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Alien: Earth: Whats the deal with Kirsh? We asked Timothy Olyphant.

Mashable spoke to "Alien: Earth" star Timothy Olyphant about playing synth Kirsh and his frankness about life and death.

The Alien franchise doesn't have the best track record with relying on synths, from Ian Holm's Ash to Michael Fassbender's David. David Jonsson's Andy brought a little ethical nuance in Alien: Romulus. And in Noah Hawley's FX series, Alien: Earth, Timothy Olyphant finds a complex character in Kirsh.

Prodigy's chief scientist at the Neverland research facility and the overseer of The Lost Boys, the company's hybrid group of androids with human consciousness, Kirsh is tasked with protecting and guiding these literally childlike minds as they're deployed into disaster zones and begin to study alien life. As Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review, "His monitoring of the Lost Boys doesn't just read as very, very detached parenting, it also reads as him shepherding the next generation of tech that will make him obsolete. Tough gig."

So, how does Olyphant himself see Kirsh?

"It appears to me that perhaps he sees in these Lost Boys a better humanity, a better world," Olyphant told Mashable. "I think he feels that he is above and beyond everyone around him and and these kids represent something even better than him. I think there's a part of him that is trying to get across to them that they can they can go beyond what I've been able to go beyond, what I've been able to do."

As we've seen in the first three episodes of Alien: Earth, Kirsh is a stoic synth who seems to hold a distinct opinion about humanity — that life inevitably ends in death, and attachment is folly. "All we can do is watch and take names," he says in episode 1.

We get a glimpse of Kirsh's frank thoughts about the plight of humans in his monologue to Marcy/Wendy (Sydney Chandler) in episode 1, in which he tells her frankly that her brother, Joe (Alex Lawther) will eventually die. "Used to be food, you know. Humanity," he says. "Your lives were short and filled with fear. Then your brains grew. You built tools and used them to conquer nature. You built impossible machines and went to space. You stopped being food. Or, I should say, you told yourself you weren't food anymore."

Notably, there's a frankly hilarious scene in Alien: Earth episode 3, in which Olyphant shows Kirsh's lack of understanding of the need for human connection with one sweeping motion. Kirsh, accompanied by hybrids Slightly (Adarsh Gourav) and Smee (Jonathan Ajayi), first encounters Weyland-Yutani vessel head of security Morrow (Babou Ceesay) aboard the crashed USCSS Maginot.

During this tense discussion, somehow the concept of friendship comes up amidst this alien-invested crash site. Standing defiantly behind Kirsh, Slightly proclaims in the most earnest way possible, "Everyone needs friends." Reader, when I tell you the slow-turn that Olyphant delivers as Kirsh in the most pained expression, filled with almost second-hand embarrassment (a rarity for a synth), is one of the best things you'll see on TV this year, I'm not kidding. "I have to admit, I don't remember doing that," says Olyphant.

But there's a side of Kirsh we haven't seen yet, which Olyphant only alludes to: "I think it's tricky to trust what he's really thinking."

Alien: Earth episodes drop weekly on Hulu and FX at 8pm E.T. on Tuesdays.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon

As of Aug. 20, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Ring for $299.99, down from $399.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount.

SAVE 25%: As of Aug. 20, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Ring for $299.99, down from $399.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount, or $100 off.

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If smartwatches aren’t your style, but you’re interested in tracking your steps, heart rate, and more, you’ve got another option: smart rings. They’re slim, stylish, and ideal for anyone who isn’t worried about answering phone calls or texts from their wrist.

Right now, a Mashable Choice Award winner, the Samsung Galaxy Ring, is on sale for its lowest price ever. As of Aug. 20, you can get it at Amazon for just $299.99. That’s a 25% discount and a $100 savings from its usual $399.99 price. While the price is the same for all sizes, it may vary depending on the color you choose.

According to Mashable’s former East Coast Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, the Samsung Galaxy Ring outperformed her Apple Watch Series 9. “If I had to choose one over the other, I'd opt for Samsung's new darling device,” Gedeon writes in her review.

The ring is packed with health-tracking features and, as Gedeon notes, has a better battery life than the Apple Watch. It offers:

• Sleep and menstrual cycle tracking

• Heart rate and stress monitoring

• Blood oxygen level tracking

“The stress detector on the Galaxy Ring is the best feature on this wearable,” writes Gedeon.

The only major downside is that it’s not compatible with iOS. But if you have a Samsung Galaxy device, Gedeon says you’d be doing yourself a “disservice” by not making this purchase.

The JBL Charge 6 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker — get it now for its lowest price ever

As of Aug. 20, the JBL Charge 6 is on sale for $179.95. That's $20 off its $199.95 MSRP and its best deal since launch.

SAVE $20: As of Aug. 20, the JBL Charge 6 is on sale for $179.95 at Amazon and JBL's website. That's 10% off its suggested retail price of $199.95 and its best deal since launch.

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Out of all the Bluetooth speakers we've tried here at Mashable — and we've tried a lot over the years — we think the JBL Charge 6 is currently the best option for most people. It's "big enough to produce sound that will fill an outdoor party, yet still small enough to live on your bookshelf," our reviewer writes. "Plus, it can charge other devices with a USB-C connection."

One of the only things we don't love about the Charge 6 is its price. At $199.95, it's $20 more expensive than its predecessor, the Charge 5, and $50 pricier than JBL's popular Flip speakers. We think the Charge 6 still worth buying at its usual MSRP given its excellent sound quality and versatility, but it's even easier to recommend now that it's on sale: As of Aug. 20, Amazon and JBL have it listed for $179.95, or 10% off.

According to the Amazon price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel, this is the Charge 6's lowest price since launching in April. It also marks the first time its blue, pink, purple, red, white, and squad colorways have ever gone on sale.

The Charge 6 was also on sale at Best Buy at the time of writing, but it was four cents more.

Grab a handy Anker Prime charging station for its lowest price yet

As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Prime charging station for its lowest price yet.

SAVE $14: As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Prime charging station for $55.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's a 20% discount and its lowest price yet.

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Do you always manage to run your phone or laptop out of battery and find yourself scrambling for a charger? We've all been there. Make a change by choosing a charger that can handle all your important devices at once, and keep everything you need in one place. Change up your charging life with a great discount on an Anker gadget that can make staying powered up much, much simpler.

As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Prime charging station for $55.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's $14 off for a discount of 20%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

This 6-port, 200W charger can power six devices at once, with each USB-C port supporting 100W max. When you use two at the same time, they can output that much with no sweat, meaning you can charge something like a 14-inch MacBook Pro back to max capacity in about a half hour. Beyond that, you've got slots for your phone, tablet, Kindle, or whatever you need to power back up to 100% in a flash.

This charging station uses Anker's MultiProtect and ActiveShield 3.0 system to keep it from burning up or otherwise malfunctioning while it manages fast charging, so you don't have to worry about leaving it alone to do its thing. Just plug in your favorite gadgets that you've drained and come back to fully-charged goodness.

If you're tired of fumbling around with multiple bricks and cables, this is for you. Grab one while it's down to its lowest price yet.

Pre-order the new Anker Solix C1000 v2 and save $370

Pre-order the new Anker Solix C1000 v2 at Anker for just $429, down from the standard price of $799. That's a 46% discount.

SAVE $370: The new Anker Solix C1000 v2 portable power station is on sale at Anker for preorder for only $429, down from the list price of $799. That's a massive 46% discount.

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Portable power stations are the best new product that deserve a spot in your garage. They're wonderful for packing along on a camping weekend, and they can keep your home powered up during a power outage. Anker makes some of the most affordable models, and the brand just announced the new Anker Solix C1000 v2 with a super quick recharging ability. If you're interested in this new model, check out this awesome preorder deal.

As of Aug. 20, pre-order the new Anker Solix C1000 v2 at Anker for just $429, down from the normal price of $799. That works out to a shocking 46% discount that takes a massive $370 off the list price.

In Mashable's testing, the original Anker Solix C1000 portable power station earned itself a Mashable Choice Award. With this new version, Anker changed up a few aspects of the super versatile portable power station.

For starters, the new v2 of the Solix C1000 is lighter and smaller, which means it's now even easier to carry around the campground or move from room-to-room during a power outage. This model weighs under 25 pounds, compared to the original version's weight of about 28.5 pounds.

But where Anker really went hard is the recharging ability. The Solix C1000 v2 can go from 0 to 100 percent charged in just 49 minutes with standard AC wall charging. That means you only need an hour's notice that the power might cut out to get your portable power station in line to provide 1,024Wh of juice.

In real-life conditions, 1,024Wh of power can keep a CPAP machine going for 15 hours or a refrigerator for up to 14 hours, plus recharge a phone over 67 times. During a power outage, the Solix C1000 v2 can keep your WiFi router going for 60 hours. Pair that with a fully charged cell phone, and you can keep in touch while also catching up on shows until the power returns.

Anker also mentions this model has super quiet operation, registering just 20 decibels when power under 200W, which is similar to the noise you'd expect from a whisper-quiet library setting.

While it's on a preorder deal that saves a whopping 46%, snag the new Anker Solix C1000 v2 for just $429. That sale price makes the v2 cheaper than the current sale price of $449 on the original Anker Solix C1000.

The Pixel Watch 3 is $100 off at Amazon ahead of the Made by Google event

The Pixel Watch 3 is $100 off at Amazon ahead of the Made by Google event.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 20, get the Google Pixel Watch 3 for $299.99, down from its usual price of $399.99. That's a discount of 25%.

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Looking to pick up a new smartwatch? While both Apple and Samsung have tempting options, you shouldn't sleep on the Google Pixel line, especially if you're already invested in the Android ecosystem. It's a good time to capitalize on deals based on Google's current product line as well, especially as we're anticipating a new Pixel Watch to be announced during today's upcoming Made by Google event. Ahead of the news, you can save big on the Pixel Watch 3 at Amazon.

As of Aug. 20, get the Google Pixel Watch 3 for $299.99, down from its usual price of $399.99. That's $100 off and a discount of 25%.

The Pixel Watch 3 boasts a sleeker, more lightweight design than its predecessor, as well as a screen that's 10% larger. It's twice as bright, too, with a slew of features that can help you plan and organize your day as well as stay on top of your fitness journey.

Not only does it offer ways to track heart rate, sleep quality, and a variety of other health metrics, but it can track your runs, other exercise, target cardio load, and much more to help keep you on track.

Beyond its health-centric features, it's got everything you'd expect from a smartwatch, from the ability to make and take calls, text, and keep up with your schedule. It has a battery life of 24 hours if you use its always-on display and 36 hours in Battery Saver mode too, so it doesn't need to be recharged often.

In short, it's just about everything you need from a smartwatch — that is, until a new model is announced. Get yours for a much more affordable price before that happens.

Great news for travelers: Two of Verizons prepaid plans are getting free upgrades for coverage abroad

Verizon brands Simple Mobile and Total Wireless upgraded their offerings to add free unlimited texting and calling internationally.

Good news for Verizon customers traveling abroad.

The telecom company has expanded access for international calling and texting with its prepaid brands Simple Mobile and Total Wireless. Starting on Aug. 28, customers get boosted coverage outside of the U.S. for their existing plans. Long gone are the days of swapping in local SIM cards or scavenging for WiFi, even with super cheap plans. With people traveling internationally now more than ever, the Simple Mobile and Total Wireless upgrades offer value for travelers on a budget.

For Simple Mobile customers, all plans get unlimited texting, unlimited calling, plus more high-speed data per plan. These are significant data upgrades from what was previously included, according to CNET (Note: Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis).

Here's what the new offerings look like based on each plan compared to what was offered before, per CNET:

• $25 plan: 15GB high-speed data, unlimited calling to 100+ countries (previously 3GB)

• $30 plan: 20GB high-speed data, unlimited calling to 125+ countries (previously 5GB and 100 countries)

• $40 plan: 30GB high-speed data, unlimited calling to 125+ countries (previously 15GB and 100 countries)

• $50 Unlimited World plan: Unlimited data, talk and text. Unlimited calling to 200+ countries (previously 100 countries)

• $60 Unlimited World+ plan: Unlimited access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband, with unlimited data, talk and text. Unlimited calling to 200+ countries from the U.S., plus international roaming access in 140+ countries (previously 100 countries and didn't have international roaming)

Total Wireless, Verizon's other brand that offers no-contract plans also upgraded its unlimited plans with expanded roaming access. Now, the cheapest plan for $40 a month has roaming in Canada and Mexico and unlimited calls in 85 countries. The higher tiers also have unlimited calling and roaming in more countries, plus the added perk of Disney Plus. Here's how these updates break down:

• Total Base 5G Unlimited ($40): 5GB Mobile Hotspot, roaming in Canada/Mexico, unlimited international calling to 85+ countries, and unlimited international texting to 200+ countries

• Total 5G Unlimited ($55): 15GB Mobile Hotspot, roaming in 30+ countries, unlimited international calling to 180 countries, unlimited international texting to 200+ countries, and 6 months Disney+ included

• Total 5G+ Unlimited ($65): Unlimited Mobile Hotspot, roaming in 30+ countries, unlimited international calling to 180 countries, unlimited international texting to 200+ countries, Disney+ included, and a $10 international calling credit

The Google Pixel Buds 2a are here, bringing affordable ANC to the A-Series line

Google announced the Pixel Buds 2a with active noise cancellation ahead of its Made By Google event on Aug. 20. The earbuds are $129.99 — here's what you need to know.

When Google launched its budget-friendly A-series earbuds back in 2021, Mashable's reviewer had a hard time thinking of earbuds that offered better value for what you get. Now, Google has revealed the Pixel Buds 2a, which arrive with the affordable price tag of $129.99. The new buds were announced ahead of the Made By Google event, where the company also unveiled the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the new Pixel Watch 4.

