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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 1 hour 56 min ago

Edit PDFs with ease with app that costs just $25 for life

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: If you need a reliable PDF app, a PDF Converter Pro lifetime license is only $24.97 (reg. $99) until October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License $24.97
$99.99 Save $75.02 Get Deal

PDFs are common. Good PDF apps are not. Sure, Adobe has Acrobat, but Adobe apps aren't exactly cheap. 

Whether you’re a student juggling multiple assignments or a business professional needing to convert files for reports, if you need a low-cost PDF app, check out PDF Converter Pro. This all-in-one PDF app lets you convert PDF documents into various formats or manipulate PDFs as is, and you can get it for life for just $24.97 (reg. $99) — but not for much longer. 

What can PDF Converter Pro do?

Tired of convoluted app menus? PDF Converter Pro gives you a simple, user-friendly interface where you can convert or alter PDFs. You can change PDFs into editable Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, enabling seamless editing and sharing without losing the original layout or content. That means images, text, and hyperlinks are preserved, so you don’t have to worry about losing important details during the conversion process.

PDF Converter Pro’s built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is a game-changer, allowing you to extract text from image-based PDF documents. If you have any ancient, faded master copies lying around, you can finally scan them to make a new version that you can actually edit. Students, that means you can also scan your readings and turn them into searchable documents. 

This all-in-one PDF app even lets you edit existing PDFs with tools for merging and splitting, extracting images, and compressing files to reduce their size without sacrificing quality.

On sale but not for much longer

October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for just $24.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Save 30% with a water flosser deal that will impress your dentist

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:59

SAVE $21.04: As of Oct.25, the Waterpik Pearl Water Flosser is on sale at Amazon for $48.95. This is a 30% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Waterpik Waterpik Pearl Water Flosser $48.95 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.04 Get Deal

Water flossers are having their moment, and that's not a bad thing. After trending on TikTok, we can only imagine that dentists are all taking a huge sigh of relief that we're finally taking flossing seriously.

A water dental flosser is a fantastic way to remove plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas between teeth and along the gum line, and as of Oct. 25 you can score a great deal on the Waterpik Pearl Water Flosser at Amazon. Reduced by 40%, it's now $48.95 down from $69.99. This deal is specific to the White model, however you can snag the Black flosser for just $49.99.

SEE ALSO: The best water flosser for cleaning up your oral hygiene

This is a great all-rounder water flosser, featuring four tips for a variety of dental needs, a rechargeable battery, and a portable design that makes it handy for travel. Waterpik is also the first water flosser brand to earn the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for safety and effectiveness.

This flosser works by using PrecisionPulse technology to deliver a combination of water pressure and pulsations, removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums. This helps reduce the risk of issues such as gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath.

This deal is only available for a limited time at Amazon, so don't miss out.

Liven up your next party with this sweet-sounding karaoke machine deal

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:54

SAVE $12: As of Oct.25, the YLL Mini Karaoke Machine is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. That's a 32% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: YLL YLL Mini Karaoke Machine $24.99 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

Whether you partake or observe, you have to admit, karaoke can give you some of the funniest memories and the best nights. Is there anything better than embarrassing yourself in a room full of strangers? Yes, watching your loved ones embarrass themselves in a room full of strangers.

But for those times when you're feeling the need to burst into song alone, judgment-free at home, or you want to liven up your next party, you need the YLL Mini Karaoke Machine.

A stylish, portable machine that you can take to your friend's house or your next family gathering, the two-microphoned machine is ideal for a night full of laughs. And as of Oct. 25, it's on sale at Amazon for just $24.99. This deal is specific to the Pink, Two Mics model, but there are discounts available on all product variations.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your sound system for less with this powerful soundbar deal

The microphones are wireless, connected to the speaker via an advanced digital signal processor, so if you feel the need to spontaneously burst into dance, the space is your dancefloor. Connect your phone or other device to the speaker via Bluetooth, so you can sing along to your top songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer.

When the party really gets going, enjoy the colorful LED lights that flash in beat to the music. Who needs stage lighting? You can even alter your voice with different effects including monster, baby voice, male voice, and female voice. And don't worry, the party won't stop because of battery issues, this little machine has a battery life of 5-10 hours, with fast charging.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so be quick so you don't miss out.

