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Updated: 6 min 49 sec ago

The best October Prime Day gaming deals: We found PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox deals worth grabbing now

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00
The best October Prime Day gaming deals: Best video game deal Starfield (Standard Edition PS5) $40.33 (save $9.66) Get Deal Best console deal Nintendo Switch (Renewed) $199 (save $140) Get Deal Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 $219.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best gaming headset deal HyperX Cloud III S $113.99 (save $66) Get Deal Best gaming keyboard deal Razer BlackWidow V4 X $84.99 (save $45) Get Deal Best gaming mouse deal Razer Basilisk V3 $34.98 (save $35.01) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day is here, and the gaming deals are getting better with each day. We’re seeing decent price cuts on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox games, as well as cheaper consoles, gaming monitors, headsets, mice, keyboards, and other setup upgrades for the Oct. 6 through 7 sale.

Our top picks include a sub-$200 renewed Nintendo Switch, the best deal on Starfield on PS5, and sizeable savings on gaming gear from HyperX, Samsung, Razer, and more.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 live: Updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Kindles, and Yeti coolers

These are the best gaming deals live right now.

Best video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Starfield (Standard Edition PS5) $40.33 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $9.66 discount with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

Starfield only made the jump to PS5 in April, and the Standard Edition is already at a sizable discount. The game is currently listed at $47.31 (usually $49.99), but an on-page coupon drops it to $40.33 at checkout — for a saving of $9.66 in total. This is the full base game rather than a trimmed-down edition, giving you Bethesda’s huge sci-fi RPG with deep character customization, ship building, and over 1,000 planets to explore.

More Prime Day video game deals

PS5

Nintendo Switch

Xbox

Best console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo/Amazon Renewed Store Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Red Joy-Con (Renewed) $199 at Amazon
$339 Save $140   Get Deal Why we like it

The standard Nintendo Switch is still hovering above $300, but Amazon Renewed is once again offering a much cheaper way into the platform. The Neon Blue and Red Joy-Con model is down to $199 in refurbished "Excellent" condition, saving $140 on its $339 list price.

You’ll need to be fine with some light cosmetic wear, but you’re still getting the full 6.2-inch Switch experience with detachable Joy-Con and handheld, tabletop, and docked TV play for plenty of both first-party Nintendo and third-party multiplatform games.

Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) Series QHD Gaming Monitor $219.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $130   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Finding a 32-inch 1440p panel from a top-tier brand for around $200 is nothing to scoff at. You're getting a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, plus G-Sync and FreeSync support to keep fast-paced action smooth and free of screen tearing. It also comes with a height-adjustable ergonomic stand right out of the box, so you can pivot, tilt, and swivel to your setup's needs — a practical feature most budget displays cut to trim costs.

More gaming monitor deals Best gaming headset deal Opens in a new window Credit: HyperX HyperX Cloud III S – Wireless Gaming Headset for Multi-Platform $113.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $66.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The HyperX Cloud III S is a wireless upgrade at $129.99, down $50 from its $179.99 list price — that's its lowest-ever price on Amazon (confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel). In exchange, you’re getting up to 120 hours of battery life over 2.4GHz, or as much as 200 hours through Bluetooth, alongside 53mm angled drivers and HyperX’s memory foam cushioning. It also works on PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and mobile devices, with both USB-A and USB-C connectors included for easier switching between platforms.

More gaming headset deals Best gaming keyboard and mouse deals Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $84.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Basilisk V3 $34.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a top-tier wired mouse at half off makes the Razer Basilisk V3 an easy pick. It has 11 programmable buttons, a smart scroll wheel that toggles between tactile clicks and free-spin scrolling, and a thumb rest shaped for long gaming sessions.

If you're upgrading your keyboard too, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X has real tactile mechanical switches instead of those squishy membrane keys. It includes six dedicated macro keys, custom RGB lighting for each key, and a physical volume roller right above the number pad, so you don't have to tab out of your game to tweak audio.

More keyboard and mouse deals

Prime members only have 48 hours to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.

Loads of Amazon device deals are live for October Prime Day: Fire TVs, Echo speakers, and more

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00
The best October Prime Day Amazon device deals: Best Echo Device Deal Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024 model) 169.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 $72.99 (save $82) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $32) Get Deal Best TV Deal Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV $279.99 (save $180) Get Deal best blink camera deal Blink Outdoor 2K+ with free Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ $34.99 (save $134.99) Get Deal Best eero deal Amazon eero Pro 7 $224.99 (save $75) Get Deal Best Deal Under $25 Amazon Smart Plug $12.98 (save $12.01) Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days (aka October Prime Day) has come in hot, and with it, a smorgasbord of discounts on Amazon devices. The annual 48-hour sale runs from today through Oct. 7 and presents the perfect opportunity to kickstart your holiday shopping.

It's no surprise Amazon offers the biggest markdowns on its own devices. And since Amazon increased prices across its hardware range by as much as 60% last month, this year's October Prime Day sale couldn't come at a better time.

Amazon has marked down nearly all of its products. Just a week after Amazon released 2026 models of Kindles, the retailer dropped prices on 2024 Kindle models. Plus, you can save up to 50% on the Echo Dot, but the new Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio are also on sale. We've found savings on Fire tablets, Blink cameras, Fire TV streaming sticks and soundbars, Fire TVs, and eero devices, too.

Plus, don't forget about Amazon's subscription deals for Prime newcomers, which are already live:

We're tracking all the best Amazon device deals throughout the Prime Big Deal Days sale, so keep checking back for the best live offers — or pick up a bargain before the devices sell out.

Best Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's Echo devices are officially on sale for Prime Big Deal Days. Right now, grab the Amazon Echo Dot for just $39.99. While that's not the lowest sale price we've ever spotted on the Echo Dot, it's the best we've seen since Amazon increased prices on its devices.

