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Mashable's discerning reporters and editors are constantly testing the latest gadgets, from e-readers to headphones, laptops, phones, power stations, smart rings, and portable speakers. This year, many of our favorite products have been besieged by price hikes as a result of the ongoing memory crisis. Fortunately, Amazon is about to bring tech shoppers some relief in the form of Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day.
Set for Oct. 6 and 7, Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale for members of Amazon's Prime program. Often referred to as "October Prime Day," it serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. We've been covering the event since its inception in 2022, back when it was still called the Prime Early Access Sale. And this year, we'll be keeping an extra close eye on the best early Prime Day tech deals.
SEE ALSO: Try Amazon Prime for free for 30 days to get access to October Prime Day 2026In the lead-up to the sale, Amazon is already offering some steep discounts on select devices from brands like Apple, TCL, Garmin, Beats, and Sony. After spending hours poring over these deals, we've identified the best early Prime Day deals that are so good, we'd buy them ourselves.
How do we pick these deals? We look for products we recommend at record-low prices (or close to them). We use price-tracking tools like camelcamelcamel to see if Amazon's discounts are actually better than usual, then cross-check them with other retailers' listings to make sure they're not cheaper elsewhere. (Walmart and Target are both gearing up to host their own October sales, FYI.) You can add our picks to your cart with confidence. And if we expect prices to drop lower in the days ahead, we'll be sure to tell you that.
So, without any further ado, these are the best early October Prime Day deals we've spotted so far.
$79 AirPods (a Prime Day classic)It wouldn't be an Amazon Prime event without some heavily discounted AirPods. But, ironically, before the sale officially begins, you can also grab these earbuds for $79 at Walmart. That could change come Oct. 6, as Amazon may be holding back some inventory for Prime Big Deal Days.
Apple's fourth-generation earbuds have excellent audio quality, a comfortable fit, and a five-hour battery life. The newer AirPods 5 sound even better and add ANC, but this pair is still a great option for iOS users on a budget. (Read Mashable's review.)
Note: The AirPods 4 dipped down to $69 last Black Friday, but $79 is their lowest price so far in 2026. Plus, they probably won't be in stock much longer now that their successors have launched.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79 at WalmartAmazon surprised us all with big price hikes across all Kindles, then dropped a collection of new Kindle models and accessories, including a page-turner. But if you're cool with a non-Paperwhite model, the 2024 Kindle is on sale for $103.99 for a nice 31% discount. Bundle it with three months of Kindle Unlimited for free.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 2024 Amazon Kindle (16GB) $103.99 at AmazonWe've been waiting for good deals on Apple MacBooks, and Amazon has finally delivered, with both the MacBook Air and Pro on sale.
If you're a professional creative, developer, or AI enthusiast who needs a compact new laptop for work, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the 14-inch, M5 Max-powered MacBook Pro. The "base" configuration with 36GB of RAM and 2TB of storage got a $500 price increase back in June, which bumped it from $3,599 to $4,099. But right now, Amazon has it on sale for just $3,499 — a $600 savings.
If you don't need the powerful MacBook Pro's features or the price tag, you can go with the M5 MacBook Air while it's on sale for $1,099, or $200 off the normal price. Not only is it highly portable, but it also uses the M5 chip, and it stays in a moderate lane without going wild with features not everyone needs. It's a great buy for students or professionals.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at AmazonTwo of Amazon's own Fire tablets are already on sale for record-low prices ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Take your pick from the compact Fire HD 8 with 64GB of storage — our favorite Fire tablet overall — or the big-screened Fire HD 10 with 32GB of storage, nicer cameras, and a sharper display. (Both have 13-hour battery lives.) They're now up to 53% off for Prime members.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (64GB) $79.99 at AmazonAmazon's Fire tablets have been safe from price hikes so far, but the retailer raised the prices of all its Fire TV streaming sticks by at least $5 in August. The 4K Plus model went from $49.99 to $69.99. Nevertheless, Amazon will sell it to you for just $37.99 right now. (You can also try the coupon code STREAM4K, as we've seen it work at times this week.)
FWIW, this is Amazon's cheapest media player with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Nvidia Geforce Now, and Alexa Home Theater (a surround sound feature that works with Echo devices).
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $37.99 at AmazonDropping to the lowest we've seen at Amazon, the Apple Watch SE 3 is down to $229. In Mashable's review of the best smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE 3 takes the cake as the best model for most people. The SE was the first Apple Watch to include an always-on display, and we're always thrilled to look down and see the stunning OLED display. Plus, the S10 chip is the same as the Ultra 3, which costs nearly $800 at full price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 44mm) $229 at AmazonThe 65-inch TCL QM8L is the best QLED TV for most people, according to Leah Stodart, our former TV expert. She praised its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling." (QLED TVs in general "are ideal for people whose TV usage happens mostly in the daytime, especially watching sports," to quote her TV specs guide.)
Right now, the 85-inch QM8L is available for $2,797.99, which is a good price. However, we do expect this TV to go on sale for $2,497.99 or less once October Prime Day begins Oct. 6, so hold out if you can.
Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 at AmazonThe best early Prime Day tech deals always include savings on Amazon's own devices, like the affordable 40-inch Ember Fire TV. This TV has a high-definition HDR10+ display and doubles as an Alexa smart speaker for your home. The 28% discount drops the price to a very affordable $179.99, its lowest-ever price.