Upgrade your sound system for less with this powerful soundbar deal

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:48

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 25, the Ultimea 5.1 Surround Sound System is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% saving on the original list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimea Ultimea 5.1 Virtual Surround Sound System $99.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for a new sound system, you'll find some great offerings at Amazon. And we love this incredible deal on the Ultimea 5.1 Surround Sound System, currently reduced by 50% on list price.

As of Oct. 25, you can treat yourself to this epic sound system for just $99.99. This bundle includes a 5.1-channel TV soundbar, two rear speakers, and one subwoofer to bring you a truly amazing cinematic experience. A 19.6-foot cable is used to connect speakers to the subwoofer so you can place surround sound speakers anywhere in your room.

SEE ALSO: The best soundbars for upgrading your home entertainment

If you're a sound connoisseur, this system uses SurroundX technology to convert 2.0 PCM to a 5.1 surround signal, making sound travel dynamically around you. It also uses aerospace-grade magnets to ensure precise and clear surround sound.

To deliver rich, powerful bass, the system integrates BASSMX technology, an enhanced magnetic circuit, and a larger cabinet. You can even adjust the bass and surround settings for a personalized listening experience. You’ll also find tailored audio modes for movies, dialogue, and music, all easily changed with a single button on the remote.

This is only a limited-time deal at Amazon, so be quick so you don't miss out.

'Venom: The Last Dance' mid-credits scene, explained

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:00

The title Venom: The Last Dance suggests this wacky and wild Spider-Man spin-off franchise could be coming to a close. However, much of this sequel (too much even) is devoted to setting up a big bad dead set on wiping the symbiote out of existence. So, barring a box office bomb on par with Morbius or Madam Web, it seems Venom 4 could rise. And the mid-credits scene for this third entry into this freaky franchise lays out how.

Written and directed by Venom: Let There Be Carnage scribe Kelly Marcel, Venom: The Last Dance unveils Knull, a big bad who doesn't really get a chance to shine. But there are clues early on he's being set up to wreak havoc.

In an early scene in the film, a frustrated bartender (Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández) is explaining to Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) about the terrors galactic titan Thanos brought down on the MCU's timeline. Then Eddie and Venom (also played by Hardy) get jettisoned back to their own dimension. Could this conversation be a hint of what's to come back on Eddie's home planet?

Who is Knull?

Both in the comics and Venom: The Last Dance, Knull is the creator of the symbiote. Depicted in the movie as a gray figure with long locks and a grumbling voice, this ancient god of darkness saw his creations turn on him and imprison him. And he's ready to get them back for their betrayal.

First, he sends out his monstrous xenophages, giant bug-like beasts who can track the codex key that could free Knull's binds. Ultimately, Venom manages to keep him bound through a grand act of self-sacrifice. But the post-credits scene suggests this wily symbiote might resurrect. And the mid-credits scene promises Knull isn't out of the fight yet either.

What's the mid-credits scene inVenom: The Last Dance?

If you stay through the playful montage of various Venom-animal combinations, you'll see Knull once more on his throne, grumbling about his quest to take down his symbiote children once and for all.

Andy Serkis plays Knull, which might seem like a cheeky Easter egg as he directed Venom: Let There Be Carnage. However, Serkis is a pioneer in mo-cap acting, bringing to life Caesar in the recent Planet of the Apes movies and Gollum in the Lord of the Rings film franchise. So, if Marcel is bringing in this heavy hitter to play her CGI villain, you can bet Sony has big plans for Knull.

In fact, in an interview with Games Radar, Marcel said of Knull, "[He's] way too big to be one and done. So, [his role in The Last Dance] is just a little introduction to him. It's just a kind of taster of where he might potentially be able to go with his own movies, in the same way that they introduced Thanos very carefully through the Marvel movies." 

There it is. The Thanos allusion is confirmed. Watch out, Eddie. Your war is just beginning.

Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.

'Venom: The Last Dance' post-credits scene, explained

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:00

Venom: The Last Dance promises in its tagline "Til Death Do They Part." But is Sony really ready to end the adventures of their most popular Spider-Man villain? That seems unlikely when Madame Web and Morbius failed to catch on. And if you're wondering how Eddie Brock and Venom can go on after that world-rocking ending, look no further than the post-credits scene.