With the release of the Google Pixel Buds 2a on Aug. 20, the mid-range earbuds are striving to stand out yet again: they will be the first earbuds in the A-series to come with active noise cancellation. Though they're $30 more than the launch price of Google Pixel Buds A, at this price, they're one of the most affordable options available for active noise-cancelling earbuds from a major brand. The earbuds are available in two colorways: hazel and iris.

Google Pixel Buds 2a features

Though the active noise cancellation is the most major upgrade on the Pixel Buds 2a, it's far from the only one. Here's a breakdown of what to expect with these earbuds:

• Active noise cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5

• Transparency mode

• Seven hours of playback with ANC on, 20 hours of charge in case

• Tensor A1 chip for clearer audio and access to Google Gemini features

• 11mm dynamic speaker driver

• Stereo spatial audio

• Custom equalizer

• IP54 water and sweat resistance

• Twist-to-adjust stabilizer for earbud fit

• Replaceable batteries in charging case

As I mentioned above, these earbuds will cost $129.99, which is a price increase over the $99 Pixel Buds A. Of course, the Pixel Buds A only had passive noise cancellation, no spatial audio, and a shorter battery life at five hours per charge.

While $130 isn't the lowest price you can find on ANC earbuds — we've been impressed by what EarFun and Raycon have to offer for under $100 — it is on the low-to-mid end of the price range from a bigger brand. The Sony CF-710 earbuds, Amazon Echo Buds, and Samsung Galaxy Buds FE clock in at $130, $120, and $99, respectively.

What else is new with the Pixel Buds 2a?

Compared to pricier Pixel Buds, the Buds 2a have ever-so-slightly worse battery life and do without wireless charging, same as the original Pixel Buds A. Minus a full color-wrapping on the earbuds, the design is aesthetically very similar. Ultimately, these look to be a promising pair of budget-friendlier earbuds — we'll see if they hold up in our incoming full review.

Pixel Buds 2a: Pre-order information

As of this writing, the Pixel Buds 2a are not yet available for pre-order, but we expect that to change soon. We'll update this story as soon as they're listed online; however, a Google spokesperson says that these wireless earbuds won't be available to ship until Oct. 9.

Googles Pixel 10 Pro & Pro XL are here with 100x zoom and live translation

Google's high-end Pixel 10 Pro promises some much-needed battery upgrades, among other improvements.

Google's pro-grade Pixel 10 is ready for its time in the spotlight.

At its Made by Google event on Wednesday, Google will officially reveal the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL phones. Like the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, many of the upgrades this year are pretty incremental, but that doesn't mean some of them won't be extremely meaningful. Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999, and the Pro XL, which is essentially the same phone with a bigger display and battery, starts at $1,199.

We recently got the chance to preview the new Pixel 10 series, and we'll be publishing an in-depth review in the days ahead. While the Pixel 10 Pro does deliver improvements over last year's Pixel 9 Pro, they're definitely incremental improvements. We'll reserve judgment on whether it's worth the upgrade until we've finished testing the new Pixel 10 series, but until then, you can check out the specifications and decide for yourself.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL: Specifications

Both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL come in four colors: Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian. They come with considerable RAM and storage upgrades over the base Pixel 10, though they have the same processor.

Here are the relevant specs for Pixel 10 Pro:

• 6.3-inch display with 1280x2856 resolution and 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• 3,300 nits peak brightness

• 16GB RAM

• 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage

• Google Tensor G5 chipset

• 4,870mAh battery

• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto

• Front camera: 42MP

Most of the Pixel 10 Pro XL's specs are exactly the same, with an obvious difference being a 6.8-inch display instead of 6.3 inches. Pro XL also has a very beefy 5,200mAh battery inside it, though Google is promising more than 30 hours of battery life on both devices. As with all other Pixel 10 phones, both of these handsets also support Qi2 wireless charging. One other minor thing to note is that the Pro XL's base storage is 256GB this year, so there isn't a 128GB option anymore.

The Pixel 10 Pro: What about the cameras?

The cameras this year haven't undergone huge (or any) changes in terms of megapixel counts, but one big thing Google did is increase Super Res Zoom capabilities from 30x all the way to 100x. We'll see how that works in practice, but given the excellent telephoto zoom quality on previous Pixel phones, this is potentially very exciting. The newer and bigger batteries are also a big plus, considering the fact that battery life was a common complaint with previous Pixel phones.

If you're interested in shooting 8K video, you'll need to purchase either the Pro or Pro XL, as the base model Pixel 10 doesn't have this capability.

Pixel 10 Pro: What else is new?

Besides the 100x zoom, the biggest changes of note are the Qi2 wireless charging capabilities and new AI features powered by Google Gemini.

Google has also provided a smattering of new AI features to all of the Pixel 10 phones, including live translation during phone calls and a new "Magic Cue" feature that can do context-sensitive things like bring up your flight info while you call the airline. Daily Hub also provides a new, well, hub for all the information you might need in a day, including the weather forecast and your schedule. This seems very similar to the Now Brief feature from recent Samsung phones, so Google is keeping up with the Joneses here, so to speak.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL: Release date and preorder

Google Pixel 10 Pro ($999) and Pro XL ($1,199) launch on Aug. 28 and will be available for preorder soon. As soon as the new Pixel phones are available for purchase, we'll be sure to update this guide.

Googles newest foldable phone is finally here: See the Pixel 10 Pro Fold up close

Google's newest Pixel foldable doesn't reinvent the wheel, but there are some important upgrades here.

At its Made by Google event on Wednesday, Google will officially reveal the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The follow-up to last year's excellent Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn't a huge, revolutionary jump, but the incremental changes Google did make are pretty important for fans of foldable phones.

The device starts at $1,799 and arrives on Oct. 9, a bit later than the other new Pixel 10 phones. It also comes in just two colors, Moonstone and Jade. We recently got the chance to get an up-close look at the new Google foldable, and we've got all the details.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

Here are the relevant specs for Pixel 10 Pro Fold:

• 6.4-inch external display with 1080x2364 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• 8-inch internal display with 2076x2152 resolution and 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• 3,000 nits of peak brightness on both displays

• 5,015mAh battery (30+ hours of expected battery life)

• 16GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage

• Google Tensor G5 chip

There are a few differences from last year's model that are worth noting. The external display is a tenth of an inch bigger, but more importantly, it has a smaller bezel this time. Brightness peaked at 2,700 nits last year, so the Pixel 10 Pro Fold should be better equipped to deal with sunlight. You'll also get a newer Tensor G5 chip for improved performance, as well as a significantly larger battery that should be more durable than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's battery was.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

And here are the camera specs:

• Three rear cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto

• Front and inner selfie cameras: 10MP

You'll also get a trio of rear camera lenses, as usual, but they don't appear to be horribly different (if at all) from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera array, at least according to the spec sheet. It seems like the Pixel 10 Pro will be the one to get if you're really into photography, at any rate.

What else is new?

Aside from the battery and display upgrades, Google has a few other things to look forward to. For starters, Google says it upgraded the hinge this year, and it promising 10 years of folding out of this phone. Beyond that, it has an IP68 water and dust protection rating, which is very good for a foldable.

Qi2 wireless charging is new here and will appeal to plenty of folks. Pixel 10 Pro Fold also has access to the same new AI features as the other Pixel 10 phones, including Daily Hub, a new one-stop-shop for your daily schedule, the weather, and any news you might want to read before you head out for the day. Also on the software side is Instant View, which lets you preview photos you've taken before taking them while the phone is unfolded.

How to pre-order the Pixel 10 Pro Fold

It's worth reiterating that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will launch later than the other Pixel 10 devices, on Oct. 9. That said, you can pre-order it soon via the Google Store.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is here and the price is the same as last year

Pixel Watch 4 announced: What’s new, what’s not?

We're still an hour away from this year’s Made by Google event, but thanks to a steady stream of Pixel leaks, we already know what's on deck. You can tune into the Made by Google livestream for the official unveiling of the Google Pixel Watch 4, but after previewing the new smartwatch at a recent event, we can also share a detailed first look at the new wearable.

We can also share some good news: The Pixel Watch 4 won't arrive with a price increase. The 41mm version starts at $349, and the 45mm version starts at $399.

Google’s sleek smartwatch line is back, and this year’s model brings a suite of upgrades designed to smooth over some of the rough edges from last year’s Pixel Watch 3. The Watch 4 promises longer battery life, noticeably faster charging, improved health and fitness features, and a fresh set of eye-catching color options to go with its minimalist design. It's a solid alternative to the recently released Galaxy Watch 8, with its love-it-or-hate-it "squircle" design.

On paper, the Pixel Watch 4 looks like a clear step up from the Watch 3 — but it’s not a total reinvention. Much of the functionality remains the same, meaning last year’s model is still perfectly serviceable if you’re not itching to upgrade. That said, if you’re debating whether the Watch 4 is worth the leap, here’s a breakdown of what’s changed, and what hasn’t changed, with Google’s latest flagship smartwatch and fitness tracker.

New: Bigger display, longer life, faster charging

The Pixel Watch 4 is also getting a bump in display tech. Google says the new screen is roughly 10 percent larger than the Watch 3, with a nearly edge-to-edge design that makes the updated Wear OS 6 and Material 3 Expression UI look and feel more animated and lively. On top of that, brightness has been cranked up considerably, topping out at a dazzling 3,000 nits compared to the Pixel Watch 3’s 2,000. That means better visibility outdoors and sharper contrast when you’re checking notifications on the fly.

Battery life has also seen some fine-tuning. On the 45mm model, the Pixel Watch 4 promises up to 40 hours of runtime, while the smaller 41mm version manages about 30 hours. Kick in Battery Saver mode and you’re looking at 72 hours on the 45mm and 48 hours on the 41mm. Charging is faster too: Google claims the Watch 4 can jump from 0 to 50 percent in just 15 minutes, a nice improvement over the Watch 3, which took 24 minutes to hit the same mark.

Finally, if you're a fan of the Google Gemini AI chatbot, a Google press release says the Pixel Watch 4 is "our best watch for experiencing Gemini." Of course, Google would say that.

Not new: Fitness and health features

When it comes to health and fitness, the Pixel Watch 4 sticks to the same playbook as its predecessor. You’re still getting the deep Fitbit integration that tracks heart rate, sleep, SpO2, stress, and workouts, plus Google’s AI-powered Running Insights for performance feedback. ECG readings, irregular heart rhythm notifications, fall detection, and emergency SOS are also carried over unchanged.

The Pixel Watch 4 hasn’t introduced any groundbreaking new health sensors or fitness features this year — it’s largely refining the same Fitbit-driven ecosystem that debuted on the Pixel Watch 3. However, Google has added improved GPS tracking for more precise route mapping and distance measurement, particularly useful for runners, cyclists, and hikers.

New: Colors

The Pixel Watch 4 is getting a fresh coat of paint when it comes to design. Google is offering the same two case sizes (41mm and 45mm), and both now come in four finishes: Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, and the all-new Rose Quartz.

Band options have also expanded, but you’ll still find staples like metal links, woven, leather, and stretch bands. Google is also adding new shades across the board to better complement the updated cases. It’s not a radical redesign, but the new colorways give buyers more flexibility to mix and match and lean into either sporty or luxury aesthetics.

Pixel Watch 4: Release date, pricing, and pre-order

As of this writing, the Pixel Watch 4 is not yet available for pre-order, but we expect it to be available shortly. A Google spokesperson told us the Pixel Watch 4 won't ship and appear on store shelves until Oct. 9, however.

• Pixel Watch 4, 41mm: $349 for Wi-Fi and $449 for LTE

• Pixel Watch 4, 45mm: $399 for Wi-Fi and $499 for LTE

Googles new Pixel 10 smartphone just landed with one critical camera upgrade

Google's latest baseline Pixel phone brings one important camera upgrade to the table.

In the age of incremental phone upgrades, Google just gave the Pixel 10 a leg up over a lot of other baseline flagship smartphones.

For its Made by Google event on Wednesday, Google lifted the veil off the Pixel 10 lineup today. The base model, which starts at $799, looks and seems very similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 9, with a similar design language to last year's phone. In the interest of not wasting time, the biggest upgrade Google gave the Pixel 10 this year is a third rear telephoto camera lens, which the base Pixel model has never had before.

We got an up-close look at the new Pixel 10 phones recently, and we've got a full breakdown for you. The new Pixel 10 smartphone also launches alongside a new Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a.

Pixel 10: By the numbers

Pixel 10 comes in four colors: Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian. Here are the most important specs to know:

• 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• 12GB RAM

• 128GB/256GB storage

• Google Tensor G5 chipset

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto

• Front camera: 10.5MP

• 4,970mAh battery

Setting aside the camera changes for a second, many of those specs will look familiar to anyone who used a Pixel 9. The display is almost exactly the same, just with higher peak brightness. RAM and storage are unchanged, though the new Tensor G5 chip should theoretically provide performance boosts. One big thing to note is the battery, which Google says can last for more than 30 hours. Battery life has been a complaint with recent Pixel phones, so that will be something to watch once the Pixel 10 is out there in the wild.

Pixel 10 cameras: One step forward, two steps back

Unfortunately, the addition of a telephoto camera seems to have impacted the other two rear lenses. Last year's Pixel 9 had 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide modules on the back, but those have been downgraded in terms of megapixel count. They'll more than likely still be able to capture great photos (this has been a staple of the Pixel brand for years), but going purely by the numbers, that is a step down. However, the ability to capture high-quality zoom shots might make up for that.

Of course, there are some new AI features across the Pixel 10 lineup, as well. A new feature called "Magic Cue" can recognize what you're doing and pull up context-sensitive suggestions, with one example being pulling up flight information when you call an airline. Live Translate is coming to phone calls, while the new Daily Hub gives you a rundown of what your day is looking like, including scheduled activities, weather, and news that is relevant to your interests.

