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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.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

California rolls are a popular example.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 25 Hurdle Word 1 answer

SUSHI

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Good to have insurance if you ever have one of these.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 25 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WRECK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Abrupt, possibly rude.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 25 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TERSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A neck warmer.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SCARF

Final Hurdle hint

Something you probably didn't want to be late for while growing up.

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

CLASS

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 21's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 25 What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 25 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Not losing

• Green: Tracking America's pastime

• Blue: Ball movement

• Purple: A group of teams

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

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

• Yellow - Win

• Green - Found in a baseball box score

• Blue - Types of basketball passes

• Purple - ____ League

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #31 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Win: CONQUEST, SUCCESS, TRIUMPH, VICTORY

• Found in a baseball box score: ERA, H, LOB, R

• Types of basketball passes: BOUNCE, CHEST, OVERHEAD, SKIP

• ____ League: AMERICAN, CHAMPIONS, G, PREMIER

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.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 25

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, October 25, 2024:

AcrossBlurb on a Bumble profile

• The answer is Bio.

Pattern that helps you blend in, informally

• The answer is Camo.

Japanese electronics brand

• The answer is Casio.

___ acid (protein builder)

• The answer is Amino.

Cry when you see 3-Down on your card

• The answer is Bingo.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 25 DownSink fixture

• The answer is Basin.

Messaging, AOL-style

• The answer is IMing.

Row of five that prompts you to shout "7-Across!"

• The answer is OOOOO.

Sleeveless top for layering

• The answer is Cami.

Taxi

• The answer is Cab.

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

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

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

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

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: Answer, hints for October 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Make some noise!

These words are audibly relevant.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are related to animal noises.

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 PetSounds.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 25

• Growl

• Squeak

• Chirp

• Purr

• Squawk

• PetSounds

• Bark

• Meow

• Grunt

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 25 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 25

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.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 25'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 today: Hints and answers for October 25 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 25 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Expression of disapproval.

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 F.

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...

FROWN.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 25

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 25'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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 25 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: A punctuation mark

• Green: Can dance here

• Blue: Reactions

• Purple: Definitions of pan

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: .

• Green: Event With Dancing

• Blue: iPhone Message Tapback Responses

• Purple: "Pan"

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 #502 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• . : DOT, PERIOD, POINT, TITLE

• Event With Dancing: BALL, FORMAL, HOP, RAVE

• iPhone Message Tapback Responses: EXCLAMATION POINTS, HEART, QUESTION MARK, THUMBS UP

• "Pan": BAD REVIEW, CAMERA MOVEMENT, COOKWARE, SATYR

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 23

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.

No matter the gifting occasion, you want to wow your mom. She spent years of her life providing for you, and now you're in a place where you can *kind of* return the favor.

While she probably won't say no to a new high-tech vacuum or kitchen appliance (you'll find a couple on this list), make sure not to pigeonhole your mother by looking only at stereotypical "mom gifts." Remember, moms are actual, whole human beings outside of being your mom! Instead, consider gifts that are actually for her and don’t just have to do with weirdly gendered mom pursuits, an all-too-common issue that afflicts many a gift guide.

SEE ALSO: Best gifts for parents: Great gift ideas for moms, dads, and guardians

Your mom (or mom figure, or mom friend) should revel in her own glory with gifts that make her feel smart, sophisticated, and valued. Consider what she does when she has no one putting demands on her time — then shop for those moments. Here are over 35 ideas to get you started:

Elon Musk's X appears to be adding yet another fee for third party apps, according to an affected app developer.

After acquiring then-Twitter, Musk made big sweeping changes to the platform's API, which allows third-party developers to integrate X into their platforms. The biggest change? Charging thousands of dollars just to access X's API, which used to be free to use for most developers.

Under Musk, many app developers found that they'd have to pay $42,000 per month, in order to continue using X integration. 

Some third-party companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo just removed X from their app. Many apps that depended on X API access had to shut down. However, some companies had no choice but to fork over the $42,000 per month just to access the lowest-priced tier of X's Enterprise API plan. 

SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is skipping around on stage for Donald Trump

Now, those companies that are paying tens of thousands of dollars to X per month are being asked to pay additional fees to the tune of $1 per month for each account that will be connecting to X's API through their app. Again, this monthly $1 per account fee is on top of the $42,000+ per month companies are already paying for X API access.

Musk squeezing developers dry for a buck

Social media management app Publer was the first to go public with the most recent X API changes.

