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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.

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.

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.

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 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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Drumroll please!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs — $19.95 $24.95 (save $5)

• Thule Clean Dirty Packing Cube — $21.70 $34.95 (save $13.25)

• Anker Travel Power Strip — $33.99 $39.99 (save $6)

• TP-Link Roam 6 AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router — $46.99 $55.99 (save $6)

• UGREEN MagFlow Pro Liquid-Cooled Qi2 25W Magnetic Power Bank — $94.98 $149.99 (save $55.01)

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.

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

• Miracase Magnetic Case for iPhone 18 Pro — $17.59 $21.99 (save $4.40)

• OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Profile Series Case — $20.99 $29.99 (save $9)

• OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Figura Case — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)

• OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Sole Series Phone Case — $41 $59.99 (save $18.99)

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro Silicone Case with MagSafe — $41.50 $49 (save $7.50)

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 $50

• Lego Creator 3 in 1 Retro Telephone — $16.79 $29.99 (save $13.20)

• Lego Wednesday Black Dahlia Flower — $18.99 $27.99 (save $9)

• LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Record Player with Flowers — $20.99 $29.99 (save $9)

• Lego Disney Piglet’s Birthday Fun — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)

• Lego NINJAGO Zane's Ice Dragon Battle — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)

• Lego Creator 3-in-1 Majestic Tiger Building Set — $34.99 $42.35 (save $7.36)

• Lego Creator 3-in-1 Forest Animals: Gray Wolf — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Jurassic World Velociraptor, Stegosaurus & Pteranodon Rescue — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Disney Cruella De Vil’s Car — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Technic Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Classic Vibrant Creative Brick Box — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)

• Lego Harry Potter Thestral Family — $41.99 $69.99 (save $28)

• Lego Disney Moana 2 Kakamora Barge — $42.69 $99.99 (save $57.30)

• Lego Animal Crossing Blathers’s Museum Collection — $46.99 $79.99 (save $33)

• Lego Star Wars Imperial Remnant AT-RT Driver Helmet — $48.99 $69.99 (save $21)

October 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

• Lego Star Wars: A New Hope Tantive IV — $50 $79.99 (save $29.99)

• Lego DC Batman Logo — $60 $79.99 (save $19.99)

• Lego Icons French Café Paris — $65 $79.99 (save $14.99)

• Lego Minecraft The Enderman Tower — $67.19 $95.99 (save $28.80)

• Lego Fortnite Klombo — $68.59 $97.99 (save $29.40)

• Lego Super Mario Prince Florian & Castle Bowser — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Millennium Falcon — $79.95 $99.99 (save $20.04)

• Lego The Phantom Menace Battle Droid with STAP — $83.99 $139.99 (save $56)

• Lego Editions Soccer Ball — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)

• Lego Icons Golden Retriever — $98 $139.99 (save $41.99)

The best Prime Day board game deals at a glance Best overall deal Ticket to Ride $29.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best board game for outdoor lovers Trekking The National Parks $29.99 (save $19.96) Get Deal Best card game deal Sushi Go! $11.37 (save $4.04) Get Deal Best straregy board game deal Ark Nova $74.75 (save $5.24) Get Deal

If you make it through winter with non-stop board game nights, October Prime Day has some epic deals in store. It's also smart to consider if anyone on your Christmas shopping list would enjoy a board game. I'm seeing excellent board game deals that I was desperately searching for during Black Friday 2025, but they never appeared.

Fair warning, however, that many of these options are at least 50% sold out. I don't expect most of them to last into the second day of Prime Day, especially the well-known titles. Start adding these to your cart and check out before they get snatched up.

Best overall board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Without leaving the dining room table, travel across the country with Ticket to Ride, one of my favorite board games. It's designed for ages 8 and up, and it works well for two to five players. One round of Ticket to Ride takes between 30 minutes and an hour, and it's easy to pick up for beginners. I've played this dozens of times at family game night, and it never gets old.