The Echo Dot is a perfectly compact smart speaker. Plus, it's compatible with Alexa+, a smarter home assistant that helps you do everything from meal planning to booking dinner reservations.

More Echo device dealsBest Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024 model) $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

The best deal to shop is on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. In August 2026, the e-reader's MSRP rose to $249.99 from its previous list price of $199.99. Now, the Paperwhite Signature Edition has dropped back down to $169.99. That's 32% off its new list price, saving you $80 on the e-reader.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is my favorite e-reader, the one I use every day. With 32GB of storage, it has space for thousands of books. It also has an auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging capabilities. It's exceptionally fast, too, as it never stutters when opening books or turning pages.

If you want to save $20, you could go for the standard Paperwhite, but right now, the Signature Edition is the better savings.

Plus, when you buy a new Kindle, make sure to include three months of Kindle Unlimited in your purchase because it's totally free (a $35.97 value).

More Kindle dealsBest Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Get Deal Why we like it

While it's hardly a new device, the Fire HD 10 tablet is still a solid pick for anyone who just wants a tablet to stream shows, check emails, and browse social media. Mashable's reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker called it "lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." Compared to other well-known tablets, she also adds that it's an "excellent value." It's not going to knock your socks off, but it'll get the job done and won't break the bank — especially now that it's on sale for only $72.99, a full 53% off its list price.

More Fire tablet dealsBest Fire TV Stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $32   Get Deal Why we like it

The entire Fire TV Stick lineup was affected by the August price hike, so we're surprised that the discounts are still at pre-hike levels. Prime members can score the 4K Select for only $17.99, which is 64% in savings.

The 4K Select is Amazon's newest 4K Fire TV Stick with HDR10+ support and the first to feature its new Linux-based operating system. That means a few things: it's speedier and more streamlined than older Fire Sticks, but also more limited. If you like sideloading apps, this streaming stick won't let you (go with the 4K Plus instead). It also offers support for Alexa+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN.

More Fire TV dealsBest Amazon Fire TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $180   Get Deal Why we like it

This TV strikes just the right balance between features and value. It's big enough and boasts a good-enough display, yet thanks to a 39% discount, it still qualifies as a budget TV. Even as smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and virtually everything else have gotten more expensive, flat-screen TVs have gotten significantly less expensive over the last five years. And as part of Prime Big Deal Days, this one's even cheaper.

If you want to upgrade to a QLED display or save even more money, you can find a ton more discounts thanks to October Prime Day deals on Amazon devices.

More Amazon Fire TV dealsBest Blink camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor XR+ and Wired Doorbell 2K+ Bundle $41.99 at Amazon
$169.98 Save $127.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Who doesn't love free stuff? This October Prime Day deal bundles the Blink Outdoor XR+ camera with the Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+, providing 75% off. That's a total savings of $127.99.

If you're looking to enhance your home security but don't want to spend a fortune, this bundle is an excellent start. You'll get sharp 2K video and a reliable connection.

More Blink camera dealsBest Eero deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero Pro 7 $224.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $75   Get Deal Why we like it

If your WiFi is laggy, it may be a good time to invest in an Amazon Eero system. For Prime Big Deal Days, the Eero Pro 7 Mesh WiFi router is down to $224.99, which is $75 cheaper than usual. It supports over 200 devices, internet plans up to 5 Gbps, and covers up to 2,000 square feet, helping to optimize your connection and eliminate dead spots. Even if you're not a tech guru, it's a breeze to set up thanks to Eero's step-by-step guide in the app.

More Eero dealsOne more thing: Amazon smart plug Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $12.98 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $12.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you have some money left over on an Amazon gift card, we know just what to do with it — add this Amazon Smart Plug to your cart while it's almost 50% off for Prime Big Deal Days. Turn any lamp or electronic into a smart device. All you have to do is plug it in.

More Amazon smart home deals

Best October Prime Day robot vacuum deals: Prices start at $85

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00
The best Prime Day robot vacuum deals: Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal Roborock Q10 S5+ Robot Vacuum $249.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best Entry-Level Robot Vacuum Deal Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop $229.99 (save $220) Get Deal Best Midrange Robot Vacuum Deal Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop $569.96 (save $430.03) Get Deal Best Premium Robot Vacuum Deal Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $749.99 (save $750) Get Deal

October Prime Day robot vacuum deals now start at $85.48, and prices have dropped further on several models since our earlier check. The Roborock Q7 L5 vacuum and mop combo is down to $119.99, while the self-emptying Shark AI Ultra is $249.99.

SEE ALSO: The 135+ best October Prime Day deals: We found record prices on Apple, Bose, Lego, and Sony favorites

Amazon’s sale runs through Oct. 7, and we’re updating this roundup with the latest prices. Below, we explain what each featured model takes off your cleaning list — and what still needs your attention — with hands-on findings from Mashable’s reviews where available.

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal Roborock Q10 S5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop $249.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

A self-emptying dock is convenient until it sounds like a jet engine every time the robot comes home. In Mashable’s hands-on testing, our former robot vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, found the Roborock Q10 S5+ notably quiet, including when it emptied its dustbin. Its compact dock also makes it worth considering if you don’t have much floor space to spare.

SEE ALSO: My cats and I found the 8 best vacuums for pet owners, from powerful hair pickup to livestream cameras

This model delivers pressurized sonic mopping and quick, accurate LiDAR mapping, making it a useful option for maintaining hard floors without paying for a more elaborate mop-washing station.

The catch: its dock doesn’t wash the mopping pad, which got dirty quickly in testing, and edge mopping wasn’t its strongest suit. You’re getting quieter cleaning and self-emptying convenience, not a maintenance-free machine.