How does the Pixel 10 differ from the Pixel 10 Pro?

The Pixel 10 Pro comes with the usual step-up in key specs. Specifically, the base model comes with 12GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage, while the Pro starts with 16GB of RAM and goes up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 10 does offer the same Google Tensor G5 processor as its big siblings

The Pixel 10 also sacrifices camera quality in the name of affordability. The Pixel 10 has a 10.5MP dual selfie camera, and its zoom lens maxes out at 20x. Compare that to the Pro's 42MP selfie cameras and 100x zoom. The Pro can also shoot up to 8K video, a feature the base Pixel 10 lacks.

Finally, there are different color options. If you liked the bubblegum pink available with the Pixel 9, there is a light pink available in the 10 Pro line.

Preorder details

Pixel 10 launches on Aug. 28 and is available for preorder now. The new Pixel smartphone is priced at $799, while the Pro model is priced at $999.

The ROG Xbox Ally is live at Best Buy, but its not available for preorder just yet

The ROG Xbox Ally is listed on Best Buy. We have the specs and release date, but the price is still TBD. Here's everything we know.

We’re in the final stages before the official launch of the new ROG Xbox Ally and its even more powerful sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X. As of Aug. 20, the official Best Buy product pages are live with specs for both models, but the price and preorder option are conveniently absent.

So, what’s the holdup? In an interview with IGN (our sister site), Microsoft and Asus said they still needed "more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing.” Asus senior vice president Shawn Yen added that they expect to share more on pricing in September or October.

Price aside, Asus has confirmed plenty of other details. We know for sure that both handhelds are set to hit store shelves on Oct. 16. The public will also get its first chance to go hands-on with the devices this week at Gamescom 2025.

We also have a pretty good idea of the specs:

• The ROG Xbox Ally X will feature a new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery. This model will also get exclusive AI-powered features early next year, like Automatic Super Resolution for upscaling games and AI-generated highlight reels of your gameplay.

• The standard ROG Xbox Ally will run on an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 60Wh battery.

For now, all we can do is head over to the new Best Buy pages to sign up for notifications. And while the retail site Dealabs has reported rumored U.S. prices of $899 for the Ally X and $549 for the standard Ally, those remain unconfirmed until Microsoft and Asus make the final call.

The Ninja Slushi is worth the money — but today only its on sale for $110 off

The Ninja Slushi (factory reconditioned/refurbished) is on sale for $239.99 on Woot as of Aug. 20. That's a rare $110 discount.

SAVE $110: The Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker (factory reconditioned/refurbished) is on sale for $239.99 as one of Woot's daily deals on Aug. 20. That's a 31% discount on the Slushi's MSRP that matches the lowest price we've seen.

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My colleague Leah Stodart isn't just an experienced reporter who can tell you everything there is to know about robot vacuums and TVs. She's also a noted frozen beverage connoisseur. So, when we needed someone to review the mega-viral Ninja Slushi last fall, it only made sense that Leah put it to work on her countertop.

After having the Slushi make a frozen version of every drink she could think of, Leah determined that the appliance is a little extra if you already own a blender, but ultimately a fun, worth-it splurge for her fellow frosé enthusiasts. Today, it's slightly less of a splurge thanks to a limited-time deal at Woot that brings it down to $239.99 (normally $349.99) — a 31% discount that matches a record-low price we haven't seen there since April. It'll hang around until midnight CT today, unless it sells out first.

There is one catch, which is that Woot's heavily reduced Slushis are only available in factory reconditioned or refurbished condition. (That's not entirely shocking: The Slushi is rare to find on sale brand-new.) According to Woot's refurb glossary, both terms effectively mean the same thing, which is that the product has been "returned, inspected, and restored to fully working condition." Either way, the Slushi is covered by Woot's 90-day warranty instead of Ninja's one-year warranty.

The factory reconditioned Slushis come in the standard Black finish, while the refurbished ones are available in Black/Teal or Light Blue.

For the uninitiated, the Slushi features "RapidChill Technology" that can slushi-fy drinks in under an hour without the help of any extra ice. It comes with a massive 88-ounce reservoir and preset buttons for making slush, spiked slush, frappés, milkshakes, and frozen juices. Plus, it disassembles into four parts that can be tossed in the dishwasher between uses for easy cleanup.

For more intel, read Leah's full Slushi review and check out our dedicated guide to the best Ninja kitchen appliances.

A sock-knitting bean beat AI on the App Store. Thanks, Hank Green.

Hank Green’s new app, Focus Friend, uses beans and knitting to help people spend less time on their phones.

I have always cared about beans. Hank Green is exploiting that love to encourage me to spend time off my phone.

Green, who is famous for always working on many projects at once, created Focus Friend a few days ago. It's already the number one free app on the App Store, usurping ChatGPT, and has been downloaded over 100,000 times on the Google Play Store. All you do is spend time off your phone. The bean knits a sock, and you use that sock to decorate the bean's house. It's kind of like cozy gaming, but you don't spend much time actually gaming.

"It's an app that installs a bean in your phone. And the bean really wants to spend more time knitting," he explained in a TikTok video on Monday. "You can focus for an amount of time, and that will let the bean make socks or scarves, and you can trade those socks or scarves in for more furniture in the bean's room."

While the game is free, there are in-app purchases. For instance, if you spend a little money, your bean can be a cat bean or a coffee bean instead of the automatic pinto bean, or your bean can knit scarves instead of socks, which are worth more. Users have asked for more characters for free, but Green defends his use of in-app purchases because the app itself is completely ad-free, and the in-app purchases don't actually make the app run better; they just make it a bit more personalizable. He explains that he discussed adding advertisements with the developer, an indie app creator named Bria, because it would likely be incredibly lucrative and would allow them to further develop the app faster.

"The app is about giving people their time back. It's about letting people be in control of their attention, not selling their attention to someone else," he said in another TikTok video. "So what we decided to do is a free app with no ads, and that means in-app purchases. And that doesn't break the app."

And, for the most part, people seem pretty pleased with that decision.

"I love the app!!! This is convincing me to get the paid version. Thank you for creating it!" one person commented.

"It not having ads is what made me download it. Thank you!" another person commented.

Of course, not everyone is totally pleased with every aspect of the app. For instance, @lucieeatsatl has beef with the currencies. "The regular currencies are socks and the premium currencies are scarves," she said in a TikTok video with more than 66,000 views. "However, as a knitter, it feels obvious that they should be switche[d]. Socks are generally considered to be a much harder project tha[n] scarves."

Jokes aside, this app is pretty nice. I love my bean and want to give him a good home.

Grok made hundreds of thousands of chats public, searchable on Google

If you "share" a Grok conversation, it reportedly publishes and becomes searchable on Google.

Conversations with Grok, the chatbot from Elon Musk's xAI, can be publicly searched on Google depending on which buttons were pressed, a new report from Forbes revealed.

Grok's "share" button — what you might use to email or text a chatbot conversation — creates a unique URL that is made available to search engines like Google, the report states. That effectively means the "share" button publishes your conversation for the world.

Forbes reported there is no warning of this feature and that thus far more than 370,000 conversations have been indexed by Google. Some of the conversations reportedly contained sensitive information, such as medical questions, personal details, and, in at least one instance, a password.

Forbes noted it had not received a response to a request for comment. Mashable has reached out to xAI, too, and did not immediately receive a response, but will update the story accordingly if we hear back.

ChatGPT also made chats searchable on Google recently

Musk's Grok isn't the only AI chatbot to make chats public, however. As we covered at Mashable earlier this month, ChatGPT similarly made chats searchable on Google after users clicked the "share" button. OpenAI quickly reversed course, however, after a backlash.

"This was a short-lived experiment to help people discover useful conversations," OpenAI Chief Information Security Officer Dane Stuckey wrote on X at the time. "This feature required users to opt-in, first by picking a chat to share, then by clicking a checkbox for it to be shared with search engines (see below)."

Stuckey said they removed the feature over worries folks would accidentally share information with search engines. It appears, according to the report from Forbes, that Grok not only makes conversations searchable — it's also not an opt-in experience. In other words, the second you "share" a conversation, you share it with the world.

Musk — who is aggressively feuding with OpenAI these days — took a victory lap when the ChatGPT news broke. "Grok FTW," he wrote on X. Now it appears his company is having the exact same issue.

Amazons next Fire tablet will be Android-powered, reports say

Amazon's next Fire tablet will have an Android operating system, according to reports. The higher-end tablet will also have a bigger price tag.

Will the next Amazon Fire tablet have a Android operating system? If that's the case, prepare for a major price hike.

According unnamed insiders that spoke to Reuters, Amazon is planning a strategic overhaul of its Fire tablets which would involve using an open source version of the Android operating system.

The project, internally dubbed "Kittyhawk," would offer a higher-end tablet to compete with the iPad and other more advanced tablets and, critically, appease consumers and app developers who are frustrated by Amazon's in-house operating system.

Currently, Amazon Fire's software is a custom version of the Android operating system that's been modified for simple functionality to fit the more budget-friendly consumer demand. Amazon's most expensive tablet, the Fire Max 11 costs $230, compared the cheapest iPad, which is $350. Amazon is reportedly discussing a $400 price point for the new Fire tablet, although further details are unknown.

Amazon has strategically sold cheaper tablets to appeal to budget-friendly consumers, but that reportedly makes the profit margins slim and the strategy has "held back sales, particularly among consumers who seek higher-performing devices," according to the report. Simpler tablets means compromising on features like battery life and screen quality.

Plus, because Amazon makes it own software for the Fire tablets, developers have to make versions of their apps that fit those specific requirements. Amazon has avoided relying on third-party software up to this point. But “consumers have always expressed a concern about not having access to the latest Android versions, not having access to some of their apps because Amazon used their own store,” IT researcher Jitesh Ubrani told Reuters.

The next Fire tablet is due next year, meaning we could see an Android-powered, more expensive Fire tablet very soon.

Ankers latest portable power station charges to 100% in less than an hour: Preorder now

Anker just launched its Solix C1000 gen 2 portable power station for preorder. It's fast, portable, and a lifesaver in an emergency.

September is just around the corner, and while that means the start of a new school year, it's also the peak of hurricane season, so it's no wonder that September is also National Preparedness Month. And just in time for a month focused on disaster preparedness comes Anker's newest portable power station. The Anker Solix C1000 Gen2 Portable Power Station is one of the fastest charging stations to come to market and is available for preorder now at $799.

This latest Anker power station is the second generation of the Anker Solix C1000 (which received a Mashable Choice Award), and one of the fastest charging models on the market. The brand claims that the new power station comes to 100 percent charge in just 49 minutes. It can support up to five 2000W devices at a time and can also receive 600W of solar input.

It's designed as a crisis-response device if a blackout occurs, able to power up WiFi routers and keep devices charged. It provides an Uninterruptible Power Supply system so you can use it to power up crucial devices, and in the case of a power outage, it will kick on to keep them going.

It's safe for both indoor and outdoor daily use and can support up to 10 devices at a time. While it isn't a replacement for a generator, it can be a lifeline in a pinch.

The Anker Solix C1000 Gen2 Portable Power Station is available for preorder now at Anker, and will be available for purchase on September 8, 2025, at Anker and Amazon.

Take $1,500 off the major Bluetti Apex 300 power station with backup batteries and solar panels

The Bluetti Apex 300 bundle with two B300K battery expansions and two 350W solar panels is on sale at Amazon for $4,699, down from the standard price of $6,199. That's a 24% discount.

SAVE 24%: The Bluetti Apex 300 bundle with two B300K expansion batteries and two 350W solar panels is on sale at Amazon for $4,699, down from the normal price of $6,199. That's a savings of $1,500 and the best discount we've ever seen on the bundle.

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Now that summer is ending, the kids are back to school, and we're about to welcome 12-foot skelly season, it's time to consider fall and winter storms. Fall storms can be especially brutal, knocking down fresh spring and summer growth which can often lead to power outages. If you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes or intense storms, check out this sale at Amazon that could be a lifesaver.

As of Aug. 20, the Bluetti Apex 300 power station bundle with two B300K expansion batteries and two 350W solar panels is on sale for $4,699 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $6,199. That works out to a 24% discount and a savings of $1,500. Bluetti recently launched the Apex 300 earlier in August, which makes this the first (and lowest) discount we've ever seen on this bundle.

Portable power stations are now a must-pack camping essential, making sure your phones, camp lights, and cooking gadgets stay powered up. But if you're looking for something to keep your home's power connected even when a storm knocks down power cables, you want something bigger. Bluetti makes some of the most cutting-edge and advanced power stations, and the brand-new Apex 300 is a beast that means business.

This deal includes the Apex 300 power station itself, which has a major 2,764Wh capacity; two B300K expansion batteries, which each have another 2,764Wh; and two 350W solar panels. In total, you're looking at 8,294Wh of power for your home during an outage. Plus, the dual 350W solar panels can help make sure the power station stays juiced.

The Bluetti Apex 300 bundle means when the power goes out, you can still keep the refrigerator cooling, the air fryer cooking dinner, and the TV playing your favorite movies. Come winter, you can also keep electric heating going. Since the Bluetti Apex 300 has dual voltage power of 120 and 240V, you'll be able to keep the refrigerator and EV charger going at the same time, for example.

The Bluetti Apex 300 can recharge from standard AC wall power, car power, solar panels, and even from a generator. The Apex 300 itself and the two battery expansions all use LiFePO4 battery, which Bluetti says can handle over 6,000 cycles. That means you can deplete the battery every day for 16 over years before it'll start losing efficiency.