"I just got off a call with our Enterprise Partner Manager at Twitter/X, and unfortunately, I have some bad news for those using the free version of Publer," Publer founder and CEO Ervin Kalemi wrote in a post on X. "In addition to the hefty Twitter/X API Enterprise fee ($42K/month), starting November 1st, we will also have to pay $1 monthly for each Twitter/X account connected to Publer. Long story short, we can no longer support Twitter/X for free."

Mashable reached out to X for confirmation and any more information about this apparent change to the platform's fee structure, and we will update if we hear back.

To get a better understanding of what these fees mean to third-party app creators, here's an example: According to Publer's own reports, the company was making between $125,000 and $140,000 per month at the beginning of the year. Based on those numbers, X currently takes more than one-third of Publer's revenue each month due to the $42,000 per month API cost.

Let's say a social media management company like Publer charges users $10 per month to manage their social media through their app. Based on Publer's previously reported revenue, that means Publer could have up to 14,000 paying customers. If each paying user connects just one X account to use on Publer, those new X per account fees could now cost Publer an extra $14,000 per month or $168,000 per year. Again, this is in addition to the $504,000 per year a company like Publer already pays X for the lowest tier of X's Enterprise API access.

And if you're wondering how much other social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube charge developers and companies for API access, it's nothing. All those companies provide API access at zero cost, free to use.

X's once-lively app ecosystem barely exists now

Charging exorbitant fees for API access is easily one of the more controversial decisions that Elon Musk made after acquiring then-Twitter. Before Musk, Twitter was known for having a robust third-party app ecosystem. 

Indie developers as well as larger companies were freely creating their own apps that provided Twitter users with additional functionality not built-in to the platform itself. Some found financial success with their apps that utilized Twitter's free API. However, in return, these third-party apps encourage content creation, engagement, and overall Twitter platform usage.

Since Musk took ownership, however, many of those apps have since shuttered. The once-bustling forums and message boards where developers shared daily news and tips about Twitter's API are now dead. The developers that can afford it are being forced to pay dearly to keep their apps afloat. With the latest additional API fees, it'll be interesting to see how many developers continue to allow themselves to be squeezed by Musk.

In just a few days, we'll all have access to Apple's latest iPhone software update, iOS 18.2, but the beta is already available to some developers.

Of course, the most news shattering feature of the new iOS update is Apple's AI-related features. Among them are Genmoji, AI-powered custom emojis; image playground, which allows users to create images based on a text description from their library; and Image Wand, which Mashable's Stan Schroeder described as "essentially Image Playground integrated into the Notes app." Siri can answer your questions using ChatGPT now, and there are expanded AI writing tools. Finally, there's Visual Intelligence, in which AI gives you info about something your camera is pointed at — like, say, hours of a place of business.

SEE ALSO: The real AI update: Apple launches iOS 18.2 developer beta Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

If AI isn't really your thing, there's still something for you in the new update. You can turn off game previews in your Apple Arcade, use built-in categories for organizing your emails in the mail app, layer voice memos on top of each other and mix them in the voice memo app, and change your default apps in your settings. You can change up the volume limit, there are new sections for managing data in Safari, and you can favorite categories in the Podcasts app.

Overall, lots of changes and updates to look forward to.

TikTok is bringing its STEM feed to all users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland. Previously, it was only enabled for users under 18.

SEE ALSO: TikTok's retro dating dance trends harken back to the days of courtship

Launched last year, the STEM feed is a designated hub for vetted science, technology, engineering, and math content. Since its launch, nearly 200 million videos have been uploaded to the feed. It also spurred an 18 percent increase in STEM-related content on the platform. One-third of teen users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland use the STEM feed on a weekly basis.

All videos on the STEM feed must be approved by Common Sense Networks and The Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Common Sense assesses a video's age-appropriateness, and Poynter checks its reliability. Misinformation runs rampant on the platform — Newsguard recently found that AI-enhanced videos spreading election misinformation garnered over 380 million views — and the STEM feed provides a rare haven of vetted content.

The STEM feed has been used to counter claims that the platform is damaging to teen mental health — despite overwhelming evidence of social media's impact on teen mental health. In two U.S. congressional hearings, TikTok CEO Shou Chew pointed to the feed as an example of TikTok fostering a love of learning and science and math.

The STEM feed is one of several Topic Feeds available on the platform. These hubs serve as topic-specific alternatives to your FYP and Following feed. They've launched Sports, Food, Gaming, and Fashion feeds.

