spending spree — which you can imagine as a giant, slowly expanding bubble — fails to deliver.
That's not the only red flag scaring investors, either.
Google also reported negative cash flow for the third quarter. The company reported negative cash flow for the first time last quarter.
Not everyone is pessimistic about Google's stock or the AI spending spree, however. Google did report 25 percent revenue growth, thanks in large part to its cloud services. Google's latest frontier AI model, Gemini 4 Carbon, is also at the top of the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index. And the massive capital expenditures on AI could prove profitable in the long term; the tech industry is clearly betting this is the case.
But as today's sell-off shows, if AI investments don't pay off, that bet would have wide-ranging impacts on the economy at large.
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