If you've been dreading heading into another storm season without home backup for power cuts, today's deal at Amazon on the Bluetti Apex 300 bundle is your sign that it's time to upgrade. You and your family will be in great hands for staying powered up during the next outage.

Xboxs new ROG Xbox Ally handheld consoles are coming soon (updated)

Asus has confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are set for release on Oct. 16, but we still don't know their pricing.

After a series of leaks this spring, Microsoft's gaming division revealed an Xbox-branded version of the Asus ROG Ally handheld during a June showcase. Two of them, actually: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both devices appear to take the basic concept of the original ROG Ally and adapt it for Xbox players by adding controller-like grips and a new user interface that retains all the compatibility with Windows while presenting things in a more game console-like manner.

Months later, Asus has now confirmed that both devices will launch on Thursday, October 16, though their pricing and preorder details are still weeks away. Speaking to our sister site IGN at Gamescom Wednesday, Microsoft and Asus both said they still needed "more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing" — presumably referring to fluctuating U.S. tariffs.

In the meantime, consumers can sign up to get notified when both handhelds are available at Best Buy and the Microsoft Store.

The main reason why you might want to get one of these instead of a Steam Deck is if you're already an avid Xbox Game Pass user. Microsoft is promising the full suite of Game Pass features, such as local downloads, game streaming, and remote play. It's possible to access Game Pass on a Steam Deck if you feel like jumping through some technical hoops, but by default, that device is locked to whatever is on your Steam library.

Since the Xbox Ally consoles are Windows-based, you can access any PC gaming library you want as long as it's compatible with Windows. The central UI will consolidate all of your games across every app into one place, too, which is nice.

As for specs, both Xbox Ally handhelds have the same 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, putting it roughly in line with the Nintendo Switch 2. The Xbox Ally has an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, while the Ally X has a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor with a built-in NPU that supports features like highlight reels and Automatic Super Resolution. (The latter is an AI upscaler previously exclusive to certain Copilot+ PCs.) It will be the more powerful and certainly more expensive option.

Other differences between the two models that we know about right now mostly come down to memory, storage, and battery size. The base Xbox Ally has 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 60Wh battery, while the Ally X has 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and an 80Wh battery.

In many ways, the Xbox Ally is a better value proposition right now than a Steam Deck, but it's also possible that it costs significantly more. And there's only one gaming handheld that can (legally and legitimately) play Mario Kart World.

UPDATE: Aug. 20, 2025, 10:35 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with additional details about the ROG Xbox Allys' pricing and links to their preorder listings at Best Buy.

Grab the perfectly portable Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for $15 off and charge on the go

As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for its $15 off at Amazon.

SAVE $15: As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for $34.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's a discount of 30%.

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If you always find yourself with a dead or dying phone or one of many other electronic devices, it might be time to invest in a portable charger. You don't have to spend a lot on one. In fact, there are some excellent options out there that'll cost you less than the price of a dinner at your favorite mid-price restaurant. And you'll be able to use your phone, tablet, or other gadget when you can't get to an outlet without having to freak out. Case in point: today's Anker Zolo deal at Amazon.

As of Aug. 20, get the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for $34.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's $15 off and a discount of 30%. This price applies to all four colorways: black, blue, pink, and white.

This small but mighty charger packs 10,000mAh into a small package. It comes in fun pastel colors and has its own built-in USB-C cable, so you never have to scramble to find one in a pinch. It also offers USB-C and USB-A ports if you need to charge multiple devices or have something that doesn't support USB-C. With its 30W two-way fast-charging, it can resurrect your phone in almost no time flat.

The display gives you a quick readout reference to what kind of percentage is left in your charger with the press of a button. You should be able to get a few full charges out of it, depending on what you use it for. And it won't add a lot of bulk to your belongings to add one or two just for the sake of being prepared.

If you need a reliable charger that won't break the bank, consider this one for style points and affordability.

Upgrade to the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air while its under $1,000

The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air with an M4 chip is still sitting at its best price ever, just $999, at Amazon and Best Buy.

SAVE $200: As of Aug. 20, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $999 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 17% off its $1,199 list price and its lowest price to date.

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Still debating which MacBook is right for you? We are big fans of the M4 MacBook Air. Not only is it our favorite MacBook for most people, but it also earned a top spot on our list of the best laptops of 2025. We think it's a great value even at full price, but during back-to-school season, you can slash $200 off.

As of Aug. 20, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for only $999 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 17%, or $200, off its sticker price of $1,199. This best-ever price has stuck around for a few weeks, so you still have a chance to upgrade your laptop for less. We can't guarantee how much longer it will last with the back-to-school season coming to a close, so we encourage you to pull the trigger ASAP. (Psst: If you want a bit more storage, the 512GB model is also sitting at its lowest price ever at $1,199.)

A Mashable Choice Award winner, the M4 MacBook Air is "a fantastic pick for students, professionals, and anyone else in need of a polished, relatively portable laptop, especially those ready to give up an Intel or M1-era MacBook," Mashable's laptop expert Haley Henschel writes. The M4 processor is blazing fast (24 percent faster than the M3), yet runs near-silently. The battery life is impressive and can last you all day. The webcam is better than previous models. Plus, it's cheaper than before, making it the "best-buy Apple laptop, period," according to our reviewer Stan Schroeder. At $200 off, it's a no-brainer if you're looking to upgrade.

Deal alert: The LifeStraw is down to its lowest price in 30 days

As of Aug. 20, you can get the LifeStraw Peak Series water filter straw for just $18.74, down from $24.95, at Amazon.

SAVE 25%: As of Aug. 20, you can get the LifeStraw Peak Series water filter straw for just $18.74, down from $24.95, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and $6.21 in savings.

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Whether you're hitting the trails or just building an emergency kit, a personal water filter can be a true lifesaver.

As of Aug. 20, you can get the LifeStraw Peak Series water filter for just $18.74 at Amazon, down from its usual $24.95. That’s a 25% discount, and while it isn't an all-time low, it is the best price we’ve seen in the last 30 days. (It’s also a Mashable reader favorite.)

The LifeStraw is built to protect you from 99.999999% of bacteria (like E. coli and Salmonella), 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia), and 99.999% of microplastics. It also filters out silt and sand, and its enhanced design helps prevent clogging for a better flow rate.

It’s super lightweight, durable, and can be attached to most water bottles. Plus, the filter has an unlimited shelf life, so you can pop it in your emergency bag and forget about it. One filter lasts for up to 1,000 gallons — that’s enough drinking water for one person for over five years.

Grab the Soundcore Boom 3i portable speaker for under $100 at Amazon

The Soundcore Boom 3i speaker is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the list price of $139.99. That's a 29% discount.

SAVE $40: The Soundcore Boom 3i speaker (black) is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the list price of $139.99. That's a 29% discount.

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Summer might be winding down, but that doesn't mean the outdoor adventures need to hit pause. With warming summers all over the globe, fall outdoor events offer some of the best weather that doesn't require a personal fan. If you have plans to head to the beach this fall or are even thinking ahead to next year's adventures, check out this portable Bluetooth speaker that's on sale at Amazon.

As of Aug. 20, the Soundcore Boom 3i speaker (black) is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $139.99. That's a 29% discount that takes $40 off the list price. Other colorways are also on sale for $109.99 like brown, green, and blue. If you prefer those colorways, you'll be in for a $30 savings from a 21% discount.

Plenty of portable Bluetooth speakers have bragging rights of being outdoor-worthy with features like water and dust resistance. The Soundcore Boom 3i is both of those, but it's also resistant to corrosion from saltwater, something not all speakers can claim. Plus, it's drop-proof as long as it doesn't travel more than about three feet to the ground.

The Soundcore Boom 3i speaker gets about 16 hours of battery life before it'll need a recharge, which makes it worthy of any day or even weekend trip. The included detachable strap makes this speaker just that much more adventure friendly. Another awesome feature for outdoor exploration is the speaker's ability to work as an emergency alarm, sending out a loud SOS signal which can be heard from over 300 feet away.

Come evening campfire time, the Soundcore Boom 3i has a light show mode that keeps in sync with the beat. You can choose from four ambient light options in the Soundcore app, as well as customize color preferences. Overall, the brand makes some of our favorite audio devices, including the new Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, which would also be awesome for packing on an overnight trip.

While the black colorway is on sale at Amazon for under $100, upgrade your portable Bluetooth speaker to the Soundcore Boom 3i. With it, you'll be able to release any anxiety about your speaker taking a dip in the ocean.

Kiss of the Spider Woman trailer: Jennifer Lopez sings and sparkles in movie musical

Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh star in "Kiss of the Spider Woman," a musical from "Dreamgirls" director Bill Condon.

Jennifer Lopez unleashes her star power in upcoming musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, written and directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls).

The film is based on the Tony-winning stage musical of the same name, which is in turn based on the 1976 novel by Manuel Puig. In 1985, prior to the release of the musical, director Héctor Babenco also adapted Puig's novel to the screen. His Kiss of the Spider Woman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and star William Hurt won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Just like in prior adaptations, Condon's Kiss of the Spider Woman sees political prisoner Valentín (Diego Luna) sharing a prison cell with queer window dresser Molina (Tonatiuh), who's been convicted of public indecency. This version of Kiss of the Spider Woman makes more clear than other versions that Molina is a trans woman.

Valentín and Molina form an unlikely bond during their time in prison, with Molina telling Valentín the plot of her favorite Hollywood musical: Kiss of the Spider Woman. The film's lead is Ingrid Luna (Lopez), Molina's favorite actress of all time.

The film's trailer above features Lopez letting loose in dazzling song and dance sequences, with Luna and Tonatiuh getting in on the action, too. However, while Kiss of the Spider Woman received mostly positive reviews out of its premiere at 2025's Sundance Film Festival, not every critic was impressed.

In his review for Mashable out of Sundance, critic Siddhant Adlakha wrote, "The story is ripe for visual re-invention — or at the very least, visual panache. And while Condon’s version aims for something grandiose (while featuring updated sexual politics), its execution fails to capture the imagination, let alone anything resembling time and place."

Kiss of the Spider Woman hits theaters Oct. 10.

Want to buy Teslas six-seat Model YL? Weve got bad and worse news.

Elon Musk confirmed that the six-seat version of the Model Y won't be available in the U.S. very soon.

Earlier this week, Tesla launched a six-seater version of its most popular SUV, dubbed the Tesla Model YL. We've got the details, but in short, it's a bit larger than the Model Y, with six seats instead of five, nearly the same range, and a slightly higher price tag.

Given that the only six-seater Tesla option globally is the far pricier Model X, a lot of potential buyers probably hoped that the Model YL would come to the U.S. as well. That might never happen, and if it does, it won't be very soon.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed this in a tweet.

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"This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year. Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America," he wrote.

At best, U.S. buyers won't be able to get a Model YL until very late 2026 or, more likely, early 2027.

As for the "advent of self-driving," Musk is referring to the company's recently launched and fast-expanding Robotaxi service. It's only available in a handful of cities and areas in the U.S. right now, but Musk said the plan was to offer Robotaxis to "half the population" of the U.S. by year's end.

That's very unlikely to happen. The Robotaxi service is currently in a sort of closed beta, and isn't exactly autonomous either, especially in the Bay Area where a driver must be present at all times. Even if Tesla could pull it off, the service would still need to be approved by regulators, and it's hard to imagine the company getting the green light in so many U.S. cities in the next four months.

It's not entirely clear why self-driving would impact a six-seat variant of the Model Y, either, and Musk offered no further explanation.

Tesla's chief also didn't mention markets other than the U.S., so potential buyers can still hope that the Model YL will arrive there a bit sooner.

Dont miss the Fire TV Stick HD for under $25 at Amazon — save $10 right now

As of Aug. 20, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale at Amazon for $24.99. That's 29% off its list price of $34.99.

SAVE $10: As of Aug. 20, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. This is 29% off its list price of $34.99.

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With the colder months around the corner, there's no better time to pick up a streaming device to keep you busy with new shows and movies on all your favorite platforms. If you've been hoping to pick up something without dropping a ton of cash on something super fancy, Amazon has a discount right now on its Fire TV Stick HD that's worth a look.

At just $24.99 on Amazon, this is a 29% discount from its usual list price of $34.99. It's worth keeping in mind that the Fire TV Stick HD offer is marked as a limited-time deal right now, so if it has been on your radar, now is the time to pick it up.

If you have an HD TV, the Fire TV Stick HD supports 1080p Full HD picture quality to enjoy your favorite shows and movies. It's also an Alexa Voice Remote, so you can use your voice to search for the next best thing to watch. And with its simple setup, you'll be able to jump into a new show to binge-watch or dive into a movie right away.

Now is your chance to score the Fire TV Stick HD for just $24.99 at Amazon. And if you'd prefer a higher-quality streaming stick to go with your 4K TV, the good news is you can also save on the 4K Fire TV Stick right now at Amazon.

Pokémon TCG price watch: Top bumps and cuts for August 20, 2025

As of Aug. 20, Seismitoad IR is up 227% while Reshiram SIR is down 16% — here’s the latest Pokémon TCG price watch.

The Pokémon TCG market continues to shift as we settle into the post-release rhythm of Scarlet & Violet's Black Bolt and White Flare sets. These dual expansions brought a flood of gorgeous Special Illustration Rares and high-powered ex cards, but we’re now seeing where true collector and player demand is starting to settle. Not every high-rarity card is holding its launch-day hype.

On the bumps side of things, it's been a good week for Illustration Rares. Seismitoad, Emboar, and Zoroark are seeing impressive price climbs, mostly thanks to standout artwork and nostalgic character choices. We’re also watching some Special Illustration Rare ex cards like Kyurem and Zekrom tick upward, with a nice mix of playability and visual appeal fueling their growth.