While the feed is now enabled for all users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland, you can turn it off in the app's settings under "content preferences."

Hilarious comedian and actress Ali Wong took on 'Hot Ones.'

More sex workers are supporting Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, new data shows.

Nearly three out of four (74 percent) said they will vote for Harris in a poll of over 200 sex workers conducted by research firm SWR Data in the last week. Just above nine percent will vote for Trump, and the same amount are undecided. More than 7 percent will vote for someone other than Harris or Trump. One person said they definitely won't vote.

SEE ALSO: Porn performers launch campaign against Project 2025

While the sample size is small, it's a subgroup within the estimated two million adult creators in the U.S., according to a press release shared with Mashable.

Credit: SWR Data

Porn performers working on studio sets are the strongest Harris supporters, with 81 percent voting for the candidate. Considering that Project 2025 — the right-wing policy wishlist for Trump if he wins — includes outlawing porn, it makes sense that performers want his opponent to win. Harris support is also strong among strippers, with 78 percent of those polled voting for her.

Trump, meanwhile, has the strongest support among webcam models (11 percent) and phone sex operators (11 percent). But all Trump supporters polled said they're extremely certain in their choice of candidate, while only 80 percent of Harris voters are extremely certain. Last month, Mashable reported that some sex workers are uncertain about voting for Harris considering her past actions. These included co-sponsoring the bill SESTA while a senator (a law that, along with FOSTA, were anti-sex-trafficking in theory, but in practice, researchers say hurt sex workers) and helping shut down Backpage.com, which sex workers say made them less safe.

Despite the hesitation to vote for her, Harris supporters speak about politics with their fans more often than Trump voters do: 20 percent of Harris voters do so "very often," contrasted with six percent of Trump voters. Thirty-seven percent of Harris voters speak about politics "occasionally," while only 19 percent of Trump supporters do. Half of Trump-voting creators never speak about politics with fans, and only 18 percent of Harris voters never do.

"With censorship and bodily autonomy on the ballot, the stakes could not be higher," MelRose Michaels, adult performer and co-founder of SWR Data, commented on the press release. "We're seeing a highly political, highly engaged sex worker population embrace its voice and flex its muscle. While there’s certainly still significant concern in the community over Harris' role in passing FOSTA, there's clearly much much greater concern about the possibility of a second Trump administration and the potential repercussions of Project 2025-like theocracy."

SAVE UP TO 35%: Beats headphones are up to 35% off this week. Find the Powerbeats Pro for $40 off at Best Buy, the Solo 4 for $69.96 off, and the Studio Buds for $49.96 off.

Best Beats Deals Best over-ear headphones deal Beats Solo 4 $129.99 at Amazon (Save $69.96) Get Deal Best sporty earbuds deal Beats Powerbeats Pro $159.99 at Best Buy (Save $40) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon (Save $49.96) Get Deal

With all the headphones on the market, how does one decide what pair to get? Well, the easy answer is to chase the deals. This week, those deals point straight to Beats headphones and earbuds. Before there were AirPods, there were Beats. Apple's original dive into earbuds and headphones has since been overshadowed by AirPods, but they're still fantastic. Plus, they're compatible with Android as well as iOS systems.

This week, we've spotted deals across the Beats lineup. You can find savings on headphones and earbuds from the brand that are up to 35% off.

Best over-ear headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $69.96 Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Solo 4 are a more budget-friendly entry in the Beats headphone line-up. While they don't have active noise cancellation, these on-ear headphones feature spatial audio and dynamic head tracking for sound that moves with you. Plus, at full charge, they have 50 hours of battery life — that will get you through the entire work week.

Right now, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale at Amazon for $129.99, saving you $69.96 for 35% off.

Best sporty earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro $159.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For a sportier pair of earbuds, look to the Powerbeats Pro. When we first tested these back in 2019, we found them to have better sound, fit, and battery life than AirPods. While haven't put them head-to-head with the latest AirPod models, the Powerbeats Pro still make a great pair.

They're completely wireless, so you don't get tied up while working out, plus they're sweat-resistant. Right now, Best Buy is running a sale on the Powerbeats Pro, bringing them down to $159.99 for $40 off.

Best earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal Why we like it

For affordable earbuds with active noise cancellation, the Beats Studio Buds are a great pick, especially if you're looking for an AirPod alternative. All Beats come with the same easy connectivity as AirPods, instantly connecting with iOS systems, however, they're also compatible with Androids too.