In the third Venom entry, a new problem is foisted upon Eddie and Venom (both played by Tom Hardy). They discover they carry a codex that could be the key to free Knull, a ruthless villain older than time itself. Determined to escape his throne/prison, Knull (Andy Serkis) unleashes deadly xenophages upon the earth to hunt the codex down, whatever the it takes. In a heroic move, Venom destroys the codex at great personal cost. But then what?

Well, the mid-credits scene promises this may have worked to shut Knull down for now. But it's not the last we'll see of this grumbling extraterrestrial warlord. What other questions are addressed in the post-credits scene?

What happened to the bartender from Ted Lasso? Cristo Fernández and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star in "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Screenshot / YouTube

Cristo Fernández first popped up as a bewildered bartender in the mid-credits of Spider-Man: No Way Home. There, he tried to explain to an incredulous Eddie the horrors of Thanos' genocidal snap. But before Eddie can make sense of all that, he got snapped back to his dimension. That scene is recreated in Venom: The Last Dance, with Eddie and Venom popping into a similar bar where the bartender is also played by Cristo Fernández. This poor guy not only witnesses the drunken symbiote make a mess of his bar while trying to make a cocktail, he also gets abducted by the U.S. military, simply because he's a witness to the strange wonder that is Venom.

This bartender — who gets stun-gunned by order of solider Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) — is taken to Area 51, along with a sample of Venom's ooey-gooey flesh. While the film's finale shows Area 51 get razed, it's not clear what becomes of the handsome unnamed bartender. But the post-credits scene reveals his fate.

Cautiously coming out of a cavern, the bartender has survived the obliteration of Area 51. While around him lie the ruins of buildings and the corpses of various extraterrestrial and terrestrial beings, he runs for the hills. But he's not alone in this sun-beaten desert.

What's in the vial at the end of Venom: The Last Dance?

The post-credits scene ends on a small, broken glass vial lying in the dirt. Inside is a bit of purple glue that lets off a lighting-like spark of electricity. This is the shedding of the purple symbiote who joined with Dr. Teddy Payne (Juno Temple) to save her assistant Christmas (Clark Backo). This is a flickering reminder that there's still a powerful symbiote alive and kicking on Eddie's Earth. As shown by Teddy flexing her formerly paralyzed left hand, her symbiote is inside her and strengthening her. But what else might this shot mean?

Could it suggest the bartender's time with symbiotes is not over? After all, we saw in the white rapids scene how a symbiote can use various hosts to leapfrog across a rough terrain.

The key to Venom's return is in The Last Dance's post-credits scene.

Sure, Venom sacrifices himself to destroy the codex that had Knull chasing Eddie. In doing so, he saves his friend and the Earth. But is that really the end for Venom? Eddie's tip for the bartender in the opening sequence suggests not. When he leaves a coin on the bar, a closer look reveals he's also left behind a bit of Venom's slippery black goo.

Strickland takes both man and symbiote back to Area 51. And if that bartender, with his very penetrable human flesh, could make it out of there alive, it seems certain Venom's shedding could too.

The glint of that vial in the end may have been purple, suggesting it might be Agony, not Venom. But it is nonetheless a remind that Venom's shedding might also have survived the explosion and escaped its glass bonds. And we did see a cockroach scurrying about. Could that shiny black bug be how Venom begins his long trek back to Eddie?

For now, all we can do is speculate. But here's hoping Venom 4 will bring the big guy back, wild as ever.

Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.

'Venom: The Last Dance' ending, explained: What happened to [redacted]?

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 04:00

Did you walk out of Venom: The Last Dance with your head spinning, your heart racing, unsure how to feel? Well, welcome to feeling like Eddie Brock. And we hear you.

Sure, it's a pretty happy ending, all things considered. Writer/director Kelly Marcel even offers fans a finale montage of BFF moments between Eddie Brock and Venom (both played by Tom Hardy) set to sentimental music. It's a real Fast and Furious-style moment of macho reflection. But is this really —as the title promises — Eddie and Venom's last dance?