And if you're looking for a cheap TV with a little bit more oomph, the 50-inch QLED Ember Fire TV is currently $100 off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $179.99 at AmazonNintendo's upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2 will be one of the year's biggest gaming releases (after GTA 6, obviously). Preordering the physical edition will normally cost you $69.99 — it's $10 more than the digital version — but Amazon has it on sale for $59.88 ahead of its Nov. 5 launch. The first print run has special packaging with foil cover art, so don't dawdle.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 at AmazonOur tech editor reviewed this classic DJI vlogging camera when it first came out. At the time, we called it the perfect camera for social creators, and we were right. Since then, this camera has become a very common sight at tech events, conferences, and anywhere else streamers and creators get together.
The new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 can be hard to find in the United States, but the previous-gen version is hardly out of date. This gimbal camera shoots gorgeous 4K vertical and horizontal video, and uses the built-in gimbal for tracking and motion stabilization.
Read our review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 at AmazonWhether you're on team Android or iOS, this power bank will give your smartphone a second life. This has not been a good year to buy a new phone, thanks to rising prices, so if your battery is holding on for dear life, just slip this power bank into your purse or backpack and avoid low-battery anxiety. It charges your phone via an included USB-C cable at a speedy 45W.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ugreen Ugreen Nexode Pro 10000mAh 45W Mini Power Bank $37.97 at AmazonApple released a new generation of AirTag trackers this year, the AirTag 2. The popular Apple tracker is already at an all-time low price, and we don't expect it to get any cheaper in the days ahead. You can also grab the 4-pack on sale for $89, though we're hoping that price drops to $79.99 soon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 at AmazonThis little gadget always goes on sale during Amazon sales, and so we're hardly surprised that it's one of the retailer's early Prime Day deals for October 2026. You can add this smart plug to your cart for just $12.98, a nearly 50% discount. If you're trying to spend every last penny of an Amazon gift card, go ahead and add it to your shopping cart.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $12.98 at AmazonThe global memory crisis has led to rising costs for smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, but it's been a disaster for SD cards and hard drives. So, while the discounts aren't as huge as they were in past years, you can find savings on these memory products during October Prime Big Deal Days. We've found a bunch of early Prime Day deals on portable SSDs and hard drives, and we expect even more savings to come.
Case in point: The SanDisk Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Card Express is currently $40 off. Likewise, you can save $40 on the popular SanDisk Extreme portable SSD with 1TB of storage.
Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk microSD Express Card for Switch 2, 512GB $159.99 at AmazonThis exclusive deal is for Prime members only, and it's a good one. For a limited time, Prime members can sign up for four months of Audible for just $0.99. You'll also get a $20 Audible credit to spend as you like.
Our advice? Take advantage of this deal and set a calendar reminder three months and 29 days in the future.
Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible $0.99 for 4 months + $20 Audible credit Get Deal Cheap wireless earbuds for under $25If you're hoping to buy flagship-quality noise-cancelling earbuds, then wait for Prime Big Deal Days to begin, as we're expecting big discounts on Apple, Sony, and Bose earbuds. However, if you're prone to losing earbuds and just need something simple for everyday use, the popular Anker Soundcore P30i Earbuds are already at a record-low price of $24.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P30i Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $24.99 at AmazonIn the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, the iPad Air has gone on sale, and then went back to full price, and then went back on sale. As of this writing, you can once again save $100 on the latest iPad Air, which is powered by the powerful M4 chip, is razor thin, and won a Mashable Choice award (read our full review if you're on the fence) earlier this year.
You can also check out all of the October Prime Day iPad deals we've spotted so far.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4), 11 inches $649 at AmazonWe've made no secret of the fact that we love Bose headphones and earbuds here at Mashable. The brand makes the most comfortable headphones we've ever tested, and the brand's popular QuietComfort line recently got refreshed.
Earlier this week, you could get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) for $50 off, but this deal has ended. However, we are very confident these products will get even bigger discounts when the Prime Big Deal Days sale starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) $249.99 at AmazonPrime Big Deal Days, Amazon's two-day sale for Prime members, kicks off on Oct. 6, but you don't have to wait until the calendar rolls over to shop some excellent deals. It's a great time to pick up a robot vacuum, and you can start shopping for one right now, in fact.
A robot that's on vacuum or even mop duty can be a massive help when hosting a full house over the holidays, or it can keep your home tidy year-round with regularly scheduled cleaning. It can keep up with crumbs and tracked-in dirt between visits while you deal with the cooking and decorating, or while you're just living your best life.
Robot vacuums come in a pretty wide range. Some models can basically just vacuum on a schedule you set in an app, while others also mop, map each room of your house, and empty themselves into a base that holds weeks of debris. It really just depends on what you're looking for. And right now, robot vacuums of all stripes are discounted.
Amazon adds new deals several times a day, and the best ones can sell out fast, so we'll keep checking prices and updating this list until the sale ends. For now, these are the best robot vacuum deals you can get right now ahead of the sale. Be sure to check back for new deals before and during the big days.
Best entry-level robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop $229.99 at AmazonThe Matrix Plus may be a more affordable option, but it can pick up debris and mop hard floors with the best of them. It uses a sonic mopping pad that scrubs 100 times per minute to loosen stuck-on stains and maps your home with 360-degree LiDAR, so you can send it to specific rooms, set schedules, and draw no-go zones in the SharkClean app. Its bagless base empties the dustbin and holds up to 60 days of debris behind a HEPA filter that traps dust and allergens as well, all for an affordable price.