The Studio Buds come with eight hours of battery life and 24 hours with the charging case. You can switch between ANC and transparent modes when you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Right now, you can get the already affordable earbuds for $99.99. This is an especially good deal compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC, which cost $168.99. This deal on the Beats Studio Buds saves you $49.96 for 33% off.

Music legends Tegan and Sara have experienced a lot in their over 25 years in the music industry. Here, they share some valuable life experience for breakout star, Chappell Roan as she navigates superstardom.

Google Calendar is getting a big design revamp, so it may look quite different on your web browser. Among the changes is the option to toggle to dark mode, which some users will certainly welcome.

Google published a blog detailing the changes, which began rolling out this week. Most of the changes are a part of the company's shift to its Material Design 3 standards. You can expect different buttons, new fonts, and a focus on legibility.

SEE ALSO: How to share your Google calendar

Google wrote about changes were:

• Controls (like buttons, dialogs, and sidebars) that are more modern and accessible

• Interface typography that uses Google’s custom-designed and highly-legible typefaces 

• Iconography that is legible and crisp, with a fresh feel 

Of course, there's dark mode, which many people prefer for battery conservation and eye strain. The dark mode option is available in the settings icon at the top-right corner of your Google Calendar, under the "Appearance" tab.

Google gave a preview of what the new calendar and dark mode options will look like.

Credit: Google Dark mode! Credit: Google

While the changes to Google Calendar might not be the most dramatic shifts in history, it's good to be ready for anything new in a tool you likely use daily.

SAVE $220: As of Oct. 24, get the 34-inch Alienware Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $679.99 at Dell. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Alienware Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $679.99 at Dell
$899.99 Save $220.00 Get Deal

A great monitor can completely transform your favorite games. When you can see everything in stunning detail, there's no screen tearing, and you've got the perfect blend of contrast and brilliant colors that highlight the game's graphics, you're enhancing your experience. Same goes with crazy colorful games – the better things look, the more fun you'll have since you're not bogged down wondering if you're missing out on the way things should look. And right now, you can snag a great price on a monitor that'll help you take your gaming sessions to the next level.

As of Oct. 24, you can get the 34-inch Alienware Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $679.99 from Dell. That's $220 off its normal price of $899 and a discount of 29%.

This behemoth of a monitor will take up plenty of desk real estate, but it's worth it for the immersion, given its curve. It boasts a 165Hz refresh rate via DisplayPort and 100Hz via HDMi, with AMD FreeSync and VESA AdaptiveSync options. With a 0.1 ms response time, you'll absolutely notice some improvements in how you play, too – that kind of speed can make all the difference between winning and losing in games like the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

You'll get a low-latency picture with tear-free gaming, smooth gameplay, and great-looking colors as well as darker shades thanks to the QD-OLED curved 1800 panel. Beyond that, the monitor is attractive on its own, with the iconic Alienware logo on the back and a supportive swiveling base that you can use to customize how your screen is angled and how it fits on your desk or table. It's high time for a splurge, so might as well grab this monitor while it's still available for this kind of price.

It's no secret that kids love Roblox, which has led to tons of parental concerns about child safety over the years. Now, the company behind the game is doing something about it.

Bloomberg reported that Roblox is adding enhanced child safety features sometime next month. These include new accounts for parents that allow them to see what their kids are getting up to online, as well as requirements for parental permission to access certain features or modes for players who are 13 or younger.

SEE ALSO: Google launches new gaming world for kids on Roblox

Put bluntly, these features may feel like too little, too late for some of Roblox's biggest critics. As a robust platform for game creation, Roblox has an essentially unlimited number of games and modes for players to mess around with, and inevitably, some of those are going to be inappropriate at best and actively exploitative at worst.

In just the latest of Roblox's many high-profile child safety-related problems, a woman arrested in Florida last week faces a deeply disturbing allegation that she coerced a 10 year-old into doing serious harm to a baby. There is, sadly, a long history of related cases. A 2022 lawsuit accused Roblox of allowing for a young girl to be sexually and financially exploited, for example. Sony, for its part, blocked Roblox from appearing on PlayStation consoles until recently over safety concerns.

But some child safety features are better than none.