Following Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Venom: The Last Dance pitches these gruff but affable anti-heroes up against an array of obstacles and foes. While road-tripping on a half-assed mission to clear his name of a murder allegation, Eddie discovers he and Venom are being chased by an elite military squad, dedicated to locking them up in Area 51. They're also the key that could unlock an ancient evil upon the Earth, so the target on their backs is now multiverse-wide. Amidst battling extraterrestrial beasts and surly soldiers, they also need to keep their weirdness in check while bumming a ride from a relatively normal human family of van-living hippies.

But once the big battle has led to explosions and much death, what are we left to look forward to if there is to be another Venom-verse movie? Let's dig into it.

Obviously, spoilers below.

Venom flies in style. Credit: Sony Pictures Is Venom really dead?

In Venom: The Last Dance, Eddie discovers that because Venom brought him back from the dead on a past misadventure, they'd forged a codex. That convenient MacGuffin works as a key that could unlock the merciless Knull, who once ruled over the symbiotes until they locked him up and ran away from his prison.

To retrieve this codex/key, Knull (Andy Serkis) sends out his version of hunting dogs — gigantic, scorpion-like creatures called xenophages — to Earth. These gnarly monsters can track the codex, but only when Venom fully takes over Eddie's body. Of course, as established in Let There Be Carnage, Venom doesn't like being kept in the Eddie closet!

SEE ALSO: Surprise! Venom is the superhero who defines this pandemic moment

However, the codex will vanish if Eddie or Venom die, meaning Knull's escape plan would be foiled. For soldier Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the answer to avoiding alien invasion and Earth's annihilation is simple: execution.

Initially, Eddie and Venom reject this annihilation option, teaming up with hordes of freed symbiotes and scientists to try to battle back the xenophages. But in the end, Venom realizes there's only one way to keep his friend — and the planet he loves — safe. So, using his powers, his shiny shapeshifting sludge ropes in all the attacking xenophages, dragging them to what is essentially a matter-melting acid shower. With the help of Strickland, Venom sacrifices himself to save Eddie. But is he really gone?

The movie would have you think so, ending with Eddie in New York City, where he'd promised to take Venom. In a bittersweet moment, he bids farewell to his friend while looking at the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of welcome to aliens arriving in this storied city. But hey, remember that first sequence in the bar in Mexico?

When tipping the bartender (Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández), Venom shed a little bit of himself on the coin he left behind. When Strickland recovers this "shedding," the soldier notes this is how the species survives. The sample is then taken to Area 51, where it's placed under the care of Dr. Teddy Payne (Ted Lasso's Juno Temple). In the ensuing battle between symbiotes and xenophages, it's not totally clear what happens to the tiny glass vial holding Venom's shedding. But there could be an answer in the post-credits scene.

What's the deal with Dr. Teddy Payne and Agony? Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, and Clark Backo in Columbia Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Laura Radford / Sony Pictures

It seems Marcel is combining some characters from the comics. There, Dr. Thaddeus Paine is a Venom foe who ironically can feel no physical pain, but conducts inhumane experiments on others who definitely can. In The Last Dance, Teddy Payne seems to be a gender-swapped spin on the character. Or perhaps Teddy's twin brother — struck down by lightning in their youth — was this dimension's Theodore? In either case, the movie's version of Payne doesn't seem a villain at all. She is very empathetic to the symbiotes in her care, and eventually joins their ranks.

In the finale, Teddy watches her colleagues either be swept up by symbiotes or volunteer to join them in the battle against the xenophages. But she has something up her sleeve, or, well, in her pocket. When it seems her assistant nicknamed "Christmas" (Clark Backo) is at risk of death by fiery explosion, Teddy breaks the glass vial she'd pocketed, which contains a small, purple symbiote. Immediately overtaking her body, it appears she becomes Agony, a symbiote who has feminine curves, purple skin, and long, flowing hair. Agony has the same enhanced strength, impenetrability, and speed of her brother Venom. Plus, this purple symbiote also has lightning powers, making her unique — and tying back to Teddy's tragic past.

Though many of the other symbiotes introduced for the climactic fight are wiped out, Agony slithers back into Teddy at the end of the battle. And we can tell her influence remains by the fact that Teddy's left arm, formerly paralyzed from her childhood brush with death and lightning, can now move and flex without issue. What will this mean, should there be a Venom 4? Will Agony and Teddy Payne be allies to Eddie and Venom? Will they be enemies? Will they double-date?