Best midrange robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop $599.98 at AmazonThis model doesn't just vacuum. It includes a roller mop that gets rinsed with clean water while it cleans, so it can scrub up everything from coffee spills to dried-on sauce without spreading dirty water around your floors. It also has 20,000 Pa of suction and brushes designed to keep pet hair from tangling around them, plus an arm that extends out to reach dirt along baseboards and in corners.
Best premium robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $629.98 at AmazonThe Omni E28 boasts 20,000 Pa of suction, which it automatically boosts when it detects carpet, and its DuoSpiral brushes keep pet hair and long hair from wrapping around them. On hard floors, its roller mop is scraped clean six times per second, so it doesn't spread dirty water from one room to the next. The portable deep cleaner also lifts off the station, too, so you can take it to a coffee spill on the rug, a pet accident on the couch, the stairs, or muddy car seats. All this, and it handles its own cleaning when it's done with your home for the day.
Best splurge robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $800.47 at AmazonThis heavy-duty unit can slip under couches and low cabinets, with a laser sensor on top that lowers itself when needed. Plus, its chassis automatically lifts up so it can climb over thresholds between rooms. It also has 22,000 Pa of suction and brushes that resist hair tangles, which helps when it's pulling pet fur out of carpet. It can sanitize on its own, as well as wash its mops in 176 degree Fahrenheit water and dry them with hot air. That means you can stay hands-off while it handles all the cleaning and refilling.
Best budget robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Q10 S5+ Robot Vacuum $279.99 at AmazonThis affordable robot vacuum can handle cleanup all on its own at a great price. It can empty into its dock after each cleaning, and the bag holds up to 70 days' worth of dust and hair. Both of its brushes are designed to keep long hair from wrapping around them, and a LiDAR sensor maps your home so it can plan an efficient route through each room.
More robot vacuum dealsLefant M210 — $89.99 $199.99 (save $110)
Roborock Q7 L5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo — $139.99 $249.99 (save $110)
eufy 11S MAX Robot Vacuum — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)
Dreame D20 — $227.99 $349.99 (save $122)
iRobot Roomba 105 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop — $299 $469.99 (save $170.99)
Shark AI Ultra — $449.99 $599 (save $149.01)
Dreame D30 Ultra CE — $459.98 $499.99 (save $40.01)
ECOVACS DEEBOT T90 PRO Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop — $499 $799.99 (save $300.99)
Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $499.99 $749.99 (save $250)
MOVA P10 Pro Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $531.87 $599.99 (save $68.12)
Amazon will host its annual Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 6 and 7. If you're looking to save on fall essentials — or yearning for a break from this year's tech price hikes — the event will be a good opportunity to get some shopping done ahead of the busy holidays.
I've covered Prime Big Deal Days every year since its inception. Here's what you should know about the sale before it starts. (Plus, check out my team's dedicated guide to the best early deals you can score already.)
The best early October Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Prime-exclusive deal Audible (Standard) $0.99/month + free $20 credit with Prime (save $32) Get Deal Best free deal Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $0/month (save $35.97) Get Deal Best deal under $25 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $32) Get Deal Best deal under $50 Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 55-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED TV $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $62.04 (save $47.95) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 Pro (2TB) $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best gaming deal The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 (save $10.11) Get Deal What is Prime Big Deal Days?Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale that Amazon has put on every year since 2022 in early October, about a month and a half before Black Friday. (Fun fact: It was originally called the Prime Early Access Sale.) It's often referred to as "October Prime Day" because its deals are exclusively for Amazon Prime members, just like the retailer's flagship Prime Day sale.
Prime Big Deal Days serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.
When does Prime Big Deal Days start?Prime Big Deal Days 2026 will officially begin at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, Oct. 6. It will end at 2:59 a.m ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8 (11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 7).
How is Prime Big Deal Days different from Prime Day?Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day event in the fall, while Prime Day is a four-day event in the summer. (It's usually in July, but Amazon moved it up to June this year because of the timing of the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary, a company exec told Reuters.)
What are the best early October Prime Day deals? Credit: AmazonYou don't need to wait until Oct. 6 to start filling your cart. Prime members can score the following deals on Amazon devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days:
Save up to 65% on select Amazon gadgets, including Fire TV Sticks and Echo smart speakers
Get a free $30 credit when you buy select Echo devices on sale
Get a free $5 Prime Big Deal Days credit for every Amazon Now order of $25 or more through Oct. 3 (up to $25 total)
Get four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited (three months for non-members)
Get four months of Audible Standard for 99 cents/month plus a free $20 Audible credit
Save $20 on Grubhub orders of $30 or more with code DEALS20 through Oct. 5
Get a free $1,500 gift card when you buy or lease a new car with Amazon Autos through Oct. 7
All shoppers can get three months' worth of Kindle Unlimited for free ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, regardless of their Prime status.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?My fellow Mashable reporters and I are also tracking early October Prime Day deals on popular tech gadgets, including Apple devices, headphones, speakers, TVs, laptops, robot vacuums, smartwatches, power stations, and SSDs. Many of those products are on sale already, but keep in mind that their prices will likely drop further once Prime Big Deal Days starts.