A Boston man had a strange encounter at a subway station. A month later, he discovered he was the star of the students’ viral video.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 24: OUR TOP PICK Apple MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699.99 at Amazon (save $299.01) Get Deal BEST GAMING DEAL Amazon Luna wireless controller $49.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Google Pixel tablet (128GB) $274.99 at Amazon (save $124.01) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Beats Solo 4 $129 at Amazon (save $69.96) Get Deal

From Apple to Google, this week has brought us plenty of excellent deals on wishlist-worthy brands and products. And since we're still over a month out from Black Friday, we're welcoming the deals with open arms. If you're looking to partake in some early holiday shopping, we've got you covered with the best Amazon deals you can shop each day.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 24. If you missed out on our picks from earlier this week, be sure to take a look. Many of the deals from Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 are still available to add to your cart, including a pair of Sony headphones for under $40 and a coupon that drops the Fire TV Stick 4K Max to a record-low.

Our top pick Apple MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699.99 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $299.01 Get Deal

Want to upgrade your MacBook? You can do it on a budget if you opt for the 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air from 2022. Sure, it's not the latest and greatest MacBook on the market, but it's still a very solid laptop. Tech Reporter Alex Perry gave it the Mashable Choice Award badge of honor, praising its peppy M2 processor, rock-solid battery life, slim profile, and more than satisfying keyboard design. Not only did it get a permanent price drop back in March when the M3 made its debut, knocking its starting price down from $1,099 to $999, but Amazon also just knocked another $299.01 off as of Oct. 24. That brings the price down to a wallet-friendly all-time low of $699.99.

Read our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

Amazon Luna wireless controller $49.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

While we haven't had the honor, our buds at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested and reviewed the Amazon Luna controller and dubbed it "an excellent gamepad that provides the optimal Luna game-streaming experience." The real standout is its separate WiFi connection, which helps reduce input lag as you play. While technically an optional add-on for the Luna gaming experience, they called it a "must-have" and granted it an Editors' Choice award. It's regularly $69.99, but you can save $20 as of Oct. 24 and pick one up for only $49.99.

Google Pixel tablet (128GB) $274.99 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $124.01 Get Deal

Google's first attempt at a tablet went much better than its first attempt at a smartwatch. The specs aren't going to blow you away, but they're definitely acceptable; it packs a Google Tensor G2 chip with 8GB of RAM under its hood and 8MP cameras on the front and back, an 11-inch 2560 x 1600 display, and up to 12 hours of battery life per charge. It really shines when paired with the speaker dock (sold separately), which transforms it into a useful smart display or, as Mashable's Alex Perry called it, "a nifty little desktop TV." Regularly $399, you can grab the 128GB version on sale for just $274.99 as of Oct. 24.

Read our full review of the Google Pixel tablet.

Beats Solo 4 $129.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $69.96 Get Deal

While not as impressive as the 50% price drop they got on Prime Day, this 35% discount on the Beats Solo 4 is still pretty dang good. Just released earlier this year, the Beats Solo 4s improve upon the previous generation with upgraded drivers, rebalanced acoustics, and an improved frequency response. Translation: they pack more dynamic sound. They also have a better battery life, clocking in at about 50 hours (10 hours more than their predecessor). Our one qualm is the lack of noise-cancelling technology. At the sale price of $129.99, however, we're willing to overlook it.

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

SAVE $500: Shop the M3 MacBook Pro for $1,499 at Best Buy. That's $500 in savings for 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.00 at Apple
$1,999.00 Save $500.00 Get Deal

We've tested a lot of laptops here at Mashable, so we don't speak in hyperbole when we say something is the best. Whether you're in need of a cheap laptop or something that can handle heavy-duty video editing, we've got you covered. If you're in the market for the latter or maybe you've just been dragging your feet on upgrading your MacBook, Best Buy is delivering the ultimate deal on the best laptop for creatives.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, is on sale at Best Buy. It comes with hardware accelerated ray-tracing, elevating the display on graphics for a more realistic look. Plus, it has an 18% increase in power over the previous M2 model.

There are rumors that new MacBooks are coming next week that will have the M4 chip. We've seen what said chip can do in the iPad Pro, and are stoked to see the power it has in a MacBook. That being said, the M3 MacBook is still the best laptop we've seen from the fruit-brand and if you care more about savings than the newest tech, now is the time to shop.

Right now, get the MacBook Pro 14-inch model with M3 chip for just $1,499 at Best Buy. This laptop comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, plenty of power for photo editing, graphic design, and more. This deal saves you $500 for 25% off.