We're eager to find out.

Has Knull been defeated for good?

No. But that's a matter for a mid-credits explainer.

What happened to Cristo Fernández's bartender?

Well, that's definitely a matter for a post-credits explainer.

Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.

Are you ready for Apple's Mac week?

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 03:02

Apple is launching new Macs next week.

While we already sort of knew that, based on numerous reports and a leaked MacBook Pro, Apple's SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak made it official by pre-announcing the announcements on X.

"Mac (😉) your calendars! We have an exciting week of announcements ahead, starting on Monday morning," he wrote. "Stay tuned…"

Tweet may have been deleted

A whole week of Apple announcements sounds swell, though one of those announcements could simply be Apple's earnings results, which are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31.

Still, this style of hyping up product launches before they happen is new for Apple, which typically either hosts a big event in which it shows all the new products, or simply drops the products via a newsroom post (as the company recently did with the iPad mini).

SEE ALSO: The real AI update: Apple launches iOS 18.2 developer beta

So what's coming next week? M4 MacBook Pro devices are nearly certain, and a redesigned Mac mini and iMac (also with an M4 chip inside) are very likely. But given how Joswiak is framing this as a "week" of announcements, perhaps the company has more in stock? We'll (start to) find out on Monday.

Pho Restaurant drops trademark on 'pho' after TikTok outrage

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 02:56

Pho Restaurant has given up its trademark on the Vietnamese word "pho" after receiving widespread international condemnation online. After almost two decades, Vietnamese businesses in the UK are finally able to have "pho" in their names without risking legal reprisal.

As per the UK's Intellectual Property Office, Pho Restaurant filed a request to surrender its trademark on the word "pho" this Monday. The process was officially completed two days later on Wednesday, meaning the Vietnamese word is now free and available for all businesses in the UK to use.

SEE ALSO: Restaurant chain which trademarked 'pho' responds to TikTok backlash

Pho Restaurant's trademark surrender was first reported by Daily Mail's Femail, with a spokesperson telling them that the chain had "been listening to the comments from the past week" and "understand[s] the concerns that have been raised." 

Vietnamese TikTok creator iamyenlikethemoney confirmed the news as well, stating that Pho Holdings Ltd. informed her that it had filed to surrender its trademark. The controversy was initially brought to many TikTok users' attention via one of her videos, which has 2.7 million views at time of writing. She stated in a subsequent video that she'd reached out to ask Pho Restaurant to drop their trademark.

"This was a community effort," iamyenlikethemoney said in her latest TikTok on the matter. "I truly believe in the power of community. Every single comment, every single video that was produced on this matter has helped us in reaching the goal of dropping the trademark of 'pho'."

The uproar surrounding the UK restaurant chain began earlier this month, after TikTok users became aware that the white-founded business held the trademark to the Vietnamese word "pho." Pho Restaurant trademarked the words "PHO," "Pho," and "pho" in 2007, and even threatened legal action against at least one Vietnamese business for using the word in 2013.

Social media outrage caused Pho Restaurant to back down at the time, though it still retained its legal grip on the word "pho." Now almost a decade later, this issue is finally being rectified. It seems as though this time the fury was loud enough that Pho Restaurant couldn't just wait it out or explain it away.

"We did it," said iamyenlikethemoney. "I hope they learn from their mistakes."

How to watch Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud online for free

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 01:00

TL;DR: Live stream Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League for free on 10Play. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Saudi Pro League brings together some of the best players in the world, and that list very much includes Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian winger currently stars for Al Ahli, but even with his talent, The Royals have struggled to climb the standings this season.

Al Ahli will be looking to move up from seventh in the standings against Al Akhdoud, a team languishing near the foot of the table.

If you want to watch Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud?

Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 25. This fixture takes place at King Abdullah Sports City.

How to watch Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud for free

Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League is available to live stream for free on 10Play.

10Play is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Saudi Pro League from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit 10Play

  5. Live stream Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Saudi Pro League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 10Play?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 10Play, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Al Ahli vs. Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League for free with ExpressVPN.

Mini crossword answers for October 25

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 00:02

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 25 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Friday, October 25, 2024:

AcrossInbox filler
  • The answer is Spam.