What deals will be available during Prime Big Deal Days 2026?Prime Big Deal Days will feature "millions of deals across fashion, electronics, beauty, toys, and more," according to a company blog post. Some of them will be special, limited-time offers called "Today's Big Deals" that involve discounts of "up to 50% or more" on "trending products and new releases," the retailer said (think $2,000 off a big-screen Sony TV, it added). Today's Big Deals will drop daily at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. ET during the sale, so keep a lookout. They're only available while supplies last.
Here are the other sorts of deals you can expect to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts, per Amazon's blog post:
Over $500 off select cameras from Canon and Nikon
Up to $500 off select Breville espresso machines
Up to 50% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and Anker's Soundcore line
Up to 40% off select TVs and streaming devices from Sony, TCL, and Toshiba
Up to 40% off select PCs and laptops from Asus, Dell, and HP
Up to 40% off select floorcare from Dyson, iRobot, and Ninja
Up to 40% off select kitchen appliances from Crock-Pot, Keurig, and Ninja
Up to 40% off select power tools from Bosch, Craftsman, and Dewalt
Up to 40% off select collectibles and toys from Funko and Miniverse
Up to 40% off select sensory toys from Kinetic Sand and Play-Doh
Up to 40% off select party supplies and decorations
Up to 35% off Halloween costumes
Up to 30% off select thermostats from ecobee, Honeywell, and Google
Up to 30% off select LED lighting and smart plugs from GE, Philips Hue, and TP-Link
Up to 30% off toys from Barbie, Hasbro Games, Hot Wheels, and Mattel Games
UP to 30% off select building sets from Lego and Magna-Tiles
Up to 30% off select cleaning products from Lysol, Scott, and Tide
Black Friday generally features better deals than October Prime Day. There are several reasons for this:
Basically every retailer runs a Black Friday sale, so there's a wider selection of deals available; the festivities aren't limited to Amazon and its immediate competitors (more on them momentarily).
Black Friday deals are open to everyone, not just Prime members.
Retailers really want to clear their shelves of old inventory ahead of the new year, so they're inclined to offer record-low prices during Black Friday.
That said, there is a lot of overlap between October Prime Day and Black Friday deals, especially when it comes to Amazon devices. (Most of the Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV deals we'll see during Prime Big Deal Days will probably pop back up in November.) You should definitely still check out Prime Big Deal Days if:
You're a Prime member who wants to maximize the benefits of your subscription.
You want to avoid the chaos of Black Friday and get your holiday shopping over with.
You're worried about an item on your wishlist selling out before the holidays.
You need an item sooner than late November or early December for gifting purposes.
Target and Walmart are both planning to run their own sales alongside Prime Big Deal Days. (Target's Circle Deal Days is also set for Oct. 6 and 7, while Walmart's Fall Deals event runs for a whole week from Oct. 5 to 11.) Best Buy previously said that its "[holiday] Savings start in October," but it hasn't confirmed anything yet.
How many times a year is Prime Day? Credit: AmazonPrime Day technically only happens once a year in mid-summer, but Amazon puts on two other Prime-exclusive events throughout the year that function similarly. One is Prime Big Deal Days in early October; the other is the Big Spring Sale in late March.
Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Big Deal Days?Amazon's October Prime Day deals are reserved for members of its Prime program, but you don't need to pay for a subscription to participate. Shoppers who haven't had an active Prime membership within the past 12 months can score a free 30-day trial. Just remember to cancel your membership before your trial period ends, or else you'll get charged. (Prime normally costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually.)
If you're between the ages of 18 and 24 or a college student, you're eligible for a free six-month trial via Amazon's Prime for Young Adults program. At the end of your trial period, you can upgrade to a paid membership for 50% off the usual rate.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime (30-Day Trial) Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime for Young Adults (6-Month Trial) Learn MoreSAVE $71: As of Oct. 6, Sony XM6 earbuds are on sale for $258 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony XM6 earbuds $258 at AmazonPrime Day is a great excuse to upgrade your tech, and if a pair of new earbuds is high on your wishlist, this new deal on the Sony XM6 earbuds is definitely worth checking out. Currently reduced from $329 to $258, you won't just be saving $71 with this deal; you'll be getting them for their best-ever price.
These are also our best overall earbuds after thorough testing, so we can confidently recommend this deal.
These earbuds are incredibly intelligent, using dual processors and eight adaptive microphones to give you the best possible noise cancellation that adjusts to your surroundings in real time. According to Sony, these are developed in collaboration with "mastering audio engineers," so they're designed to deliver studio-quality sound.
For calls and voice notes, dual-beamforming microphones, a bone-conduction sensor, and AI-powered noise reduction help isolate your voice while reducing background and wind noise.
The battery life lasts up to 24 hours, including eight hours from the earbuds and 16 hours from the charging case. Plus, they come with a quick-charge feature that gives you an hour of playback from just a 5-minute charge.
Find this Prime Day earbuds deal at Amazon right now.
The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping expertsFire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)
AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)
iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)
MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)
SAVE $134: As of Oct. 6, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is on sale for $495 at Amazon. That's a 21% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $495 at AmazonIf you've been keeping an eye on vlogging equipment, Prime Day has kicked off with a bang, with a brand-new low price on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo. This is a creator favorite, and as of Oct. 6, it is now priced at $495, saving you $134.
The bundle includes a DJI Mic 2 transmitter, a battery handle, an Osmo mini tripod, and the Pocket 3 itself, so you're ready to start creating great content as soon as your package arrives.