Best entry-level robot vacuum deal Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop $442.95 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Shark Matrix Plus combines vacuuming, sonic mopping, and a self-emptying base without stepping up to a more elaborate mop-washing station. Its LiDAR mapping lets you send it to specific rooms and set no-go zones in the SharkClean app, while the bagless base handles dustbin emptying.

The important distinction is what happens after mopping: You still have to clean the pad and refill the water tank yourself. That makes it a more practical option for occasional hard-floor cleanup than for someone expecting a robot to handle the entire mopping routine.

SEE ALSO: The Shark vs. Roomba debate is still boring, despite both brands trying to expand their vacuum lineups

This is also an older model, so the discount matters. Mashable’s tested buying guide dropped it from its main recommendations as newer budget robots became more capable. Compare its current price with the Roborock Q10 S5+ above before deciding which compromises are worth making.

Best midrange robot vacuum deal Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop $569.96 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $430.03   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Eufy E25 is worth considering if washing dirty mop pads is the chore you’re trying to avoid. Its roller mop rinses itself with clean water as it works, and the station handles dustbin emptying, mop washing and drying, and water refilling. That’s the meaningful upgrade over a simpler vacuum-and-mop combo.

It also offers advertised 20,000 Pa suction, brushes designed to reduce hair tangles, and an extending arm for cleaning along edges. Those features give it a broader cleaning toolkit, though they shouldn’t be mistaken for hands-on proof that it will remove every stubborn stain.

Choose it for the automated mop maintenance. If you only need occasional mopping, compare its price with the cheaper models before paying for a station you may not use often.

Best premium robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $800.47 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $699.52   Get Deal Why we like it

The Roborock Qrevo CurvX addresses two frustrations that cheaper robots don’t always solve: reaching underneath low furniture and getting across thresholds between rooms. Its navigation sensor retracts when needed, while its lifting chassis helps it navigate changes in floor height. Measure your furniture clearance before making that the reason you buy.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum hits record-low price at Amazon — save $1,000

It also offers advertised 22,000 Pa suction and a dock that washes its mops with 176-degree Fahrenheit water before drying them with hot air.

This is the model to compare if furniture clearance and automated mop upkeep are priorities. If neither is a particular problem in your home, start with the lower-priced options instead.

More robot vacuum deals

Does Carrie contain a sneaky dig at Elon Musk?

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00

Carrie and Elon Musk aren't two things you would typically associate with one another, but given how Mike Flanagan's new adaptation of Stephen King's novel skewers the world of tech, their association in the series perhaps makes a little more sense.

Is the SpaceX founder named directly in the new Prime Video show? No. But there's one scene that feels almost like a veiled dig at him.

SEE ALSO: 'Carrie' review: Does Mike Flanagan's modern take on Stephen King's classic novel work?

The moment takes place in episode 3, when Carrie (Summer H. Howell) is leaving a party with Tommy (Joel Oulette), the former having sunk many more drinks than her designated driver. Before heading home, the two of them lie on their backs on the grass and look up at the night sky. Soon, they start talking about the stars.

Here's a transcript of their exchange:

Carrie: "When I was little my dad said wherever I went, I could always find my way home by the stars. And people used to just use the stars, back before the spy satellites and the GPS went up — all the bad stuff. It's just the stars. That's all you really need."

Tommy: "That's Mars. They say we're gonna go there one day. Imagine that. People on Mars."

Carrie: "It's amazing."

Tommy: "It's terrifying. I read all The Martian Chronicles. Space head, I guess. There's this amazing sentence in there: 'Earth men have a talent for ruining big and beautiful things.' Leave it alone, I say. Can't it be enough to just look?

Tommy is referring to Ray Bradbury's 1950 sci-fi novel The Martian Chronicles, in which Americans colonise an inhabited Mars after nuclear war demolishes Earth.

But outside of fiction, Musk has previously outlined his vision of sending a million humans to Mars by 2025. The SpaceX CEO has been speaking about sending people to the red planet for years. Given that Flanagan's 21s-century setting for the show makes it clear that Carrie's bullying is made worse by the presence of the internet and social media, it doesn't seem too much of a stretch to think this exchange might be a jab at the world's richest man's space-conquering desires — or at least a warning.

King himself almost certainly wouldn't mind — the horror author has been butting heads with Musk for years.

Carrie is streaming on Prime Video from Oct. 7.

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Stop wing­ing it with Claude — this bundle has 4 professional courses for just $19.99

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00

TL;DR: This $19.99 Claude AI Professional Skills bundle includes lifetime access to four courses, 9+ hours of practical training, and a CPD certificate for each course plus one for completing the full track.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpertEase Global Claude AI Professional Skills CPD Certification $19.99
$147 Save $127.01   Get Deal

You may know that Claude exists, but do you know how to make it useful at work? This Claude AI Professional Skills CPD Certification bundle is on sale for $19.99 (reg. $147), giving you lifetime access to four courses designed around things people might actually need to accomplish before 5 p.m.

The bundle comes from ExpertEase Global and packs 9+ hours of structured training into four areas: general workplace productivity, front-end web development, project management, and Excel pivot tables.

SEE ALSO: 21 early October Prime Day tech deals, hand-picked by our gadget-obsessed experts

Translation: you’re moving beyond asking Claude random questions and hoping you’ve discovered the secret to AI productivity.

The general workplace course starts with Claude from scratch and moves into automation, faster workflows, and business tasks without requiring coding. The web development course focuses on using Claude for real front-end design and build decisions.