Garage occupant
  • The answer is Auto.

Twelve dozen
  • The answer is Gross.

Musical TV show
  • The answer is Glee.

"If all ____ fails..."
  • The answer is Else.

DownHang loosely
  • The answer is Sag.

When all crime is legal for 12 hours
  • The answer is Purge.

Bikini, e.g.
  • The answer is Atoll.

Said to have parted the Red Sea
  • The answer is Moses.

Witness
  • The answer is See.

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.

You can get Xbox GamePass Ultimate for £9.37 a month for up to 15 months

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Through 27 October, you can grab 3-month stackable GamePass Ultimate memberships for only £28.12 (reg. £39.28). Customers can buy up to five passes, scoring access to hundreds of games for just £9.37 per month.

It's a pill that's hard to swallow, but games are definitely not getting any cheaper. Any Xbox user knows the pain of a hobby that now demands an arm and a leg, with new titles averaging around £54 each. If you're on a limited budget, it's simply not sustainable to shell out that much every time you want to try out a new game — not unless you have Xbox GamePass Ultimate.

Every gamer's favorite hack, GamePass Ultimate is a subscription service that nets you unlimited access to a wide repository of games, updated regularly with shiny new titles. A subscription normally costs £13.09 a month, but through 27 October, you can score a 3-month stackable code for just £28.12, or £9.37 per a month. You can stack up to five codes in total for up to 15 months of access.

With this Xbox GamePass Ultimate deal, you'll never be stuck replaying the same old games. A subscription nets you unfettered access to over 500 high-quality games, playable on your console, PC, phone, or tablet. Fresh titles are added on a regular basis, including day-one releases, allowing you to be the first to play new favorites. Recent releases include Starfield, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

GamePass Ultimate features cloud gaming, so you can play your games regardless of the device you're using. You also get premium member benefits, deals, and discounts for even more savings. And if that wasn’t enough, you get a free EA Play membership. That means you get to revel in franchises like The Sims, Madden, and Battlefield, plus save 10% on EA digital purchases.

Why fork out £54 on a single game when you can play hundreds for way less? Through 27 October, grab a 3-month GamePass Ultimate stackable code for only £28.12. Just be sure to redeem your code within seven days of purchase.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: 3-Month Membership - Stackable & Global - (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows - Digital Code) £28.12 at the Mashable Shop
£39.28 Save £11.16 Get Deal

How to watch Benetton vs. Bulls online for free

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Benetton vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The United Rugby Championship is looking particularly competitive this season, with a number of teams battling it out at the top of the standings. One of those teams is the Blue Bulls, currently sat in fourth position after three wins from four games. Next for the South African side is a visit to Benetton.

If you want to watch Benetton vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Benetton vs. Bulls?

Benetton vs. Bulls starts at 7:35 p.m. BST on Oct. 25. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

How to watch Benetton vs. Bulls for free

Benetton vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on TVNZ+ from any location.

Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit TVNZ+

  5. Live stream Benetton vs. Bulls for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Benetton vs. Bulls (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the United Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

  • 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 of coverage for free — 49% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Benetton vs. Bulls for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr online for free

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League for free on 10Play. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Saudi Pro League has plenty of interesting storylines, but most fans are only interested in watching Cristiano Ronaldo. The footballing icon just keeps on going, most recently scoring a last-minute penalty to secure a victory over Al-Shabab.

Ronaldo's Al Nassr take on Al Kholood in the next Saudi Pro League fixture. Al Nassr need to keep winning to keep pace with Al-Hilal at the top of the standings.

If you want to watch Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr?

Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League kicks off at 11:05 a.m. ET on Oct. 25. This fixture takes place at King Abdullah Sports City.

How to watch Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr for free

Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League is available to live stream for free on 10Play.

10Play is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Saudi Pro League from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit 10Play

  5. Live stream Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Saudi Pro League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 10Play?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 10Play, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Al Kholood vs. Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League for free with ExpressVPN.

Hurdle hints and answers for October 25

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 23:55

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.

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

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 23:51

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.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 25, 2024

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 23:41

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 25

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 23:30

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 25

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 22:00

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.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 25

Thu, 10/24/2024 - 21:00

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.

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