More board game deals

• Catan on the Road Card Game — $7.58 $9.99 (save $2.41)

• Candy Land — $10.49 $14.16 (save $3.13)

• Sushi Go! — $11.37 $14.50 (save $4.04)

• Bananagrams — $11.95 $15.99 (save $4.04)

• Jenga — $13.99 $19.99 (save $6)

• Sushi Go Party! — $18.69 $21.99 (save $3.30)

• Azul — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)

• Splendor — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)

• Dixit — $27.99 $44.99 (save $17)

• Trekking The National Parks — $29.99 $49.95 (save $19.96)

• Catan Board Game — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Cascadia Board Game — $37.45 $39.99 (save $2.54)

• 7 Wonders — $41.49 $59.99 (save $18.50)

• Arcs — $48 $60 (save $12)

• Viticulture Essential Edition — $52 $65 (save $13)

• Wingspan — $55 $65 (save $10)

• Everdell Standard Edition — $59.28 $75 (save $15.72)

• Vantage — $85 $90 (save $15)

• Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West — $88.49 $119.99 (save $31.50)

• Slay The Spire: The Board Game — $114.99 $124.99 (save $10)

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.

The best Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals Best Nintendo Switch Deal Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $549.99 (Save $37.97) Get Deal Best Prime Day Nintendo Switch Deal The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time $59.88 (Save $10.11) Get Deal Best Prime Day Nintendo Switch Controller Deal 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $53.89 (Save $16.10) Get Deal Best Prime Day Nintendo eShop Deal $10 Nintendo eShop Gift Card $8.98 (Save $1.02) Get Deal

Have your eye on a new Nintendo Switch 2 console? October's Amazon Prime Day, happening Oct. 6 and 7, is the perfect time to pick one up or build out your game library for less.

Playing on Nintendo hardware got more expensive this year when Nintendo raised the Switch 2's U.S. price from $449.99 to $499.99 on Sept. 1, citing rising memory costs tied to the ongoing memory crisis. Nintendo consoles rarely go on sale, so Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event is a good chance to pick up a console bundle, games, or even some Nintendo eShop credit for less.

Here are the best Nintendo Switch deals we've spotted for Prime Big Deal Days so far.

Best Prime Day Nintendo Switch 2 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $549.99 at Amazon
$587.97 Save $37.98   Get Deal Why we like it

True, this isn't technically a Prime Day deal, since $549.99 is Nintendo's regular price for the bundle, but there aren't any other Amazon discounts on the Switch 2 itself right now, so the bundle is the best way to save some money on the console and get a game while you're at it.

It comes with a Switch 2 console, a digital code for Mario Kart World, and a three-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership, so you can race other players online as soon as you're set up. The Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch 1080p screen that refreshes at up to 120Hz in handheld mode, and it outputs up to 4K when you dock it to a TV. Its Joy-Con 2 controllers snap on magnetically and can work like a mouse in supported games.

If you're ready to upgrade from your original Switch and want to get a little more bang for your buck, this is a great way to do so.

Best Prime Day Nintendo Switch 2 game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time $59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11   Get Deal Why we like it

Nintendo rebuilt this 1998 Nintendo 64 adventure from the ground up for Switch 2, with overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, and a symphonic orchestral score, plus reworked camera and movement controls. Oh, and of course, there are faster load times. Link still travels between childhood and adulthood to stop Ganondorf, and now you can play his ocarina in-game by humming or playing a real instrument into the Switch 2's microphone. But most importantly, you can save on the game before it's out by preordering now.

Best Prime Day Nintendo Switch controller deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $53.89 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $16.10   Get Deal Why we like it

You don't have to use Joy-Con controllers to play every single Switch game, and in fact, there are some more comfortable, better options out there. This Ultimate 2 controller from 8BitDo works with the Switch 2, the original Switch, and PCs. It uses Nintendo's button layout, so A and B are in the same place. Plus, its TMR joysticks are designed to avoid stick drift, and you can flip the triggers between Hall effect and tactile modes depending on what you're playing.

Best Prime Day Nintendo eShop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 Nintendo eShop Gift Card $8.98 at Amazon
$10 Save $1.02   Get Deal Why we like it

Shaving a buck or two off of your Nintendo eShop purchases is always a good idea. Once you redeem the code from this eShop gift card, the $10 goes into your Nintendo Account balance, and you can spend it in the eShop on a Switch 2 or an original Switch game, downloadable content, or a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Since the money sits in your account rather than on a specific console, it follows you to any system you sign into with that account. A gift card also lets kids buy their own games without a credit card attached to the account, and it works with U.S. Nintendo Accounts. Buy a few and stack them, and you'll save a little cash on digital purchases.

More Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals

• Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — $23.74 $59.99 (save $36.25)

• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S — $29.19 $39.99 (save $10.80)

• Assassin's Creed Shadows — $34.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Yakuza 0: Directors' Cut — $37 $49.99 (save $12.99)

• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD — $53.88 $59.99 (save $6.11)

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder — $54.39 $59.99 (save $5.60)

• Metroid Ravenous — $59.88 $69.99 (save $10.11)

Pornhub is back in Australia — for certain users.

Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, blocked Pornhub from the country back in March due to an age-verification law that requires explicit websites to verify users' ages using personal data such as a facial scan and ID.

SEE ALSO: The UK is investigating Pornhub. Here's what Pornhub says about it.

Aylo has responded to many of these laws, including most in the United States, by blocking Pornhub from those regions due to the burden of complying. Aylo has also stated that these laws don't work because anyone can use a VPN to circumvent them or visit noncompliant websites instead.

But now, in Australia, Pornhub will be accessible to iOS users who have confirmed their age through Apple's Australian age-verification process.

"With their recent Australian update, Apple set a benchmark by enabling child safety features automatically for users who have not verified that they are adults, ultimately, making every phone or tablet kid-safe as a starting point. As a result, today Aylo welcomes eligible age-confirmed Australian iOS users back to Pornhub," Pornhub's vice president of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, said in a statement shared with Mashable.

The child safety update first rolled out in March in the UK, and Pornhub allowed access there again as well after initially blocking access.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo could be the first devices that protect children by default, Kekesi continued. She praised Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, for making child safety Apple's "#1 priority."

The tube site urges Apple to expand these developments globally, and Google and Microsoft to implement the same solution as well, Kekesi continued.

"The technology exists. A precedent exists. The responsibility now lies with Apple and platforms, like ours, to pursue solutions that truly protect children across the entire internet," she said.

This is the latest time Pornhub and Aylo have advocated for device-level filters, which have long been the adult industry and free speech experts' preferred solution to minors accessing porn sites.

Device-level filters, such as the iOS update, put child locks on the device itself. Many laws in the U.S. and globally mandate platform-level filters, in which websites and apps implement their own filters. This results in privacy and safety concerns, experts have told Mashable, as visitors have to hand over their personal data to unknown handlers. It also forces them to verify their age with each visit. Filters on the device, however, occur once.

"This method protects minors without requiring adults to surrender unnecessary personal information to multiple apps and websites. It also avoids creating systems that are easily circumvented through tools like VPNs," Kekesi said.

In July, Pornhub sent a letter to U.S. lawmakers urging them to require Apple, Microsoft, and Google to enable device-level filters. It first sent a letter to the companies directly in Nov. 2025, calling on them to do it themselves.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 6, the first day of Prime Big Deal Days, the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds are down to just $159.99. That's their lowest price on record and $40 off their list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal

Whether you have noisy neighbors or live on a busy street, loud environments can often prevent a good night's sleep. While earplugs are a solid option, they're not the only option in 2026. If you like to listen to white noise, calming tunes, or even podcasts to fall asleep, sleep earbuds are a better alternative — and the Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials are our top choice.

Now that Prime Big Deal Days has kicked off, you can pick up the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds for only $159.99. They're usually $199.99 at full price (as per the Soundcore website), so that's $40 or 20% in savings. That also happens to be their lowest price to date.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard tested the leading sleep earbuds on the market, and the Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials won by a landslide. Aside from their predecessor, they're the only sleep earbuds on the market with ANC. They also feature five different soundscapes to help you drift off to sleep, including AI audio brainwave, snore masking, white noise, Calm app sleep stories, and Calm app meditations. Within those soundscapes, there are also plenty of customization options.

The buds also track sleep data, have better battery life than the original Sleep A30s, and offer a slimmer profile than the Sleep A20s. And perhaps most importantly, they're comfortable for side sleepers, back sleepers, and belly sleepers, with plenty of wear options. As Allard puts it in her review, "The Sleep A30 Special earbuds aren't just better than their predecessors — they officially sit head and shoulders above all other available sleep earbuds."

Considering the competing Ozlo Sleepbuds 2's $279 price tag, the Sleep A30 Specials are a decent value at full price. But who can argue $40 off?

Best deals from Best Buy's Techtober sale Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation $119.99 (save $59.01) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) $369 (save $80) Get Deal Best e-reader deal Amazon Kindle $103.99 (save $46) Get Deal Best creator deal DJI Osmo 3 Creator Combo $495 (save $54) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day is here, so naturally, all the competing sales are too, including Best Buy's Techtober sale.