Project managers get an entire course covering agile planning, cost control, scheduling, and PMO-level tasks, rather than a handful of disconnected AI tricks. And anyone spending too much quality time with Excel can learn to use Claude for pivot tables, charts, formulas, formatting, and data analysis.

There’s also something tangible to show for the time spent learning. Each of the four courses comes with a CPD completion certificate, and finishing the entire track earns another certificate. That turns the training into a verifiable professional development record rather than another collection of tutorials you watched and promptly forgot.

ExpertEase Global says its academy has reached more than 50,000 members and has a 4.4/5 instructor rating.

Get lifetime access to the Claude AI Professional Skills CPD Certification bundle for just $19.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Carries twisty ending, explained

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00

Well, that was a bit different from the book, wasn't it?

Mike Flanagan's adaptation of Carrie veers away from Stephen King's novel in a number of ways — the 21st century setting, for one — but nowhere is this more noticeable than in the series' closing moments.

So what happens, and what does it all mean? We've broken it down.

SEE ALSO: 'Carrie' review: Does Mike Flanagan's modern take on Stephen King's classic novel work? What happens at the end of Carrie?

Carrie is bookended by interviews with the survivors of Ewen High School's infamous prom night. In the show's opening episode we learn that Carrie wasn't the only one with powers at the doomed event, and in the final episode we find out exactly what happened. A woman that Carrie's mother Margaret (Samantha Sloyan) had met with earlier, who had killed her own power-wielding child, turns up to prom to assassinate Carrie. Meanwhile, three people (one played by Flanaverse go-to Ruth Codd) from a secret organisation of people with similar powers arrive to try and recruit/protect her. Presumably none of them realise quite how powerful Carrie is, though, meaning the party ends in bloodshed, fire, and the widespread destruction of the town of Chamberlain, Maine.

After hunting and killing her tormentors Chris (Alison Thornton) and Billy (Arthur Conti) by crushing them in their car post-blood bucket, Carrie returns home and confronts her mother a final time. Margaret tries to kill her daughter but Carrie stops her, destroying their house and trapping her in the wreckage before leaving with Emaline (Thalia Dudek), another teenager with powers who's been astral projecting into the school to befriend Carrie throughout the series.

The interviews we saw being carried out in the first episode? In one of the show's final twists, this turns out not to be a documentary or a police interrogation. The interviewer (Kate Siegel) is actually another person with powers, using her abilities to stop prom survivor Sue (Siena Agudong) from remembering what happened, before finally stopping a now-freed Margaret White's heart mid-interview.

Who is Emaline? Credit: Amazon

Emaline befriended Carrie earlier on in the show. It seemed at first they were just another high school student, an outsider who celebrated Carrie's weirdness (unlike most of Ewen High) and the one person Carrie could really open up to — most importantly, about her burgeoning powers. But then a twist at the end of episode 5 revealed Emaline to be invisible to everyone but Carrie. A figment of the troubled girl's traumatised mind? No! The finale reveals Emaline is, in fact, real. However, the version of Carrie was seeing at school was just an astral projection.

At this stage, we still don't know much about Emaline (when Carrie asks, their response is simply "I am your friend."). Given that they have a power, though, and are mentioned by Siegel's character, we can assume that they're part of the same group of people with powers.

Who is Kate Siegel's character?

Again, we don't know much about the mysterious interviewer (and Flanaverse favourite). But we do know that she's capable of willing a person to do her bidding via a voice they hear in their own mind, and that this voice is powerful enough to stop a person's heart. During her interview, when Margaret asks her if she has children, her response is "in a way". Our best bet is that she's a leader in the group of people with powers, which includes Emaline and the trio who come to Carrie's prom.

Her intention in carrying out the interviews appears to be to cover the group's tracks — she erases Sue's memory before murdering Margaret and making her death look like an accident.

Where is Carrie being taken?

The episode ends with Carrie being driven along an unnamed road by Emaline, who has apparently travelled a long way to fetch Carrie in person.

"I am escorting you to safety from the monsters on our heals," Emaline says, presumably referring to people like the woman that brought a gun to Carrie's prom. We don't know where exactly they're headed, but we can assume it's the base of operations where the people with powers operate.

Will there be a Carrie Season 2?

The setup is certainly there, and it sounds like something Flanagan has thought about too.

“In my dream scenario, I think it’s three seasons," Flanagan told Collider a while back. "In my dream scenario, I think Carrie has a wonderful three-step arc. It’s a trilogy, really.”

Based on the way the show ends, we can see how a Season 2 could focus on Carrie getting to grips with her powers at a kind of telekinetic training academy. But at the time of writing, nothing has been confirmed.

Carrie is streaming now on Prime Video.

Carrie reading list: Every library book Carrie picks has been banned

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:00

Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) never got to read that precious stack of library books, but you can. Even though every single one of them has been banned IRL.

In the second episode of Mike Flanagan's Carrie series, the Stephen King adaptation acknowledges other authors' work. Introduced to the school library by guidance counsellor Mr Morton (Tim Bagley), Carrie has one of her many Matilda moments, surrounded by the possibility of reading books other than the Bible — and the secret stash her neighbour (Naika Toussaint) leaves for her in the birdhouse.

SEE ALSO: 'Carrie' review: Does Mike Flanagan's modern take on Stephen King's classic novel work?

In episode 2, Carrie selects a collection of titles to read, and happily sits down to devour them. However, her mother (Samantha Sloyan) shows up at school, and her hopes of reading such material are dashed, due to her mother's religiously fundamentalist conservatism.

But what books are they? Well, Carrie has picked some of the most banned or challenged books of all time, which seems fitting for our oppressed adolescent heroine. And it's also a fate shared by Stephen King's own books, over 50 of which have been banned in multiple school districts across Florida.