But of course, where some cards rise, others drop. We’re starting to see the heat fade on a few previously high-flying cards from the same sets. Victini and both versions of Reshiram ex have taken a hit, and even Zekrom ex is showing signs of early price correction. It's a reminder that even beloved Legendaries can cool quickly if they don't deliver ongoing value for collectors or competitive players.

Pokémon card bumps

Some cards are climbing the ranks fast this week, especially among the Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare crowd. Here's a look at what's gaining ground:

• Kyurem ex – 165/086 (SIR) — $69.69 $61.51 (+13.3%)

• Zekrom ex – 166/086 (SIR) — $199.99 $184.97 (+8.1%)

• Seismitoad – 105/086 (IR) — $180 $55.00 (+227%)

• Zoroark – 143/086 (IR) — $40.32 $32.53 (+23.9%)

• Emboar – 098/086 (IR) — $40.32 $19.99 (+101.7%)

Let’s start with Seismitoad. This card absolutely exploded in value, and it has almost nothing to do with competitive play. The Round attack is more of a meme deck archetype than a serious threat, but the Illustration Rare artwork is doing all the heavy lifting here. Collectors love it, and demand has skyrocketed as people scramble to secure a copy.

Emboar and Zoroark IRs are following a similar trajectory. Emboar's Inferno Fandango ability is a classic callback, and while it's not standard-legal, it’s hitting the nostalgia button hard for longtime fans. Zoroark, on the other hand, has always had solid fan appeal, and the Foul Play attack still gives it decent versatility in casual formats. Their IR treatments are strong enough to carry their value.

Kyurem ex and Zekrom ex, both in SIR form, are up too. They’re not meta staples by any stretch, but they’re playable enough and look incredible. These are the kinds of cards that don’t need to be tournament-dominant to justify their prices. When the art is good and the card isn’t dead weight in a binder, that’s often enough to spark upward movement.

Pokémon card cuts

As new cards rise, others inevitably fall. A handful of big-name Legendaries are seeing their prices cool off this week:

• Victini – 172/086 (BWR) — $449 $473.15 (-5.2%)

• Victini – 171/086 (BWR) — $439.99 $450.35 (-2.3%)

• Reshiram ex – 173/086 (BWR) — $399.99 $431.11 (-7.2%)

• Zekrom ex – 172/086 (BWR) — $375 $389.99 (-3.8%)

• Reshiram ex – 166/086 (SIR) — $197 $235.24 (-16.3%)

Victini’s modest drop is no huge surprise. It had a lot of early hype from collectors, but with V-Force requiring a full bench to function, it's not showing up in many competitive decks. As the novelty wears off, we’re seeing a slow but steady price retreat.

Reshiram ex is in a similar boat. Blaze Burst is flashy, especially in the late game, but the discard cost and reliance on your opponent's Prize count make it unreliable. The BWR version is dipping gently, but the SIR variant has taken a bigger hit. That suggests collectors might be pivoting toward cheaper IR options or just moving on entirely from Reshiram for now.

Zekrom ex's drop is smaller, but it's still part of the same trend. Voltage Burst has potential, especially when you're behind, but self-damage makes it clunky. And with the SIR version rising, the BWR version just isn’t pulling as much attention.

Black Bolt and White Flare sealed product

If you're eyeing sealed product instead of singles, Black Bolt and White Flare boxes are still widely available, especially in Japanese. Booster boxes are hovering around $94.50–$101.75 each depending on the vendor, and paired ETBs can be found for roughly $202.90:

• Black Bolt Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box — $157

• White Flare Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box — $139.99

• Unova Mini Tin Display (Black Bolt) — $131.99

• Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box — $88

• White Flare Elite Trainer Box — $76.01

• White Flare Booster Bundle — $62.10

• Black Bolt Booster Bundle — $61.45

• White Flare Binder Collection — $51.50

• Black Bolt Binder Collection — $51.49

• Unova Victini Illustration Collection — $37.20

• Unova Poster Collection — $31.99

• Black Bolt Tech Sticker Collection — $27.99

• White Flare Tech Sticker Collection — $26

• Black Bolt Booster Pack — $9.26

• White Flare Booster Pack — $8.78

These sets are collector-heavy releases. Pull rates for Illustration Rares are solid, with about one IR in every six packs, while BWR and SIR cards are significantly harder to hit. The big appeal here is the Unova-themed nostalgia and some truly beautiful card art. But competitively, these sets haven’t made a huge splash.

That means sealed product is mostly a play for long-term hold value or for fans who just want a beautiful rip experience. If you’re into art collecting, there’s definitely value here, but if you’re expecting meta-shaking cards, you might be better off looking at older sets or newer meta-focused expansions.

Still, if you're chasing the thrill of a rare pull or looking to stash some sealed boxes away, now is a good time while prices are stable and supply is decent. As with many mini-sets, we could see these boxes creep up in value over time, especially if specific IRs or promos from the set gain traction later on.

How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

How to play the domino-based game Pips, the latest offering from the New York Times.

The New York Times has launched Pips, the latest entry in its daily habit-forming catalogue of games that includes Wordle, Connections, and Strands.

Released in August 2025, Pips is dominoes with a twist. You don't have to be good at dominoes to be good at Pips, which is designed to be a single-player experience.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a solid foundation for Pips. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The key difference for Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. Unlike dominoes, touching tiles don't have to match.

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.

There are three difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard. The more difficult the setting, the more tiles to place and the more conditions that must be met.

Here are common examples you'll run into across 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.

If you get stuck, check out our hints for today's Pips puzzle.

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

Alien: Earth episode 3: Inside the big Xenomorph fight

Mashable chats with "Alien: Earth" stars Sydney Chandler and Alex Lawther about their characters, fighting Xenomorphs, and voice notes.

Despite its lineup of parasitic extraterrestrials, rival corporations, and jaw-dropping action sequences, Noah Hawley's FX series Alien: Earth is a story about humanity — with a pair of long-lost siblings at its core.

Marcy (Sydney Chandler) and Joe (Alex Lawther) are known, respectively, as Wendy (after the Peter Pan matriarch) and Hermit (for their father's army callsign). The latter is a human, the former a hybrid, a pair who find themselves reconnected through an Ice Age in-joke, then come face-to-face in the ruins of a crashed Weyland-Yutani spaceship.

Mashable sat down with Chandler and Lawther to unpack their Alien: Earth characters, the major Xenomorph fight in episode 3, and how voice notes helped build their sibling bond.

Sydney Chandler and Alex Lawther bonded through voice notes and ANOHNI

Forming this bond between brother and sister saw Lawther looking to music to establish their connection, with The End of the F***ing World actor sending ANOHNI and the Johnsons' 2005 heartbreaker, "You Are My Sister," to Chandler.

"That song by ANOHNI, I'm not sure it's about a literal biological sibling relationship; it's about her sisters, I imagine her queer sisters. But it speaks to an immense love, an immense, familial bond, and about one person looking after the other when it's nighttime and there's scary things in the shadows," Lawther tells Mashable. "It just makes me cry every time. Even just thinking of that song makes me cry."

Another platform for the actors to establish their shared history as siblings? Chandler and Lawther would send voice notes back and forth to each other, initially as themselves, then testing a few as their characters Joe and Marcy during pre-production.

"I actually listened through, it was really interesting," Chandler tells Mashable. "It kind of just started because we had a few back and forth as us, and then I remember when I was like, 'Do you remember that night when Dad...' and then you [Lawther] would add on to it. None of that stuff came up specifically for me when working, but having that texture and hearing your voice and speaking to you in that way gave me an immediate history with you. And we had a secret, because no one else had that. No one else knew those pieces."

Inside the epic Xenomorph fight in episode 3

One of the more outstanding action sequences in Alien: Earth lies in episode 3, when Joe and Marcy go head-to-head with the dreaded Xenomorph in the crumbling tower's parking garage. Working closely with the Alien: Earth stunt team and a lot of KY Jelly, the sequence saw Chandler and Lawther in few weeks of night shoots — and giving it their all.

"I felt like I ran a marathon," says Chandler.

"We're so over enthusiastic," agrees Lawther. "Like, we would be giving 110 percent when really we could be doing 70."

"We were like, we want to be the A+ students," says Chandler. "My favorite days on set, too, we'd be doing pushups or jumping jacks or running in place really fast."

In one of the most air-punching moments of the sequence, Marcy uses a massive hook to drag the Xenomorph off her brother and into an elevator to take care of it once and for all. Chandler worked closely with her stunt double, Mickey Facchinello to bring the nail-biting sequence to life.

"When you have the hook in your hand, it's so badass," Lawther tells Chandler. "But also that sequence that you do, it's so good. I remember Mickey, who was your stunt double, and also doing some stunt training with us all, showing you and you just picking it up and doing it all."

"She was incredible. Mickey is like...I have so much love for her. Really incredible stunt. The whole stunt team nailed it," adds Chandler.

"The slow-mo did a lot of work for me, to be honest. Maybe I should just always be in slow-mo."

Lawther's character Joe also gets multiple moments of slow-motion action in the series, usually featuring the Xenomorph leaping in terrifying motion behind him or at him — in the stairwell in episode 1, in the apartment in episode 2, and in the garage in episode 3.

"Everything looks great in slow-mo, doesn't it? Like, even like just walking into a room and turning your head something looks really cool," says Lawther. "So the slow-mo did a lot of work for me, to be honest. Maybe I should just always be in slow-mo."

Alien: Earth episodes drop weekly on Hulu and FX at 8pm E.T. on Tuesdays.

Apple to launch new version of FineWoven with iPhone 17, report claims

Apple is reportedly launching a new version of its environmentally-conscious case material this year.

Apple's FineWoven might be on its way out, but it should be replaced with FineWoven 2.0.

This is according to leaker Majin Bu, who claims that Apple plans to launch cases for its upcoming iPhone 17 lineup in a new, non-leather material.

Bu says that the new material will be a synthetic fabric with a "more technical, less luxury vibe." It will reportedly have a visible textile texture, enhanced resistance to scratches and wear and tear compared to FineWoven. Bu also claims it will feel more rubbery and grippy than FineWoven, making it harder to drop, will be some kind of eco-conscious material, and come in four matte colors: green, orange, blue, and purple.

We've first heard rumors about Apple working on a new synthetic case material back in April 2024. FineWoven is nice to the touch, but was quite prone to wearing down after a few months of use. Apple decided to keep some FineWoven accessories around for one more year, but it may finally be time for a change.

Bu also said that Apple "may" introduce Liquid Glass cases, which should offer a "more striking aesthetic," though details are slim on these. Finally, Bu says the silicone cases will come with a lanyard loop, similar to the one on the AirPods Pro 2 case.

All of this should launch alongside the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro in September, but nothing is official at this point.

Gay influencer couple reveals breakup in viral video — then deletes it

Matt Armato and Beau Ciolino, behind the lifestyle brand Probably This, went viral for their breakup video.

This week, a gay influencer couple announced their breakup online, complete with a "split custody" plan for their social media. The internet, in its usual fashion, went into prying auntie mode.

For years, New Orleans-based Matt Armato and Beau Ciolino shared lifestyle blogs and videos under the brand Probably This. They met in 2013 and established the brand in 2014, according to the Probably This website. The formerly married couple posted recipes, home design, and couples' content on their Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Then, in mid-August, Armato and Ciolino shared a video across platforms announcing their split — complete with a fist bump.

"Well, we broke up," Armato announced in the now-deleted video, The Tab reported. (The TikTok video link is now broken, and it wasn't saved on the Wayback Machine. Clips are on X.) Later, he said, "This is like the dumbest video I think I can imagine. This belongs in my journal, not out there, but I want you to know I'm single."

Ciolino, however, appeared to be in higher spirits. He smiled in the video and said it was a privilege to be partners for 12 years and to share their lives online for a decade. "I think that there is so much love between us, and really loving someone knows when to change the format of the relationship, and we've decided to just be best friends," he continued, according to The Tab.

At some point, Ciolino fist-bumped his now-ex. On X, viewers weren't shy to theorize about what happened to cause the breakup, or to psychoanalyze their facial expressions and movements:

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The men also announced that Armato would now control the TikTok account, and Ciolino would control the Instagram account. "They really did social media split custody," X user @computer_gay posted.

The two have since deleted the video from both platforms, presumably because of the reaction it caused. Due to Ciolino's appeared cheerfulness in the video, people guessed that he cheated, and Armato posted on Instagram stories and added a highlight to his profile to share the real story:

In the statement, Armato acknowledged that the video "sparked a lot of reactions," and said he didn't want internet commenters to pile on against his ex.

"He is not a villain, he is a human, and a really beautiful one at that," he wrote.

"One large point of criticism has been the gap between our apparent demeanors. Neither of us was confident addressing this publicly but given that we've built our career together as a couple it felt necessary," he explained. "So what you might see as someone being carelessly giddy I see as nervous posturing and, sure, a bit of relief. I can't fault him for that. I too am relieved to be moving on."

Armato assured that he and Ciolino are still very close.

The discourse surrounding the video soon morphed into one about couples who base their social media presence around their relationship, and how it makes their entire lives "content."

And this isn't the first time that TikTok-famous couples have broken up. When Mashable spoke to such ex-couples in 2024, they shared the downsides of being a public couple — including internet hate and scrutiny into their off-camera lives. The same happened last year when another Instagram-famous queer influencer couple announced their breakup with matching posts.

Armato and Ciolino haven't responded to Mashable's request for comment.

The Apple Studio Display is on sale for a limited time — upgrade your work station for $100 off

Best Apple deal. Save 6% on the Apple Studio Display at Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 20, the Apple Studio Display is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 6% saving on the list price.