As the name suggests, this DJI camera has a pocket-friendly design. Despite this, the Osmo Pocket 3 packs a 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K video at up to 120 fps. Its 2-inch touchscreen can rotate between horizontal and vertical orientations, and the 3-axis mechanical gimbal helps keep your footage steady as you move. Small but powerful definitely comes to mind.
If you're filming a talk-to-camera piece, the ActiveTrack 6.0 can automatically follow and keep you centered. The camera also supports 10-bit color and D-Log M, giving you more flexibility when you're ready to edit and color-grade your footage.
And you don't need to worry about audio. The camera has built-in stereo recording, and if you're a DJI fan, it supports direct connection to compatible DJI wireless transmitters.
Prime Day runs from Oct. 6-7, so if you're interested in this DJI deal, head to Amazon now.
The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping expertsFire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)
AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)
iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)
MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)
SAVE $40: As of Oct. 6, the Apple Watch Series 12 is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a 12% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 $349.99 at AmazonPrime Day is finally here, and over the next two days, we can expect a wide range of deals across all tech and home essentials. And just a few hours into the sale, this deal on the Apple Watch Series 12 has caught our eye. Only released last month, seeing any discount is exciting, but right now, you can save $50 with the new price of $349.99.
It's available in a number of colors, with all the sport band options at this new lower price.
Similar to the 11 we know and love, the Apple Watch Series 12 offers advanced health tracking, with background heart rate readings every 5 seconds. It also measures heart rate variability every 5 minutes to give you more accurate insights into your stress and recovery.
In the Vitals app, you'll get an overview of your overnight health metrics, and you can also track your sleep score, menstrual cycle, and blood oxygen levels.
For training, there's also the readiness experience. This analyzes your recent activity, vitals, and sleep to help you decide when to rest or push yourself in your training. Alongside fitness features such as Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, and Workout Buddy, the Series 12 makes for a great training support for activities including running, hiking, and strength training.
You can find this Apple Watch Prime Day deal at Amazon right now.
The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping expertsFire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)
AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)
iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)
MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)
It's only October, but somehow it's time to start thinking about the holidays. If you're one to celebrate with an Advent calendar, you know the rush is real, and plenty of popular models sell out well before December begins.
Amazingly, Amazon has tons of models on sale for October Prime Day. Almost all of the Lego Advent calendars are about $10 off (and in stock), while plenty of other models for both kids and adults are included in early sales.
SEE ALSO: 15 early Prime Day deals on Lego: We found rare deals on Lego Star Wars, Lego Pokémon, and moreWe've listed some of our favorite options below, but check back as we continue to update this article.
Best Lego Advent calendar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 $35 at AmazonA top-seller every year and one that's very likely to sell out, the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar is a classic. On October Prime Day, secure yours for $35, marked down from the normal price of $44.99. This year's model features icons from The Mandalorian and Grogu. In total, the 24 days of surprises has 293 pieces to display on the included winery diorama.
More Lego Advent calendar dealsLego City Advent Calendar — $25 $34.99 (save $9.99)
Lego Friends Advent Calendar — $25 $34.99 (save $9.99)
Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)
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Featuring 12 mini 80-piece puzzles, the Galison Holiday Puzzle Countdown is a great way to celebrate the season or a fun gift. All 12 days feature a wintry design by artist Michael Storrings. Galison used recycled paper to make these no-dust puzzle pieces, and each puzzle measures five by seven inches.
More puzzle Advent calendar dealsGalison Meowy Christmas 12 Days of Puzzles — $22 $26.99 (save $4.99)
Galison Winter Lights 12 Days of Puzzles — $24.99 $26.99 (save $2)
Galison Home for the Holidays Puzzle Countdown — $24.99 $26.99 (save $2)
Freshcut Paper Winter Paradise Advent Calendar Puzzle — $44 $49 (save $5 with on-page coupon)
Exit: The Game Advent Calendar — $44.96 $49.95 (save $4.99)
With 24 mini paperback Little Golden Books, any kid would be thrilled to open each of the 24 days on this calendar. In total, the calendar holds 576 pages of holiday magic from books like Richard Scarry's Christmas Mice and classics like The Night Before Christmas. On sale for just under $27, this Prime Day deal brings each book down to about $1.13. For quality time with classic books, this deal is one to hop on quickly.
More Advent calendar deals for young kidsBluey: The Most Amazing Advent Calendar Book Bundle — $12.67 $29.99 (save $17.32)
Paw Patrol Advent Calendar — $19.89 $28.99 (save $9.01)
Richard Scarry's Best Advent Calendar Ever! — $25.97 $30 (save $4.03)
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OpenAI is adding an invisible watermark to text generated by ChatGPT and programming agent Codex, making it easier for machines to identify that it was written by AI. Announced on Monday, the change will be mandatory in the EU, and is currently opt-in for API customers across the rest of the world.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT has new ad formats. Here's what they look like.Large language models work by generating text one word at a time, determining what the next will be by looking at the ones that came before it. OpenAI's new text watermarking system textGrain influences this by changing how AI models choose words, having them consider both preceding text and pseudorandom values determined by a secret key.
This leaves a statistical signal in the generated content, allowing AI detection machines to determine what these pseudorandom values are and establish whether the text is dependent upon them. If it is, then it is flagged as AI-generated.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.OpenAI's text watermarking will roll out across ChatGPT and Codex in the EU over the next few weeks. It is also available to API customers globally across select models, though they'll have to opt in as it's off by default.