Featured Video For You Andrew Garfield on the meaning of 'no kings' in 'The Uprising'

Book censorship in the U.S. is scarily still on the rise, and the systematic removal of titles in school libraries is becoming alarmingly normalised. Notably, most challenged or banned titles are "the result of targeted campaigns to remove books with characters of color, LGBTQ+ identities, and sexual content from public school classrooms and libraries," according to PEN America.

The fact that Carrie can read these books at all in Mike Flanagan's series is due to her school being located in Maine, however, the state is not free of book bans — Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer has been the most-challenged book in the state, having been removed from at least one school library.

Here's a list of the books Carrie selects:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Perhaps Tina Blake (Josie Totah) should actually read Maya Angelou's 1969 autobiography before quoting her in public meetings. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of the most regularly banned or challenged books of all time, and it's top of Carrie's list.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Carrie picks Malinda Lo's 2021 historical YA novel, the story of a Chinese American girl who explores her identity as a lesbian. Lo's books, including Last Night at the Telegraph Club, have been banned, challenged, or restricted in 16 states, and in 2025, it was one of the most banned books in America.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

I mean, a tale of female oppression, in part orchestrated by women in powerful positions, all in adherence to a fundamentalist, distorted version of Christianity. Why on Earth would Carrie be drawn to such a narrative? The Handmaid's Tale has been challenged and banned so many times Margaret Atwood released an "unburnable" edition, which is fitting for Carrie.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Grief? Teen relationships? A search for meaning? Carrie might have found solace in John Green's lauded (and heavily banned) 2005 YA novel. Looking for Alaska took the uncoveted crown of most challenged book of 2015 and remains one of the most regularly banned books in America.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

Ken Kesey's 1962 critique of psychiatric institutions sitting on Carrie's reading list has been the target of book bans since the '70s. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.

Now, want to read banned books for free? Mashable's got you covered.

Carrie is now streaming on Prime Video.

October Prime Day 2026 live: Updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Lego, Kindles, and Yeti coolers

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:28

Amazon is hosting its annual Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 6 and 7, and Mashable shopping experts are bringing you live updates on all of the best October Prime Day deals. If you're looking to restock on everyday essentials or desperately need some relief from this year's tech price hikes, then this is your chance to save some serious cash.

We know that shoppers are keeping an eye on the build-up to Black Friday, but this event has dropped deals in just about every category. In the lead-up and on the first day of the sale, we've seen price drops on Apple MacBooks, first-ever deals on new Bose headphones, and huge discounts on top TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, and TCL. Our shopping experts are ready to help you save, and we'll be cross-checking prices at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart to make sure you know where to find the lowest prices as we head into day two.

Keep scrolling for the full schedule of events and the latest Prime Day deals, live updates, price drops, low-stock alerts, and news from the Mashable shopping team.

Wondering what to buy on Prime Day? Shop our top 10 deals from the sale.

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:21

Amazon's October Prime Day event kicked off in the wee hours of the morning on Oct. 6 with tons of deals begging for your attention. It's tough sorting through what's actually worth your hard-earned cash, so we've taken it upon ourselves to do that part for you.

Mashable's shopping team has been hunting deals in the weeks leading up to Prime Big Deal Days and now that it's officially begun, we've gathered our top 10 deals of the sale. If you're itching to knock out some early holiday shopping or simply have a "treat yourself" kind of week, but aren't sure what to buy, here are our picks for the best Prime Day deals so far.

The newest Apple Watch Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch is just a few weeks old, but it just got its first notable discount for Prime Day. What's new about the Series 12? More regular heart rate variability (HRV) readings, quicker charging, a faster processor, and a new Daily Readiness score. Unfortunately, the battery life is still the same at around 24 hours.

A limited-edition Yeti cooler Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler $243.75 at Amazon
$325 Save $81.25   Get Deal Why we like it

Spotting a Yeti cooler on sale is like finding a four-leaf clover: rare, but possible if you look hard enough. This gorgeous limited-edition ultramarine violet Tundra 45 hard cooler can squeeze in 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, can keep ice frozen for days, and is 25% off for Prime members. It's a bit hefty to tote around, but that heft is what makes it virtually indestructible.

A smart charging brick to match your phone Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Smart Display Charger $25.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Anker always drops some of the best Prime Day deals on its charging tech. This cute Nano USB-C wall charger is under $30 and comes in colorways that match your phone — including the new burgundy iPhone 18 Pro. It also has a sleek smart display that shows you the real-time charging status.

A speedy new MacBook Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

The M5 MacBook Air is Mashable's favorite MacBook for most people, thanks to its absurdly powerful M5 chip, sleek design, portability, and unrivaled performance for the price. Our laptop expert Haley Henschel calls it "the sweet spot in Apple's lineup." This $200 discount basically negates the price hike from earlier this year.

Noise-cancelling headphones that are actually comfortable Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones (1st Gen) $169 at Amazon
$359.99 Save $190.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you have a long trip approaching or just need something to quiet the noise of your commute, Bose's QuietComfort headphones deliver all-day comfort and excellent noise cancellation. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino said these are her all-time favorite headphones, even after testing a ton of other options.

A portable SSD that's virtually indestructible Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

Despite the global memory crisis causing steep increases to SSDs, this SanDisk Extreme 1BT Portable SSD is the cheapest it's ever been at $90 off. It's built to withstand practically anything, from spills to drops, and is ridiculously speedy compared to previous generations. Plus, it packs an entire terabyte of storage space.

A mid-range OLED TV for a budget-friendly price Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,202.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If an OLED TV has been on your wishlist, now's a great time to make the leap. The S90H is Samsung's mid-range OLED model from 2026, which is just a step down from our favorite OLED of the year. It packs superior contrast, a brightness increase from last year's model, an upgraded anti-reflection display, support for 4K at 165Hz, and gaming perks like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's also down to its best price ever.