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If your home office has been the same since its 2020 inception, a temporary "two weeks at home" setup — then it's time for an upgrade. And right now, the Apple Studio Display is on sale, so you have the perfect excuse to upgrade.

As of Aug. 20, this monitor is on sale for $1,499.99, down from its list price of $1,599. This price is for the tild-adjustable stand with standard glass, and without AppleCare+.

It's compatible with most Apple devices, including any Mac running macOS Monterey 12.3 or later. It's also compatible with certain iPad models, namely the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, and the iPad Air (5th generation).

So, what else does this monitor have going for it? Well, it boasts a 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for a billion colors, so everything you do will look incredibly high quality. It also has a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Apple's Center Stage, meaning your video calls stay focused on you, even if you move around. The three-mic system is also top-notch, making sure your voice comes through loud and clear, and the six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio delivers an immersive listening experience. Perfect for long calls or meetings, or taking a break to watch movies and your favorite shows.

Connectivity-wise, you get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, plus 96W of power delivery to keep your MacBook charged.

Ready for the upgrade? Get this deal from Amazon now.

The hugely popular DJI Mini 4K drone just went on sale — save $50 right now on Amazon

Where to buy DJI drones online. The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 on Amazon.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon. That's $50 off the list price.

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Not familiar with all the fuss about DJI drones lately? President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't order a full ban on Chinese-made drones, but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been circulating for some time.

That uncertainty is driving a massive uptick in sales, with stock constantly falling to low levels. We don't know if or when that stock will actually run dry, but we can understand why some shoppers are scrambling to get their hands on popular models like the DJI Mini 4K drone.

The good news for anyone looking to pick up the DJI Mini 4K drone is that it's currently on sale for $249 at Amazon. That's $50 off list price for Prime members. Not a member? Just get a 30-day free trial to secure this saving.

At the time of writing, this popular drone is being sold by thinkzone. We generally don't recommend third-party sellers, but thinkzone has a decent track record and offers a 30-day money-back warranty. Times are tough right now with these drones, so we'll take what we can get.

The DJI Mini 4K drone offers a host of helpful features for beginners and advanced users. It has a one-tap takeoff function and a lifesaving return to home feature. The three-axis gimbal, 4K quality, advanced wind resistance, and extended battery life are great touches for content creators.

Get the DJI Mini 4K drone for $249 at Amazon before the price flies back up.

The Fire TV Stick 4K is finally back on sale — get $30 off right now at Amazon

As of Aug. 20, the 4K Fire TV Stick is on sale at Amazon for $29.99, 40% off its list price of $49.99.

SAVE $20: As of Aug. 20, the Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. This is 40% off its list price of $49.99.

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With so many shows and films hitting streaming services, it's important to have a high-quality streaming device to watch it all. If you're on the hunt for something new, Amazon is offering a discount at the moment on its Fire TV Stick 4K.

Enjoy crisp 4K quality at an even lower price. The Fire TV Stick 4K is currently on sale for $29.99. This marks a 40% discount from its list price of $49.99, allowing you to save $20. It's listed as a limited-time deal right now, so you'll want to act fast to score it at this low price.

With the 4K Fire TV Stick, you'll be able to enjoy all of your favorite shows and films with support for 4K Ultra HD resolution. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio so you can feel fully immersed with excellent picture and sound. On top of that, it also has WiFi 6 support so your streaming quality will come across smooth and clear.

This deal may not last for long, so act fast to get the 4K Fire TV Stick for just $29.99. And if you're looking for a new TV to watch everything on, why not check out this deal on the 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV at Amazon as well?

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 20, 2025

Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the puzzle.

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

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

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

What is Connections Sports Edition?

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

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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.

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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.

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: Related to teams

• Green: Found in same geographic area.

• Blue: Legends

• Purple: Components of a team symbol

Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Ivy League team nicknames

• Green: Places at a golf course

• Blue: 49ers Hall of Famers

• Purple: Things in Mariners logos

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 #331 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Ivy League team nicknames - BIG GREEN, BIG RED, CRIMSON, LIONS

• Places at a golf course - CART PATH, CLUBHOUSE, PRO SHOP, RANGE

• 49ers Hall of Famers - LOTT, MONTANA, RICE, YOUNG

• Things in Mariners logos - BASEBALL, COMPASS ROSE, S, TRIDENT

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

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

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.

On Pixels big day, Samsung is offering $300 off the Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldable phone

Best smartphone deal on Samsung. Save 15% on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Amazon.

SAVE $300: As of Aug. 20, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is on sale for $1,699.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% saving on the list price

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Google’s Pixel 10 is taking the spotlight on Aug. 20, with an expected launch at the Made By Google 2025 event. But it’s not the only new phone making moves. Samsung has lined up a hefty $300 discount on its brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 7, giving anyone tempted by the foldable trend another reason to look around before committing.

As of Aug. 20, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, usually priced at $1,999.99 at Amazon, is now $1,699.99. This deal is for the 256GB option, and it's available in three colors: blue shadow, jet black, and silver shadow, all at the same low price.

This is a fantastic phone, even without the fancy folding feature. It features a 200MP main camera powered by Samsung’s Pro-Visual Engine and an 8-inch internal screen that supports up to three windows at once — perfect for multitasking. The battery life is great, too, designed to last all day. This remains the same even with heavy usage like running multiple apps, streaming video, or gaming.

And it uses a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, designed specifically for Galaxy devices, to handle demanding tasks like streaming, editing, and multitasking smoothly. So, even if you're on it all day using multiple apps at once, it will still run fast with no lag. On the outside, it's built strong, made with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 for added durability. So if you drop your phone a lot, you'll have extra floor protection with this smartphone.

Read to jump on the folding phone trend? Get this deal at Amazon.

Samsung is giving away a free 65-inch TV right now — heres how to get yours

Until Sept. 7, Samsung is offering a "buy one, get one free" TV deal. When you buy a Super Big Samsung TV, you’ll get a 65-inch Class UHD TV for free.

BOGO SAMSUNG TVS: Until Sept. 7, Samsung is offering a "buy one, get one free" TV deal. When you buy a Super Big Samsung TV, you’ll get a 65-inch Class UHD TV for free.

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There aren't many deals that get the people going like a "buy one, get one free" promotion. And then when that deal includes Samsung TVs, it's time to shut up shop for the day. We haven't seen something this huge before (literally), so you just know that shoppers are at least going to take a look. If not just to dream.

Until Sept. 7, Samsung is offering a "buy one, get one free" deal on some absolutely massive TVs. When you buy a Super Big Samsung TV, you’ll get a 65-inch Crystal UHD U8000F for free. What's a Super Big Samsung TV? We're talking about TVs of 98 inches or more.

To qualify for this bonkers BOGO deal, you'll need to purchase one of the following models:

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 8K (QN990F)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN90F)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN90D)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 8K (QN990C)

• Samsung 100-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN80F)

To secure this deal, you'll need to add both the Crystal UHD U8000F and qualifying TV to your cart. Samsung will then automatically apply the discount at the checkout. Interested? You might need to act fast as stock already looks limited.

We totally get that this deal won't appeal to everyone. The qualifying TVs are not exactly cheap, but if you're already in the market for something massive, you might as well double up for no extra expense.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 20, 2025

Answers to each clue for the August 20, 2025 edition of NYT's The Mini crossword puzzle.

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, August 20, 2025:

Across

Something worn by an infant or marathon runner

• The answer is Bib.

Diversion on a long flight

• The answer is Movie.

Phobos and Deimos, for Mars

• The answer is Moons.

Join highway traffic

• The answer is Merge.

Coloring for a camp shirt

• The answer is Dye.

Down

Loudly voiced one's disapproval

• The answer is Booed.

Material in walrus tusks

• The answer is Ivory.

"Delicious!"

• The answer is Mmm.

Opposite of WNW

• The answer is ESE.

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

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

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

Webb telescope just peeked at Uranus and got mooned, literally

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered an unknown moon orbiting Uranus. It may help create the planet's inner ring system.

The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted a previously unknown moon orbiting Uranus, the solar system's tilted seventh planet. 

This new space discovery brings the ice giant world's bevy of moons up to 29, a count that includes a yet-to-be-named moon discovered in 2023. 

The newest moon likely escaped detection before now because it is so small. These findings, led by Southwest Research Institute astrophysicist Maryame El Moutamid, have not yet gone through the rigorous peer-review process for publication in a scientific journal. But NASA was apparently too excited to wait.

"We're not sitting on this one," the space agency said in a Tuesday post on X, "Uranus has another Moon!" 

The moon, tentatively designated S/2025 U1, is estimated to be only six miles wide. That might explain how Voyager 2, which flew by Uranus in 1986 during its extended mission, didn't notice it. 

The new moon is the 14th tiny moon known to swarm closer to the planet than the larger ones: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. Recent studies have proposed that the latter four of those bigger moons could have briny underground oceans, dozens of miles deep. 

This little moon is about 35,000 miles from Uranus' center, orbiting between Ophelia and Bianca. Its nearly circular orbit suggests it may have formed near its current location, El Moutamid said.

The team was investigating the Uranian rings when they made this discovery. 

"Many of their structures, especially the sharp edges of 10 rings, remain unexplained. These edges should naturally spread within a decade without some form of confinement," she told Mashable. "Past studies suggest unseen moons between four and 14 kilometers in size could be responsible. We were searching for these potential shepherding moons."

In 2023, Webb turned its attention to Uranus, capturing an astonishing image of 11 vertical rings around the planet. Prior to that snapshot, most people's concept of Uranus was that it was simply a bright, blue ball. Uranus, nearly 2 billion miles from Earth, is made from icy materials, such as water, methane, and ammonia, wrapped around a small rocky core. 

The planet spins on its side, which gives it the most extreme seasons in the solar system. For nearly a quarter of each Uranian year, the sun shines on one pole, thrusting the other half of the planet into a dark winter lasting more than two decades.

Though the new moon is tiny, that's part of what makes it an astronomical achievement, said Scott Sheppard, the Carnegie Science astronomer who discovered a Uranian moon using a ground-based telescope in 2023. Such observations near the planet are difficult because their light is usually obscured by the planet's own glare. 

That probably means even more hidden moons exist, he told Mashable, but seeing such faint objects would require extremely long-exposure Webb images or a future spacecraft mission.

One exciting aspect of the new lunar discovery is that it's likely associated with Uranus' inner ring system, said Sheppard, who wasn't involved in these Webb observations. 

"This new moon likely helps create the rings we see around Uranus, from possibly losing small dust grains off its surface from its very low gravity," he said, "and also gravitationally shepherding the dust in the observed rings into the well-defined concentric ring circles we see today."

Neither S/2025 U1 nor the moon Sheppard discovered two years prior, S/2023 U1, have official names yet. Those must be approved by the International Astronomical Union. Sheppard's moon will require one more observation to further refine its calculated orbit, but that should happen in the next few months, he said. All of Uranus' moons are named after William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope characters, and the newly discovered moons will follow suit. 

The team is hoping the organization will approve the name Violenta for the 2023 moon, Sheppard said, after a character in "All's Well that Ends Well."

"Unofficially, this name was chosen for my newly born daughter, who is named Violet," he said. 

This AI image generator changes the game — get lifetime access to Imagiyo for under $50

Unlock a world of creativity with a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator (Standard Plan), on sale for $49 (reg. $495).

TL;DR: For $49, you can create 500 images per month with lifetime access to Imagiyo’s AI Image Generator (Standard Plan).

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Are you tired of wasting hours upon hours on sketches that just don’t compare to what you can see perfectly in your head? Don’t worry. We’ve all been there. As much as you may want to dedicate yourself to the craft, deadlines don’t always account for reality. So, where can you turn to? Fortunately, we have a solution for you. Imagiyo is a powerful image generator that turns words into stunning visuals. 

For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to Imagiyo’s AI image generator for a one-time payment of $49. 

Whether you’re an artist, mathematician, or psychologist, Imagiyo is a platform built to help individuals of all skill levels explore the world of digital creativity with confidence. Using advanced AI models like StableDiffusion and FLUX, produce 500 high-quality images every month, two at a time, in multiple sizes. Simply plug in a text-based prompt to generate stunning visuals in any style.

Use generated images commercially, meaning if you have a business you’re whipping up graphics for, Imagiyo can help you nail your brand visuals — so long as your content doesn’t violate copyright laws. You can even experiment with sensitive or NSFW content, too, just keep your settings on “private” mode. 

Unlike “free” AI tools out there, you can enjoy a lifetime’s worth of ad-free and watermark-free designing. With Imagiyo’s Standard Plan, you get free updates, unlimited downloads, additional tools like PromptHero for prompt inspiration, and access to multiple generation engines. 

This deal is for new users only. Once you purchase, you have 30 days to redeem your code to access Imagiyo on mobile or web. No download necessary.

This lifetime license to Imagiyo is selling fast, and right now, you can get it for $49 for life.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Save over $100 on a lifetime subscription to AI-powered piano lessons

Learn piano from home with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, now just $109.97 (reg. $299.99) for life.

TL;DR: Learn piano from home with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, now just $109.97 (reg. $299.99) for life.

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Have you always wanted to learn to play the piano, but just never found the time for traditional lessons? Skoove Premium Piano Lessons solves that, offering interactive, AI-powered lessons you can do at your own pace. And right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to this handy service for just $109.97 (reg. $299.99).

Join over one million people learning piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons can have you playing an Adele tune or a Beatles ballad on the piano in no time, and entirely at your own pace. There are no boring classes to take and no awkward interactions with a piano teacher — just grab your keyboard, a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and start playing.

Whether you’re a total beginner at the piano or you have some lessons under your belt, Skoove lets you hop in at your current level and start improving. The app is packed with over 400 interactive lessons and thousands of instructional videos, and unlike your average lesson, you get to learn with songs you actually like, from radio hits to classical tunes.