However, OpenAI's text watermark detection tool will only be available to researchers and experts who apply for access. OpenAI stated that this restriction is partly due to limitations in its text watermarking, particularly concerning shorter passages. In testing, the tool only caught watermarks in 80 percent of 200-word AI-generated passages, with detection rates even lower when said text was on topics with rigid lexicons such as mathematics.
Editing AI-generated text can also significantly reduce the efficacy of OpenAI's detection tool. The company stated that changing just 10 percent of words in a 400-word passage reduced detection to 66 percent, while replacing 25 percent of words lowered it even further to 17 percent.
"Text watermarking and detection remain early technologies with significant limitations, and views about their benefits and responsible uses are still developing," OpenAI said in its announcement.
OpenAI further stressed that text watermarks cannot establish ownership of generated content, prove its accuracy, or identify the person who prompted it. The absence of a watermark isn't proof that content has been created by humans either.
Credit: OpenAIOpenAI's new text watermarks are in response to the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act. Originally signed in 2024, the regulation aims to "protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI," according to a press release at the time. The EU AI Act has gradually come into force since 2025, with most of the articles now applicable as of Aug. 2 this year.
This includes Article 50(2), which requires AI system providers to "ensure that the outputs of the AI system are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated." Providers such as OpenAI who released their AI models before Aug. 2 have until Dec. 2 to comply with Article 50(2), or could be fined up to three percent of their worldwide annual turnover.
Last week, Reuters reported that OpenAI's annualised recurring revenue is nearing $70 billion (though they also acknowledged that such calculations can be misleading). As such, a violation of Article 50(2) could potentially net OpenAI with a fine of over $2 billion.
Earlier this year, Anthropic also announced that its AI chatbot Claude would watermark generated content in accordance with the EU's rules. Unlike OpenAI, Anthropic's watermarks are being made available worldwide to all users, not just to those in the EU.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
After this year, I am dying for a sale on e-readers. The RAMaggedon is wreaking havoc on tech prices and that includes Kindles. In August, we saw huge price increases on Amazon's e-readers that raised prices on Kindles up to $50. So what does this mean for sale prices?
Prime Big Deal Days has arrived, and Amazon just dropped Kindle prices, but it's a real mixed bag. Only 2024 models are on sale — and only some of them. The coveted Kindle Paperwhite isn't on sale, but its more expensive counterpart, the Paperwhite Signature Edition, is. While sale prices haven't dipped back down to their all-time lows, these are the best deals to shop since their August price increase.
And yes, Amazon just dropped a new collection of Kindles, but none of the 2026 models are on sale, nor do we expect them to be. So if you don't mind buying the 2024 Kindle models, there are plenty of Kindle deals to shop.
Kindle e-reader price historyDuring Black Friday 2025, the 2024 Kindles dropped to their lowest prices ever. That brought the Kindle to $79.99 and the Kindle Paperwhite to $124.99. But this was before Amazon raised prices on Kindles in August 2026.
The current Kindle Prime Day prices fall somewhere in between previous all-time lows and the device's current prices. However, two Kindles are notably not on sale. The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite is full price, notably the same price as the 2026 model. Plus, the 2024 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is no longer available for purchase.
All other Kindle models are on sale. The basic Kindle is $103.99, which makes it cheaper than its previous list price ($109.99) but $24 more than its all-time low of $79.99. Kindle Scribe e-readers, however, are on sale for their lowest prices ever, with the Scribe dipping back down to $379.99 and the Scribe Colorsoft dropping to $479.99.
Best Kindle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $169.99 at AmazonThe 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. I'd typically advise you to buy the standard Paperwhite, but right now, it's more expensive than the Signature Edition.
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.
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 dealsAmazon Kindle (16GB) — $103.99 $149.99 (save $46)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids — $169.99 $229.99 (save $60)
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) — $189.99 $289.99 (save $100)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB) — $379.99 $499.99 (save $120)
Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft (32GB) — $479.99 $629.99 (save $150)
The highest grossing film of 2026 is about to enter households everywhere. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned nearly $2.5 billion worldwide, which doesn't just put it at the top of the charts for the year, but for all time. As of the time of writing, it's the third highest-grossing movie ever.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings back its stars from the previous three films, plus characters from other Marvel franchises. That includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, just to name a few. It also includes some fresh new faces, like Sadie Sink.
The best Netflix deals at a glance (to watch at a later date): BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for those on Go5G, Experience Beyond and Experience More plans (save $8.99/month) Learn More BEST BUNDLE DEAL Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $13 per month for Verizon customers with select plans (save $9.98 per month) Learn More BEST FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard with ads, HBO Max, and Peacock Premium $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $10.97/month) Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE PLAN Netflix Standard with ads $8.99 per month Learn MoreIf you still haven't seen it or you're anxious to watch it again, here are all the streaming details you need to know about Spider-Man: Brand New Day — including ways to watch for less.
What is Spider-Man: Brand New Day about?The film picks up four years after the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker continues to fight crime as Spider-Man in a world that doesn't remember him. He's also dealing with body mutations, migraines, and blackouts. Not to mention, a new threat to New York City that "possesses" people like puppets. Fun stuff.
Check out the trailer below:
How to watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day at home Credit: Sony PicturesAlthough it's still bopping around in theaters, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now officially available to watch at home. There are a couple of different ways to tune in, with a streaming option still to come. We've outlined the details below.