The latest AirPods Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Time to replace your AirPods? You might as well grab the Pro 3's while they're just $10 away from their best-ever price. They're no longer the latest AirPods, but they are the latest Pro model, featuring a bunch of excellent features — Live Translation, heart rate sensing, adaptive noise cancellation, and three-dimensional spatial audio. They can even act as hearing aids.

A basic Kindle for just over $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (2024) $103.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $46.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon raised the prices of its Kindle models over the summer, then dropped a whole batch of new ones. None of the new editions are on sale for October Prime Day, but the basic Kindle from 2024 (the exact model I own) is on sale for just over $100. That knocks it back down below its price pre-increase. While it may not be the newest Kindle on the market, it remains the best e-reader on a budget.

The ultimate Dyson Airwrap dupe from Shark Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styling & Drying System $199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark FlexStyle is way more affordable than the Dyson Airwrap at full cost. Now it's even better at under $200. Mashable Lead Shopping Repoter Bethany Allard tested it and called it the best Airwrap dupe we've seen, even noting that it outperformed the original as a multi-styler.

Hurdle hints and answers for October 7, 2026

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 00:00

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Social order.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CASTE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An aromatic herb.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BASIL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Fend off.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 7, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

REPEL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To appreciate.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ENJOY

Final Hurdle hint

It makes sense.

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

LOGIC

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

Best October Prime Day Dyson deals: Save $210 on the Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 23:00
Best Prime Day Dyson deals at a glance: Best hair styler deal Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler $499.99 (save $210) Get Deal Best air purifier deal HushJet Compact Air Purifier $299.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best cordless vacuum deal Dyson V15 Detect Origin $589.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best hair dryer deal Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal

I like Dyson, but I'm not a huge fan of Dyson prices. So when October Prime Day rolls around, I’m interested, but I’m not adding every discounted hair tool and vacuum to my cart just because. (I mean, if I could do that, I probs wouldn't be writing this, would I?)

One Dyson product I can personally vouch for is the HushJet air purifier. I own it, it’s quiet, and I love that it tells me when the air quality gets worse — which tends to happen when I’m using my Drybar brush and styling sprays. Apparently, my getting-ready routine gets reviewed, too.

SEE ALSO: The 135+ best October Prime Day deals: We found record prices on Apple, Bose, Lego, and Sony favorites

Amazon’s October Prime Day sale runs through Oct. 7, with Dyson deals on cordless vacuums, hair tools, and air purifiers. And some of these discounts are actually worth getting excited about: the V15 Detect Origin is $589.99, the Airwrap i.d. is $499.99, and the Supersonic Nural is $349.99 — all matching their record lowest Amazon prices, according to my CamelCamelCamel checks. They’ve been this cheap before, but if you missed those sales, here’s another shot.

Here are the best October Prime Day Dyson deals, because “it’s on sale” and “you should buy it” are not the same thing.

Best Dyson hair tool deal Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer and Dyson Chitosan Post-Style Serum (Amazon Exclusive) $499.99 at Amazon
$709.99 Save $210   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Read our full review of the Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler.

If you’ve been waiting for the Airwrap i.d. to get cheaper, now's the time to whip out your wallet. At $499.99, this Amazon-exclusive Airwrap i.d. bundle matches its lowest Amazon price, according to my CamelCamelCamel checks. You get six attachments for curling, smoothing, drying, and adding volume, plus a storage case, filter-cleaning brush, and Chitosan post-style Serum. So, yes, still expensive — but at least you’re getting the whole setup.

Best Dyson cordless vacuum deal Dyson V15 Detect Origin Cordless Vacuum Cleaner $589.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The V15 Detect Origin is for anyone who vacuums and then immediately spots something they missed. Its Fluffy Optic head lights up dust on hard floors, while the Digital Motorbar handles carpets and helps detangle hair. It adjusts suction based on the floor and debris, and the LCD screen shows what it’s picked up and how much runtime is left. Basically, it brings receipts. Amazon has it for $589.99, saving you $250 and matching its lowest recorded Amazon price, according to CamelCamelCamel.

Best Dyson air purifier deal HushJet Compact Air Purifier $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Read our full review of the Dyson HushJet Compact Air Purifier.

I’ve already mentioned my HushJet, but here's what I love: I don’t have to babysit it. It’s quiet, automatically detects changes in air quality, and the MyDyson app lets me see what’s happening in real time. Dyson says the particle filter lasts up to five years, which is a lot more convenient than adding replacement filters to my regular shopping list. At $299.99, it’s $50 off. That’s not its lowest-ever price, but if you’re looking for a high-end purifier for a bedroom or office, it’s still worth a look. Just keep the room size in mind: it’s rated for spaces up to 203 square feet, not your entire house. (I keep mine running 24/7 in my bedroom.)

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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 the latest 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: 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. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: League levels

  • Green: Home run variations

  • Blue: Soccer stars

  • Purple: Sounds like a QB

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Levels of Competitive Sports

  • Green: Descriptiors for Types of Home Runs

  • Blue: Ballon D'Or Féminin Winners

  • Purple: Homphones of Hall of Fame QBs

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 #744 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Levels of Competitive Sports: COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL, PRO, REC

  • Descriptiors for Types of Home Runs: 2-RUN, INSIDE-THE-PARK, SOLO, WALK-OFF

  • Ballon D'Or Féminin Winners: BONMATÍ, HEGERBERG, PUTELLAS, RAPINOE

  • Homphones of Hall of Fame QBs: BREEZE, GREASY, MERINO, STAR

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

NYT Pips hints, answers for October 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 7, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 7, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 7 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 7 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 7 Pips

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically.