Though Amazon's sale is 48 hours from Oct. 6 to 7, Best Buy's sale is a weeklong affair, from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11. That said, the retailer stipulated that sale prices are liable to change during the sale dates and that only limited quantities are available. In other words, don't count on a deal you like lasting all week long.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 is here: Live updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Kindles, and Yeti coolers

For the most part, you will find the best deals at Amazon. However, we've rounded up all the deals that are matched with Amazon's prices, slightly better, or within a buck or two of Amazon's sale prices for anyone who simply prefers to shop at Best Buy. All told, these are 22 of our favorite deals from Best Buy's Techtober sale (so far):

Best Techtober deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation $119.99 at Amazon
$179 Save $59.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Yes, the AirPods 5 are here, and yes, they are objectively the better Apple earbuds. However, with this deal, the AirPods 4 with ANC are officially the cheapest way to get noise cancellation and wireless charging from the AirPods line. And at the time of writing, they're completely sold out at Amazon.

Best Apple deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179.99 $249 (save $69.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $429 $549 (save $120)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,499 (save $200)

Best headphones and earbuds dealsHeadphones

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $39.90 $84.99 (save $45.09)

• Beats Studio Pro — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $198 $398 (save $200)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) — $369 $449 (save $80)

Earbuds

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Sony WF-1000XM6 — $259.99 $329.99 (save $70)

Best TV deals

• TCL 75-inch Class M8LF Series 4K Mini LED Smart TV — $629.99 $1,299.99 (save $670)

• LG 65-inch Class C6 Series OLED evo AI Smart TV — $1,499.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,200)

Best e-reader deals

• Amazon Kindle — $103.99 $149.99 (save $46)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft — $189.99 $289.99 (save $100)

Even more deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 (4-pack) — $49.40 $99.99 (save $50.59)

• DJI Mic Mini — $79 $99 (save $20)

• Acer Nitro 31.5-inch Curved Gaming Monitor — $179.99 $459.99 (save $280)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo — $495 $549 (save $54)

New observations from the Gemini North telescope on Maunakea in Hawai‘i reveal the most detailed view yet of Pa 30, a supernova remnant about 7,500 light-years away. Its distinctive streaks of gas look like sparks shooting outward. But zoom in, and those seemingly smooth trails turn out to be chains of knots, resembling pearls on a string. And these are some very big pearls.

"The planetary region of our solar system could fit in each knot about 10 times with room to spare," astrophysicist Ilaria Caiazzo, an assistant professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, said in a statement. "The knots are quite strikingly uniform. We are excited to try to model them."

The findings, from a team co-led by Caiazzo and astrophysicist Tim Cunningham, are published in The Astrophysical Journal.

An explosion with a medieval paper trail

Researchers consider Pa 30 the likely remains of SN 1181, a supernova recorded by observers in Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic historical sources in 1181. It remained visible in the constellation Cassiopeia for 185 days.

But connecting those accounts to something astronomers could study today took centuries. Amateur astronomer Dana Patchick discovered Pa 30 in 2013 while examining data from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer as part of a citizen science effort. The object turned out to have an especially unusual resident: a surviving stellar remnant at its center, nicknamed a "zombie star."

Pa 30 is considered the only known remnant of a Type Iax supernova in the Milky Way. These are relatively low-energy, incomplete stellar explosions that can leave a surviving star behind. A standard Type Ia supernova, by comparison, destroys the exploding white dwarf.

The Gemini North telescope’s laser guide star beams up into the atmosphere. The laser guide star is used to measure turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere so the telescope can correct for it and achieve clear images of the night sky. Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab What the new image reveals

The Gemini observations reveal roughly 10 times as many filamentary features as earlier images showed. They also expose the chains of gas knots that make up those filaments, giving researchers new clues about how the debris took shape.

According to NOIRLab, differences in temperature or density in the material surrounding the star may have helped shape the expanding ejecta. Exactly how those remarkably uniform knots formed remains a question for researchers to investigate.

The team also found that the surviving star sits almost exactly at the remnant’s center. An uneven explosion can give a surviving star a "kick," sending it away from the center. Pa 30’s configuration indicates that its star received no large sideways kick, offering another clue about the blast.

Researchers hope to use Pa 30’s distinctive features to help find similar remnants in our galaxy and nearby ones. For now, this medieval light show is still giving astronomers something new to look at.