Buy or rent it on digitalSpider-Man: Brand New Day is available as of Oct. 6 to buy or rent at digital-on-demand retailers. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film, but only 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep.
You can rent or purchase the film at the retailers below. Pro tip: If you wait a few weeks to buy or rent it, the prices will drop significantly.
Apple TV — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99
Prime Video — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99
Given Sony Pictures' and Netflix's agreement that gives the streamer first dibs, we're expecting Spider-Man: Brand New Day to make its streaming debut on Netflix. Though we don't know exactly when it will hit the streaming world, we can make an educated guess based on other Sony Pictures films that it will likely be sometime in late November or early December.
Netflix doesn't offer free trials, nor does it allow you to share an account (unless you pay for an extra user), so you'll need your own Netflix subscription to stream Brand New Day. Fortunately, Netflix has a few different tiers to choose from.
Watching Netflix with ads is the most affordable option at $8.99 per month. If you want to watch ad-free, the price jumps up to $19.99 for a Standard subscription. Finally, there's a third tier called Netflix Premium that costs a steep $26.99 per month and will let you watch on four household devices at once (as opposed to the other plans' two devices) in 4K Ultra HD + HDR with no ads.
Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix subscription Starting at $8.99 per month Learn More The best Netflix dealsBefore you sign up for Netflix, check the deals below to see if you're eligible to score a subscription at a discount — or maybe even for free.
Best Netflix deal for T-Mobile customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get DealT-Mobile customers on most Go5G plans, as well as Experience Beyond and Experience More plans, get ad-supported Netflix Standard for free (reg. $8.99 per month) as long as their account remains in good standing. You need to have two or more lines of any type of Go5G or Magenta plan, or at least one line of Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, Experience More, or Experience Beyond plan.
If you're eligible, you'll have to manually activate your subscription by navigating to the T-Life app and selecting Manage > See plans > Manage add-ons. From there, scroll down to select the Netflix streaming benefit and click continue. Then follow the prompts to link an existing account or create a new one. For help, head to the Netflix support page.
Best Netflix deal for Verizon customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $13 per month for Verizon customers on select plans (save $6.98/month) Get DealVerizon customers on select plans can get a Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) for just $13 per month ($6.98 per month in savings). A $19.98 value, that almost gets you Netflix Standard with ads for free. Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Verizon's support page has all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.
Best Netflix deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / Peacock / HBO Max Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and HBO Max $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $10.97/month) Get DealComcast offers new and current Xfinity Internet and TV customers a Xfinity StreamSaver package, which includes Netflix Standard with ads ($8.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($12.99 per month), and HBO Max ($10.99 per month). You can add the StreamSaver bundle to your existing services for only $22 per month. Usually, it costs $32.97 per month for all three subscriptions, so you'll save about $10.97 monthly with this package deal.
TL;DR: Watch India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly for free on Antel TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
India don't have a great deal of experience playing the world's elite sides, but that has all changed this month. They battled to a 4-0 defeat against Brazil last week, and now they face Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It's not going to get any easier for Khalid Jamil's team.
If you're interested in watching India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is India vs. Uruguay?India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Salt Lake Stadium.
How to watch India vs. Uruguay for freeIndia vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Antel TV.
Antel TV is geo-restricted to Uruguay, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Uruguay, meaning you can live stream India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream India vs. Uruguay for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in Uruguay
Visit Antel TV
Watch India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch India vs. Uruguay without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Antel TV?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Antel TV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Uruguay
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.
Live stream India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintBird call.
Hurdle Word 1 answerTWEET
Hurdle Word 2 hintPresented.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSHOWN
Hurdle Word 3 hintA burial chamber.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 6, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerCRYPT
Hurdle Word 4 hintMore mature.
Hurdle Word 4 answerOLDER
Final Hurdle hintMountainous.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerHILLY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Field day activities
Green: US soccer
Blue: Big hitters
Purple: Sometimes "Y"
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Track and Field Equipment
Green: Original MLS Teams
Blue: Members of the 3,000-Hits Club
Purple: Words in Which Y is the Only Vowel
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 #743 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Track and Field Equipment: HURDLE, JAVELIN, POLE, STARTING BLOCK
Original MLS Teams: CREW, GALAXY, RAPIDS, REVOLUTION
Members of the 3,000-Hits Club: GWYNN, MAYS, SUZUKI, WINFIELD
Words in Which Y is the Only Vowel: FLY, GYM, LYNX, SKY
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.
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 PipsIf 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 6, 2026The 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 6, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 6 PipsNumber (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 6 PipsLess than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 6 PipsNumber (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.
Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.
Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.
Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.
Less than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.
Less than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, 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.
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 5, 2026 Comfort meaningA state of physical or mental ease, free from pain, worry or distress.
Days meaningA measure of time equal to 24 hours.
Hampton meaningA settlement near a homestead.
Holiday meaningA day or period set aside for religious observance, national celebration, rest or recreation.
Catskill meaningA geographic and cultural region and subrange of the Appalachian Mountains located in southeastern New York state.
Knickknack meaningA small decorative object kept on display at home.
Pianoforte meaningThe original name for the modern piano.
Stability meaningThe quality or state of something remaining steady, firm, and unlikely to change.
Berkshire meaningAn American multinational holding company and investment conglomerate.
Citi meaningAn American investment bank and financial services corporation.
Goldman meaningA large American investment bank and financial services company.
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.
Merrill meaningAn English surname meaning "pleasant hill."