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 hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 7, 2026 Dichotomy meaning

A sharp division or contrast between two things that are completely different or opposed to each other.

Monologue meaning

A long, uninterrupted speech delivered by a single person in a conversation, play, movie or show.

Tetracycline meaning

A broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and acne.

Trident meaning

A three-pronged spear or instrument

Bank meaning

A licensed financial institution that accepts public deposits and provides loans

Squirrel meaning

A small-to-medium rodent with a long, bushy tail that typically climbs trees and eats nuts and seeds.

Stash meaning

To store, hide, or keep something safely.

Store meaning

A supply of items kept for future use.

Choreography meaning

The art and process of designing, planning, and arranging specific steps, movements, and patterns for dances and stage performances

Musical meaning

A stage and film production that tells a story through songs and dance.

Orchestrations meaning

The careful coordination of multiple separate elements or tasks to work together smoothly and achieve a specific goal.

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Play meaning

To perform an entertainment or a particular character.

Cinnamon meaning

A warm, fragrant spice made from the dried inner bark of tropical evergreen trees.

Hamburger meaning

A patty (typically beef) served inside two circular buns.

Hot dog meaning

A cooked sausage served inside a long, sliced bun.

Sticky meaning

Made of, covered with, or having the property of a substance that adheres to things that tou.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theater kid.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Reserve

  • Green: Breaded

  • Blue: Alpha, Delta, Gamma

  • Purple: Theater recognition

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Save for later

  • Green: Kinds of buns

  • Blue: Greek numerical prefixes

  • Purple: Best ___ Tony Awards

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 #1213 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Save for later: BANK, SQUIRREL, STASH, STORE

  • Kinds of buns: CINNAMON, HAMBURGER, HOT DOG, STICKY

  • Greek numerical prefixes: DICHOTOMY, MONOLOGUE, TETRACYCLINE, TRIDENT

  • Best ___ Tony Awards: CHOREOGRAPHY, MUSICAL, ORCHESTRATIONS, PLAY

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're vibrant.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on 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 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Color for the cure

The words are related to bright hues

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a vibrant color.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Tickled Pink.

NYT Strands word list for October 7

  • Shocking

  • Quartz

  • Flamingo

  • Tickled Pink

  • Barbie

  • Bubblegum

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 7, 2026

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you always get to the bottom of it.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 7, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Verify.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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.

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The solution to today's Wordle is...

PROVE

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.

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

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October Prime Day is loaded with some of the best travel deals weve seen all year

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:35
Best October Prime Day travel deals at a glance Best luggage deal Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Carry-On $121.60 (save $38.40) Get Deal Best travel headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones $39.80 (save $45.19) Get Deal Best travel packing deal Cadence Travel Containers (5-pack) $110.40 (save $27.60) Get Deal Best Bluetooth tracker deal Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal Best sleep earbuds deal Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $159.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best travel beauty deal Dreame Pocket Dual Voltage Hair Dryer $109.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best travel tech deal AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe $48.99 (save $20.96) Get Deal Best travel water bottle deal LARQ PureVis 2 $109.65 (save $19.35) Get Deal Best power bank deal UGreen Nexode Pro 10000mAh 45W Mini Power Bank $36.07 (save $18.92) Get Deal

Travel prices aren't what they used to be, but if you're still making it work, Prime Big Deal Days is a great opportunity to stock up on some essentials. From luggage that isn't missing a wheel to headphones that will get you to your destination without a headache, Prime Day is loaded with travel deals.

Check out some of our favorites below if you could use a refresh on travel gear that'll make both the travel and the trip itself much more enjoyable.

Best luggage deal Opens in a new window Credit: Travelpro Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Carry-On $121.60
$160 Save $38.40   Get Deal Why we like it

Next time you're at the airport, check on the luggage brand every pilot and flight attendant is rolling behind them. It's likely Travelpro. Noting how often they travel, it's worth going with the same durable and reputable brand. Thankfully, Travelpro has a snazzy deal on offer during October Prime Day. The Maxlite Air V2 is made with a polycarbonate hard shell, and the case weighs under seven pounds but comes with a packing capacity of 46 liters. Plus, there's a two-inch expander for shopping while you're on vacation.

Best travel headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones $39.80
$84.99 Save $45.19   Get Deal Why we like it

The price of travel is getting a bit much these days. If you're still prioritizing booking the tickets and taking the trip while cutting costs elsewhere, Prime Day has something great in store. The JLab JBuds Lux are on a major discount and they're some of Mashable's favorite headphones for flying. They don't squeeze around the head, and they're comfortable enough to wear on a flight that takes you across the ocean.

Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Souncore Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $159.99
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

Sleeping at home is hard enough, but sleeping in an unfamiliar hotel room is another story. Instead of suffering through nights of wondering what your neighbors are doing, sleep easy by packing along the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special sleep earbuds. These are specially designed to be comfortable enough to sleep with all night, and that's even true for side sleepers. As a bonus, they're excellent for using on the plane, and they'll come in handy at home, too. This is the lowest price we've ever seen on Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds.

Best travel water bottle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Larq LARQ PureVis 2 $109.65
$129 Save $19.35   Get Deal Why we like it

From the drinking fountain water at the airport that tastes like a swimming pool to questionable hotel tap water, it can be hard to chug down the ounces when the water tastes off. Pack along the Larq PureVis 2 with its filtering straw and UV-C self-cleaning, and you'll be taking clean water with you everywhere. The UV-C cleaning means you won't have to worry about a moldy water bottle after a week of traveling. The 23-ounce bottle keeps liquids cold for up to 24 hours, and there's an integrated app that helps you keep track of hydration.