The AI-powered features of Skoove allow it to listen to your playing, recognize your notes, and give you real-time feedback so you can continuously improve. Need help from a real person? Skoove also offers one-on-one support from music instructors to assist your learning experience.

Pick up a new hobby with this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, on sale now for $109.97 (reg. $299.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Save over $2,000 on a MacBook Pro before stock drops

Bring home an Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch for just $579.99 (reg. $2,799). Get it in time for back-to-school season.

TL;DR: Bring home an Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch for just $579.99 (reg. $2,799). Get it in time for back-to-school season.

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Whether you’re heading back to school or you’re in desperate need of a productivity boost at work, a MacBook Pro can help you with whatever comes your way this fall and beyond. Right now, you can score a 16-inch model packed with power for a fraction of the usual sky-high price tag — just $579.99 (reg. $2,799).

Enjoy pro-level performance for under $600

If you’ve always wanted a MacBook Pro, but it hasn’t fit into your budget, you may want to take a look at this feature-packed model. From an ample 16-inch Retina display that provides a totally immersive viewing experience to a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM that can tackle all of your multitasking, this computer is ready to tag along to the classroom or the office.

This model comes equipped with a Magic Keyboard, so you can type comfortably as long as you need. There’s also a Touch Bar and Touch ID that help streamline your workflow. A 512GB SSD ensures you have plenty of speedy storage, allowing you to ditch those clunky hard drives.

Want to relax and listen to some music? This particular MacBook Pro has a six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers so you can enjoy your playlists with studio-quality audio.

You won’t be hunting for a charger mid-day thanks to this model’s 11-hour battery life. It’s also been made with an aluminum chassis, so you can rest easy knowing this laptop is durable.

If you’re curious why you’re saving $2,220, it’s thanks to this MacBook Pro’s refurbished status. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with minimal to no scuffing.

Act fast to get an Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch for just $579.99 (reg. $2,799) while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Make outstanding coffee at home with the Nespresso Vertuo Plus — and save almost $60 right now

Find the best coffee machine deal. Save 35% on the Nespresso Vertuo Plus at Amazon.

SAVE $59.95: As of Aug. 20, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus coffee machine is on sale for $133.90 at Amazon. That's a saving of 35% on list price.

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Great coffee at home isn't just a myth, especially when there are deals like this on the Nespresso Vertuo Plus kicking about. As of Aug. 20, this stellar coffee machine is down to $110 at Amazon — a saving of nearly $60 on list price.

This offer is for the coffee machine only. For the Aerocinno to be included, you'll need to pay a little more. But what's an Aerocinno between friends?

If you love good coffee but don't want an overly complicated process, this is definitely the machine for you. The coffee comes from high-quality pods to make anything from Americanos to rich espressos at the push of a button. The machine heats up in just 25 seconds, ideal for when you're rushing out the door in the morning. And the 40-oz water tank means you won't have to fill it up with every use.

Alongside your machine, you'll get a complimentary set of Nespresso pods to get you going. It's a great way to do a taste test before putting in a full order.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so get it now before it runs out.

Apple AirPods Max have dropped in price at Amazon — save $70 for a limited time

Get the best AirPods deal at Amazon. Save 13% on the Apple AirPods Max at Amazon.

SAVE $70: As of Aug. 20, Apple AirPods Max are on sale for $479.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

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Apple's AirPods Max are on sale at Amazon, and you can save up to $70 on specific colors. They're some of the most popular over-ear headphones on the market, and for good reason.

They're designed with Apple-specific drivers and powered by the all-encompassing H1 chip, so you can expect a completely unmatched listening experience. Noise-blocking technologies help you to choose your level of immersion. Active Noise Cancellation mode blocks outside noise so you can focus on your music, and Transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings, keeping you safe and alert while out and about.

They also have a Personalized Spatial Audio function that adapts to your ear shape to help give you a much more immersive and personalized sound. It also includes dynamic head tracking, which uses a built-in sensor to adjust audio based on your head movements, creating a 3D sound experience.

Comfort-wise, these are a top choice. Visually, they look like a hug for your ears, and that's how they're designed. The knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions provide a snug fit that seals in sound and keeps your ears happy for hours of wearing. The AirPods Max also boast up to 20 hours of battery life and come with a slim Smart Case for storage.

Sound good to you? As of Aug. 20, you can find the orange colored pair reduced to just $479.99. If that's not your vibe, you can pick up the midnight or purple colored pair for $519, a $30 discount on the list price. Find these deals at Amazon before they run out.

The White House has an official TikTok, and its already getting dragged

The White House has opened an official TikTok account to promote President Donald Trump. Users have given it a frosty reception.

The White House has opened an official TikTok account, apparently with the intention of promoting President Donald Trump to the public. Unfortunately for the Trump administration, most TikTok users don't seem happy to have it around.

Launched on Tuesday, the @whitehouse TikTok account currently has Trump's tagline, "Welcome to the Golden Age of America," on its profile, and has posted three videos at time of publishing.

The White House's debut TikTok features a montage of Trump attending rallies and making public appearances, while his voiceover declares himself the "voice" of the American people. "America we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?" reads the first video's description. The second video is a montage of shots of the White House itself.

Finally, the third video features clips of Trump which appear to highlight his more mocked or criticised behaviour. These include press conference incidents of intimidation toward Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, and Maine governor Janet Mills, comments about Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, as well as his comment that "everything's computer" in a Tesla Model S Plaid during Elon Musk's Tesla promotion on the White House lawn. The video description quotes one clip of Trump, telling reporters in June 2025, "I was the hunted, and now I'm the hunter."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the legitimacy of its TikTok account, stating that it will be used to inform people of the ostensibly "historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people."

"President Trump's message dominated TikTok during his presidential campaign, and we're excited to build upon those successes and communicate in a way no other administration has before," Leavitt told Reuters.

TikTok users give official White House account frosty reception

Unfortunately for the White House, its effort to connect with TikTok's 170 million U.S. users hasn't been well received thus far. As of writing, the majority of comments under the White House's TikTok videos have given it a decidedly frosty reception, criticising and mocking Trump and his administration.

"I thought TikTok was a national security threat? At least thats what Trump said in [his] August 6, 2020 executive order to ban it," wrote @jjackson5150 in one of the first video's most liked comments. "Now they have a official White House account. This just proves it was never about security. They just want to control it."

"[California's Democratic governor and outspoken Trump critic] GAVIN NEWSOM IS THE STRONGEST GOVERNOR IN AMERICA," wrote @amanda.c.e in another highly liked comment. "HES THE GREATEST. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN HIM."

"trump is about to learn very quickly that tiktok hates him," commented @yeah.by.usher on the third video.

Though Trump did attempt to ban TikTok in the U.S. during his first term as president in 2020, it was former President Joe Biden that ultimately signed the current U.S. TikTok ban into law. However, it seems Trump's views on TikTok have significantly shifted since 2020. The president has issued several delays on the TikTok ban's enforcement since taking office for a second time, enabling the popular video sharing app to continue operating in the U.S. without facing penalties.

The Biden administration also specifically banned TikTok from federal U.S. government devices in 2022, a restriction that is still in place. Even so, some government officials continue to operate TikTok accounts, presumably circumventing the ban by using personal devices. Trump's TikTok account currently has 15.1 million followers, while Vice President J.D. Vance has 2.5 million.

Aside from noting the TikTok ban and posting political memes, many of the comments on the White House's videos call for the Trump administration to release information on convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"where is the epstien files? release the files," @lexguy8596 wrote in one of the most liked comments under the first TikTok. "and why is the white house posting on a banned app?"

Trump received significant criticism from his supporters last month after repeatedly urging them to move on from Epstein and stop asking for his client list. The president had initially promised to release information on Epstein's associates during his second presidential campaign, while his Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in February his client list was "sitting on [her] desk." However, the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI stated in July that no such list exists — a claim many Trump supporters find difficult to believe.

Social media users have continued to call for Trump to release the "Epstein files" since, expressing disappointment and disillusionment with the U.S. president. Trump was even ratioed by users on his own social media platform Truth Social, with thousands of people launching a deluge of criticism at him. Considering that Truth Social's user base is overwhelmingly dominated by Trump's supporters, it's no surprise that the White House's reception on TikTok has been even less friendly.

NYT Strands hints, answers for August 20, 2025

The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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 preferrined pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Mint condition

The words are money-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of money.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Global Currency.

NYT Strands word list for August 20

• Rupee

• Pound

• Kwanza

• Dollar

• Euro

• Peso

• Global Currency

• Rand

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.

Soundcores sleep earbuds with active noise cancellation are finally available to purchase

The Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are available at Soundcore and Amazon for $229.99 as of Aug. 18.

SHOP NOW: As of Aug. 18, the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are officially available to the general public. You can pick the noise-cancelling sleep earbuds for $229.99 at Amazon or Soundcore's website.

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After a summer-long Kickstarter campaign, launch day has finally arrived for the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 as of Aug. 18. The sleep earbuds distinguish themselves as one of the only options for sleep-specific earbuds with active noise cancellation (more on that below), all for the price of $229.99.

It's an investment — but it's also a good deal cheaper than the $349 Ozlo Sleepbuds (that have no ANC). Relatively speaking, the price point falls in line with Soundcore's generally budget-friendly ethos.

So how do they perform? I've spent time using them over the past two months, and for their performance and price range, they're the new standard for premium sleep earbuds. For more, you can read my full review, or check out the overview below on the Sleep A30's upgrades, how they're similar to the Sleep A20 earbuds, and where you can purchase both.

What's new with the Soundcore Sleep A30

The headline news here is the active noise cancellation, but Soundcore provided overall quality of life upgrades that boost the performance of these earbuds over the Sleep A20 (and other sleep earbuds on the market), including:

• Active noise cancellation

• Slimmer profile earbuds over the Sleep A20

• Microphones in case to monitor snoring for real-time adaptive snore masking

• Memory-foam ear tips, in addition to silicone ear tips

• New sleep, meditation, and focus audio within the app

• More detailed sleep tracking

• Built-in light in case for easy visualizing in the dark

• No-slip silicone bottom on charging case

• New mint colorway

Admittedly, I don't have to deal with too much noise at night — the biggest culprits are the AC unit and the occasional car at night — but even I noticed the difference with the ANC. The hum of the AC nearly all but disappeared (and I learned I much prefer it that way!), and I was never woken up by the sound of a car. My partner and I are both somewhat restless sleepers, and it could just be chance, but I did notice that the nights I wore the earbuds, I was much less likely to wake up due to rustling next to me.

As for the wear and app experience, both were noticeably improved over the A20. I primarily sleep on my slide, so the lower profile was much appreciated. I liked having the choice between the silicone and memory foam ear tips, and though I stuck to the silicone, I found it to be more comfortable (and slightly less tacky) than the A20 silicone tips. The app also felt more streamlined, looking much more reminiscent of the Ozlo Sleepbud app (which I loved).

My biggest gripe with these earbuds (and an unfortunate difference between them and the Sleep A20) is that when streaming Bluetooth audio, there was no option to toggle the sleep detection mode off. That means if you're listening to a podcast or video, and the earbuds decide you're asleep, it'll automatically cut your audio or switch to the local snore-masking audio. Most times, the audio cut off before I was actually asleep, and the only fix I could find to restart my audio was by completely reconnecting the earbuds by placing them back in the case, then back in my ears. However, the Soundcore app did flash an update that the option to toggle off sleep mode would be coming on Aug. 20.

What stayed the same with the Sleep A30

Soundcore's Sleep A30 definitely feel like an upgrade over the A20, but didn't completely reinvent the wheel. At the end of the day, both earbuds are low-profile, comfortable-to-wear earbuds that stayed in my ears all night while dampening some degree of noise from my surroundings.

Both are far better suited to sleep than standard earbuds. They have companion apps with noise-blocking soundscapes and excellent battery life (the Sleep A20s get 14 hours per charge, to the Sleep A30s' nine hours with ANC and 6.5 hours with Bluetooth streaming), and both offer sleep data.

Considering they start at $179.99 (and can often be found on sale for cheaper), the Soundcore Sleep A20 still offer plenty of the same features, and might be more appealing if you're on a budget.

Where to buy the Soundcore Sleep A30

Overall, if you already own the Sleep A20, I wouldn't necessarily say these are a must-upgrade, but if you are looking for even better noise-blocking, they're at least worth considering. If you've never owned sleep earbuds and want ANC, these are an excellent pair, and essentially your only option. (Though these are Soundcore's first ANC sleep earbuds, the brand QuietOn also used to offer some, but it appears as though they are not selling them anymore.)

At the time of writing, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are available to purchase at Amazon and Soundcore's website.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 20, 2025

Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1523 on August 20 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.

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

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

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:

A wooled South American animal.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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...

LLAMA.

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.

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

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 20, 2025

Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.

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.

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.

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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.

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: Dual-colored

• Green: Two sticks

• Blue: Things that spin

• Purple: Rounded things

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Black-and-white things

• Green: Pairs of rods

• Blue: Things that rotate about a vertical axis

• Purple: Rods that curve at one end

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 #802 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Black-and-white things: DOMINO, PIANO KEYS, YIN-YANG SYMBOL, ZEBRA

• Pairs of rods: CHOPSTICKS, CLAVES, KNITTING NEEDLES, SKI POLES

• Things that rotate about a vertical axis: BARBER POLE, CAROUSEL, CEILING FAN, LAZY SUSAN

• Rods that curve at one end: CANDY CANE, CROCHET HOOK, CROOK, CROWBAR

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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 Mill food recycling bin is the easiest indoor composter alternative, and my all-time favorite appliance

Tackle your kitchen's landfill footprint with the Mill food recycling bin, which offers a similar experience to composting at home in the form of reusing your food scraps as chicken food.