Adirondack meaningA large mountain range in upstate New York.
Eames meaningA husband-and-wife duo of 20th-century designers.
Windsor meaningA historic town in England.
Wingback meaningA classic upholstered armchair.
Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're good with money.
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 6, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Money
Green: Have a seat
Blue: Stay awhile
Purple: Craft
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Financial firms, for short
Green: Kinds of chairs
Blue: ___ inn hotels
Purple: Ending in talents
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 #1212 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFinancial firms, for short: BERKSHIRE, CITI, GOLDMAN, MERRILL
Kinds of chairs: ADIRONDACK, EAMES, WINDSOR, WINGBACK
___ inn hotels: COMFORT, DAYS, HAMPTON, HOLIDAY
Ending in talents: CATSKILL, KNICKKNACK, PIANOFORTE, STABILITY
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.
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If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're indecisive.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Changing courseThe words are related to switching up.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe shifts.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is The Old Switcheroo.
NYT Strands word list for October 6Backpedal
Reverse
The Old Switcheroo
Overturn
Undo
Flip
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Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't use the big light.
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 6, 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:Lacking light.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
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...
DIMLY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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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.
A week in a Los Angeles mansion, dating lessons, a wardrobe upgrade, and PowerPoint presentations about plastic surgery. Welcome to Camp Looksmax.
Hosted by streamer Braden Peters, AKA Clavicular (who was charged with rape in Massachusetts on Sept. 8; Peters’ attorneys have denied the allegations in a related civil lawsuit), and fellow creator Hexumlite, the seven-day residential program promises coaching on appearance, confidence, and dating skills.
You don’t need a spot in the mansion to follow along. The first session began Oct. 1 and is being broadcast around the clock on Clavicular’s Kick channel, where he has nearly 450,000 followers.
But joining the lessons comes at a considerable cost. According to the camp’s website, the first session sold out in 72 hours, and a second begins Oct. 8 at $7,500 per attendee. Here's what that gets you.
Credit: Screenshot/CampLooksmax.comIf "looksmaxxing" hasn’t made its way onto your feed, the term refers to attempts to improve physical attractiveness. Some advice covers familiar territory: grooming, exercise, skincare. Other parts of the subculture promote extreme interventions and rigid beliefs about how much appearance determines success.
Camp Looksmax turns that online pursuit into an in-person curriculum. Its website advertises mentorship with one of the trend’s best-known creators, Clavicular, alongside Hexumlite, plus classes, outings, and guided practice approaching unassuming women on the street.
SEE ALSO: Who is Clavicular, and why is he everywhere right now? What is happening at "camp?"A lot. For starters, there are online dating lessons and practice dates. In one clip, the date, a local college girl, advises a campgoer to say "um" less frequently while Peters and the other attendees watched closely. "You're just not flowing," Clavicular added.
Then there’s the wardrobe. A day-three itinerary outlined a Zara shopping challenge, with a cash reward for the best outfit, followed by a visit to Tall Men Shoes for footwear that adds height, otherwise known as "lifts." In clips from the stream, Peters talked to his pupils all about "height frauding," and even said that he was "really off-put how few people were wearing lifts on the first day of camp."
The styling feedback can get quite specific, and focuses mainly on looking "high class." In one exchange, Clavicular approves a participant's H&M shirt but tells him to lose the shorts because they make his shoe lifts more noticeable. He also has a distaste for sagging pants.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Physical appearance is essential, beyond what you wear. During introductions, Clavicular gets in detail about his height, deltoid width, and "bone-pressed penile length." He encourages participants to share similar measurements, including their height. Clavicular suggests to do "spinal deadhangs" before going out in order to make yourself taller. He also encouraged participants to share their most "blackpilling" moment. (In the incel vocabulary, the "blackpill" refers to the belief that appearance determines a person’s prospects in life and with women.)
The dating lessons also take participants outside the mansion to practice "cold approaching," or starting conversations with unassuming women on the street. "Sorry, you caught me off guard," one girl replies to streamer Hexumlite, who approached her in the middle of a crowded street. Others simply walk past the group of men, who often approach one or two women in a large group (with a running start).
After one woman rejected Hexumlite, he told her, "I’m starting to get pissed the f-ck off not gonna lie to you, because at the end of the day if it was a 6’8” f-cking Chad."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.After the day of attempting to pick up women, Clavicular praised the participants. "Only about 5 percent of people have the balls to actually go up to a girl in the middle of the day without being intoxicated," he said. "I really applaud you guys for cold approaching today." (There is no evidence that statistic is accurate.)
Camp Looksmax is $7,500, paid upfront after acceptance (according to the site). Applying is free, and prospective attendees speak with a camp counselor before securing a place. The package includes mansion accommodation, chef-prepared meals, mentorship, camp-organized activities, and custom-tailored clothing. Getting to and from Los Angeles is the attendee’s responsibility and costs extra.
There’s a competitive element, too. Organizers advertise a $25,000 prize for one participant, plus the possibility that selected attendees could return to teach future cohorts as "professors." As of Oct. 5, the website lists the second session as 65 percent sold.
SEE ALSO: Clavicular and the online culture that turns humiliating women into contentWith another cohort scheduled to arrive Oct. 8, the camp offers a literal example of creators becoming teachers for a largerly Gen Z and Gen Alpha following, some of whom look up to Clavicular and his theology. For boys still developing and figuring out dating and relationships, these lessons may last far after the stream, or week, ends.
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