More travel deals

Prime members only have 48 hours to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.

Protect your investment with the best Prime Day iPhone 18 Pro case deals

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:29
The best Prime Day iPhone 18 Pro case deals Best iPhone 18 Case Deal Apple iPhone 18 Pro TechWoven Case with MagSafe $59 (Save $9) Get Deal Best Rugged iPhone 18 Case Deal OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Defender Series Case $42.48 (Save $7.51) Get Deal Best Clear iPhone 18 Case Deal Spigen Clear Case for iPhone 18 Pro $12.47 (Save $2.52) Get Deal Best Anti-Drop iPhone 18 Case Deal Mous Limitless iPhone 18 Pro Case $59.99 (Save $20) Get Deal

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max were released to the public on Sept. 18, starting at $1,199 and $1,299. That's $100 more than the iPhone 17 Pro models cost at launch, so a case that keeps the glass back and camera bump from cracking is worth picking up. You don't want to hear this thing go "bump" on the floor, that's for sure. So, for those who can't help dropping their phone, a case is almost mandatory.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day, is going on right now, and we're tracking iPhone 18 Pro case discounts as they go live, including clear cases, MagSafe-compatible cases, and rugged cases with extra drop protection.

Thinking about securing some extra protection for your pricey new investment? These are the best iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max case deals available for October Prime Day right now.

Best iPhone 18 Pro case deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPhone 18 Pro TechWoven Case with MagSafe $50 at Amazon
$59 Save $9   Get Deal Why we like it

Want something official to cradle and protect your iPhone? This case's fabric is woven from 100 percent recycled polyester on a Jacquard loom, mixing multiple colored yarns for a textured look, with sides coated in lightly textured TPU so you get a better grip. The buttons are anodized aluminum, and two connection points let you attach Apple's Wrist Strap or Crossbody Strap when you want to carry the phone hands-free. Built-in magnets line up with the iPhone 18 Pro, so you can leave the case on and snap the phone onto a MagSafe charger or set it on a Qi2 or Qi charger. It's pretty classy, and it's straight from Apple, so it'll match your phone.

Best Rugged iPhone 18 Pro case deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Defender Series Case $42.98 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $7.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The Defender Series Pro surrounds your phone with three layers: a silicone outer cover, a rigid inner shell, and a memory foam backing. Shock-absorbing corners and all-over texturing help it stay in your hand, and its port covers keep dust and pocket lint out. If you're worried about keeping your camera safe, it also features raised edges to guard the camera and screen. It even features built-in magnets for MagSafe accessories, a built-in Camera Control button, and anchors for clipping on a phone strap or charm.

Best Clear iPhone 18 Pro case deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spigen Clear Case for iPhone18 Pro $12.47 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $2.52   Get Deal Why we like it

Prefer your cases clear and customizable? This clear case has a 5igid polycarbonate back with a flexible TPU bumper, and Spigen's Air Cushion Technology in the corners to absorb the impact if your phone ever hits the floor. Spigen also uses an anti-yellowing resin to keep the case from discoloring over time, while raised edges around the camera and screen keep both off flat surfaces.

Best Anti-Drop iPhone 18 Pro case deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Mous Limitless iPhone 18 Pro Case $59.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Mous calls the Limitless its most protective iPhone 18 Pro case, with AiroShock material packed into reinforced corners to absorb and spread out energy from drops. It also has a rigid shell that resists flexing and twisting. Its camera control shield holds the buttons in place so they still register taps, swipes, and full presses, and the case is Qi2 certified with 38 built-in magnets for MagSafe chargers, mounts, and wallets.

More iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max case deals

25+ Lego sets you can get for less than $100 on October Prime Day

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:56
The best October Prime Day Lego deals under $100: Best Lego deal under $100 Lego Icons Project Hail Mary $69.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Lego deal under $50 Lego Botanicals Peace Lily $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best Lego budget pick Lego Creator 3 in 1 Retro Telephone $16.79 (save $13.20) Get Deal

We're officially in the midst of the 48-hour Prime Big Deal Days mega sale and we've spotted tons of deals on Lego building sets — and they're not just at Amazon. While Lego isn't exactly known for being the cheapest of hobbies, there are plenty of sets on sale for less than $100. Heck, I even found over a dozen for less than $50. In Lego world, that's pretty dang cheap.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 live: Updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Kindles, and Yeti coolers

Check out some of the best Prime Day Lego deals under $100 below, with a few of our top picks highlighted. While the majority of these deals hail from Amazon, I've included a few standouts from Walmart and Target as well — don't be afraid to shop around when it comes to finding the best Lego deals.

October Prime Day Lego deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Peace Lily $39.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10   Get Deal Why we like it

Biggest discount to date, anyone? The Lego Botanicals Peace Lily graced shelves earlier this year and was immediately one of our favorites. A peace lily that won't poison your cat or droop is a gift that keeps on giving. Its 474 pieces build out to an array of lilies in three stages of bloom: two furled buds, two partially open, and two flowers in full bloom. It also includes a peach colored plant pot that doubles as floral decor that never dies. At $39.99, it's down $10 for October Prime Day, marking its lowest price yet.

More Lego deals under $50October Prime Day Lego deals under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Project Hail Mary $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego's Project Hail Mary building set got its first-ever discount for Prime Big Deal Days, knocking the $99.99 price tag down to just $69.99. Its 830 pieces build out to a replica of the Hail Mary ship, docked on a display stand. There's a built-in crank that actually turns to simulate the ship's centrifugal gravity system. Plus, there are mini Ryland Grace and Rocky figures to complete the build. Mashable Contributor Hannah Hoolihan pieced the set together and now considers it one of her favorites on her shelf.

More Lego deals under $100

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