Finding out how to recycle any given item is a shifty inquiry that even Google's AI Overview has trouble pinning down. And then, half the time, we're questioning where the stuff we toss in the recycling bin actually goes. (To a legitimate recycling plant? To the ocean? Hell?) Food waste has a much clearer — and much more dire — fate. We know for sure that's going to the landfill.

To be fair, there aren't a ton of feasible ways to "recycle" food. Composting is an option, of course, but true outdoor composting takes months, requires yard space, and involves worms. Over the past few years, composting has made a pretty revolutionary move indoors. Electric countertop composters like the Vitamix FoodCycler and Lomi consolidated the composting process to an appliance that doesn't hog much more counter space than a toaster oven.

Despite these advances in convenience and simplicity — two major factors necessary to make the average person consider taking the time to separating food scraps in their kitchen — this approach to countertop composting poses a recurring pickle: what to do with that material once it's made. Mill fills the gap.

After two years with a Mill kitchen bin and many boxes of food grounds sent back, I was recently alerted about a big Mill milestone: I've officially diverted 500 pounds of food from landfills. Those tangible updates about the impact I'm making are such a big part of why Mill is easily my favorite appliance that I've tested for Mashable — and I've tested the Ninja Slushi, so that's saying something. I gush about Mill to people in my real life, and I'm about to put it all in writing here.

How does Mill work?

Mill is a large electric indoor food recycling bin that sits on the floor like a trash can instead of on the counter. Like an in-home composter, it's a less-smelly place than the trash to throw plate scrapings, forgotten fridge leftovers, old pet food, and the butt of the bread that everyone keeps bypassing. Unlike composting, Mill technically isn't conducting decomposition or creating a nutrient-rich substance that can be added to soil. Rather, Mill dries your scraps into dehydrated grounds that look and feel similar to dirt — literally your food without the moisture content — in just a few hours.

But with those basics covered, Mill really starts to pull away from the competition. The most obvious physical difference is that Mill sits on the floor rather than the countertop and is basically like having another full-sized trash can that makes compost in your kitchen. I love that opening the lid just involves a presser foot and doesn't require a free hand.

Instead of waiting on you to press a button when the bucket is full like its countertop competitors, Mill automatically starts dehydrating and churning at the same time every day. I chose 10 p.m. to try to ensure that everyone in my household was done eating and snacking for the night. A light on the lid appears when Mill is running.

I actually don't know exactly how long Mill runs overnight, but it's always done by the time I'm up for work the next morning. It's also so much quieter than I expected (given the Lomi's haunted house-esque creaking), producing a low whir that you can barely hear even when standing right beside it.

Since writing my original review in 2023, I've received the latest generation of the Mill bin. The new version remedies every minuscule note I had about the first one, and other customers apparently had the same thoughts. It's even quieter than before, and if you need to put something in after the bin is locked, you don't have to press and hold a button anymore — you can literally just use the presser foot as you normally would. The exterior design and stirring paddles inside the bucket are also slightly different.

Mill takes almost any food scrap, including meat and dairy

Mill is super versatile in the variety of food you can put in it — it's not nearly as limited as a traditional compost pile. Almost any food product can be thrown into Mill, excluding common-sense stuff like large animal bones or excessive liquids. It's actually super easy to remember, but you can get a quick refresher by glancing at the magnet that Mill sends with your bin. Being forced to glance at the magnet every time we open the fridge really helps to normalize separating food scraps in my apartment's kitchen routine. Scraping our plates into Mill is a reflex, just like the automatic reflex to throw a metal can into the recycling bin instead of the trash.

Mill has also made keeping the kitchen smelling fresh so much easier. We don't have a garbage disposal in the sink, so all of our soggy food remnants collect in a sink catcher, which I always dump directly into Mill instead of the trash. There, it doesn't start to stink. Same goes with cleaning out the fridge — any time I uncover old pizza or an old takeout box that's been pushed to the back, I can just toss it in Mill. To my surprise, pet food also gets the green light in Mill. My cats randomly turn their nose up at certain flavors and leave food in their bowls constantly, and I really needed an alternative to trashing it. Because if you think wet cat food reeks right out of the can, imagine how it smells after chilling in a trash can for two days.

I remember my days of saving food scraps in a bag in my freezer to drop off at my local food scrap collection location in Brooklyn. Having to follow so many rules was a pain in the ass. "No meat, no dairy or cheese, no fats or oils, no cooked foods." OK, so do you have to completely trash a salad if it has a few drops of dressing on it? Are roasted vegetables fine or not? Are you not even going to mention grains? Also, nobody knows what the hell carbon-rich or nitrogen-rich materials are. Explain it to me like I'm 5.

Mill's limitations are nothing like that. Most of the "no" section is composed of non-food items that seem like common sense. Some items are only OK on a case-by-case basis. If there's confusion about whether something specific can or can't go in, it's almost guaranteed to be listed in the Mill app, where you can type in just about anything and get a solid yes or no answer.

The two most surprising things that can't go in Mill are compostable plastics and plant clippings, such as fallen houseplant leaves and yard scraps.

At the end of the day, the fact that Mill's list of accepted food items is much heavier on the "yes" side than the "no" side makes it much easier to remember to use it over the trash can in the first place, especially for the people in the household who aren't the hardcore eco-friendly ones.

Shipping food grounds back is truly painless

Mill proves how much it really is consolidating your footprint by how infrequently you need to deal with the bin — it takes about a month to fill completely. Once the grounds weigh nine pounds and hit the green line inside, the app gives a heads up that it's time to empty.

From there, your only job is to pack your milled results into one of the pre-labeled packages that should have arrived in a separate delivery. You'll also receive plant-based box liners that look like giant Ziploc bags to stick in the box, which you'll want to open as wide as possible. Then, just use the handle to lift the metal bin out of the Mill and dump it into the liner. It is a little heavy sometimes, but it only takes a few seconds. I use a butter knife to scrape off any crusty stuff.

The shipping box can technically hold a few full batches, and Mill encourages you not to send incomplete boxes back. I literally just keep half-full boxes in a closet until the next batch is ready — the grounds don't smell bad at all and are zipped safely inside the liner.

You can then drop your package off at the post office or schedule a USPS pickup — it's just as easy as mailing back a return or shipping a Depop package. After that, your scraps are Mill's problem, and you're free to start filling the bin all over again. You'll get an email when Mill receives your shipment, as well as some numbers calculating the environmental impacts of that singular pickup. It's always cool to get tangible intel about my Mill shipments after I ship them.

Traditional compost feeds soil. Mill Food Grounds feed chickens.

The way that Mill processes your scraps on demand is so cool and so much more convenient than any other at-home composting solution. But that's hardly Mill's sole unprecedented flex: If you do choose to go the Mill pickup route with your food grounds, Mill is so dedicated to recycling food that it puts your food waste directly back into the life cycle — into the belly of a chicken, actually.

The beef that any average Earth enjoyer has with the beef industry is spotlighted by countless documentaries and Impossible Whopper commercials. While cow farming is by far the biggest agricultural hazard for the climate, it's not the only livestock practice with a hefty carbon footprint. A study about chicken and salmon farming published by Current Biology in February 2023 asserts that much of the emission — as much as 55 percent — associated with poultry farming comes from feeding them.

Factory-farmed chicken feed largely comes from grain and soya. Growing either requires mass amounts of land (often gained through deforestation) and water. The boom of demand for soybean products (ironically, the main base ingredient in a lot of plant-based meat) from humans and now chickens, apparently, is an increasing area of concern on top of the demand for the meat itself.

The dried food dirt that Mill creates actually retains most of its nutritional value, and Mill founders realized that the milled results would actually work great as a base ingredient for chicken feed. As of February 2024, Mill even has a commercial feed license in Washington, where it can now distribute its upcycled chicken food to residents of the state.

So, by rerouting your Mill grounds into the hands of small farmers as an ingredient for their chicken feed, Mill's closed-loop service can be thought of as an added measure of sustainability on top of the food scraps it diverts from landfills.

How much does Mill cost?

There are two separate payment options for bringing Mill home: Buy it for a flat fee of $999.99 or try it temporarily first by renting it for $35 per month. If you'd like to send your finished food grounds back to Mill, the Mill pickup plan is an extra charge of $16 per month (or $192 billed annually plus tax, on top of your buying or renting charge). There's a buyout program if you do end up wanting to keep Mill.

A 12-month commitment is required with the rental plan. That comes with some perks, like an ongoing warranty and charcoal filter replacements throughout the year. I actually did have to replace my bin about a year ago, and it was a super seamless process. My original bin's scale sensor broke after (I think) I slammed the bucket back into the bin too hard. I just emailed customer service, got to talk to a real person (not a clanker), and we arranged for the latest generation of the Mill bin to be shipped to me while I ship the old one back. The new one arrived within days, and the hardest part was literally just getting these 50-pound bins to and from the lobby of my building.

Here's how the costs shake out: Renting Mill for $35 per month ends up costing $420 for a year, so paying the flat $999.99 to own your Mill is more cost-efficient after a little over two years. If you need Mill to deal with your food grounds for you (like I do), factoring in a Mill pickup subscription adds nearly $200 to your annual bill. Renting Mill for a year costs just over a dollar a day, while straight-up buying Mill costs almost $3 per day for the first year — that obviously tapers off eventually since it's not a recurring cost.

No, the loophole you're thinking of won't work, either. You can't simply stop paying for the service while keeping the bin for free. Rental cancellation is only effective once Mill has received your returned bin, which you'll have 30 days to send back after requesting to cancel.

Mill vs. Lomi and Reencle: Cost is the main disadvantage

Having Mill in my kitchen has been such a positive, hands-off experience that it hasn't really sparked any noteworthy complaints. But it's still the most expensive at-home food recycling machine and/or composter. The whole "dollar a day thing" adds up quickly, especially when you consider that a single year of using Mill is more expensive than the full one-time purchase of an indoor countertop composter.

So if you're interested in composting inside your home but aren't yet set on the specific machine, your main options aside from Mill are countertop composters like the Lomi, Reencle, or Vitamix FoodCycler. They operate similarly in that they still do the composting inside your home within a matter of hours — they just hold a much smaller capacity and take up counter space instead of floor space. These three go for around $400 to $600 at full price, maybe dropping by $100 or so when on sale. Most home composters do require the purchase of filter and pod replacements every few months.

This isn't to say that I don't understand why Mill costs a bit more. It's a much more elevated service than what competitors can provide, and you're paying for the experts to deal with your finished grounds rather than having to figure out what to do with it. But I'd be remiss not to put it into perspective, especially with steady inflation making us more closely consider what's a necessity and what's not.

Countertop composters are also kind of a miss if you don't have a garden. They otherwise suggest putting that finished compost in the green bin. You mean, the green bin and curbside composting system that a ton of towns don't have? Suggesting taking them to a local compost drop-off location kind of defeats the purpose of having a machine to do the composting at home.

Putting a number on Mill's environmental benefits

In a perfect world, a sleek, advanced system like Mill would be as standard in a home as curbside garbage collection is. Some places in the U.S. are kind of making strides: States like California and Vermont do have statewide mandatory compost laws in place. Cities like San Francisco, Portland, and New York City have similarly made composting mandatory for residents. But until composting is genuinely accessible to everyone, recycling food at home with something like Mill is still so impactful — even if you're the only person you know who has one.

In case you're blissfully unaware of just how detrimental our food waste habit really is, let's get into it quickly. It's estimated that the average American household wastes almost a third of the food it acquires each year, and that's obviously not counting the contributions of food waste from businesses like restaurants.

When food rots, it produces methane: a gas that’s 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period after reaching the atmosphere. The combination of households, restaurants, and more creates 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions — equivalent to the exhaust 37 million cars would create.

This is a statistic that Mill is aiming to shrink. According to my app, it's estimated that the Mill community has collectively diverted 11 million pounds of food waste from landfills to date. (That's about a half-ton of greenhouse gas emissions at the single household level per year, on average.) Mill tells me that, over the past two-ish years, I've personally fed 64 chickens and kept over 425 kg of CO2e from being emitted into the atmosphere. Just think of the impact that could be had if Mill achieves its ultimate goal of expanding to the business level.

Is the Mill bin worth it?

Yes, Mill is absolutely worth it — considering I quite literally spent my own money to purchase the free test unit I was sent to keep using Mill after I was done testing it. It's truly in a league of its own in the way that it's currently the only at-home option on the market that offers to repurpose your food scraps for you, and is the only at-home food recycling option with a "no garden, no problem" solution.

Having Mill in my kitchen has made cleaning out my fridge so much less of a daunting task, though I'm not having to get rid of old food as often as I once was — because Mill just has an inherent way of making me more mindful about how I go through food in general. (A recent survey of other Mill users found that other people have had the same brain blast.)

And though the idea of it may sound like a big to-do, Mill is ridiculously straightforward and easy to use. It's like an extra 13-gallon trash can in your kitchen that takes itself out. As a dedicated compost girlie over the past five years, I've done my time with the humble stainless steel countertop food scrap bin. I was in the trenches with those stenches for way too long. You can imagine how thankful I am that Mill is the way I get to do this now.

Mill simultaneously stirs hope and frustration because it shows just how easy it could and should be to not send every unwanted crumb from your kitchen to the landfill. Seriously, imagine if having a sustainable waste system like this at home was as normalized and accessible as trashing everything is. To me, it posed the daydream situation of how quickly America could turn its food waste shit show around if composting (or a composting-adjacent approach, like Mill's) was funded on the micro level, rather than shifting the responsibility to the average person and whether or not they can figure out a convenient composting solution on their own dime.

Kirby Air Riders is a Super Smash-style racer that triggers all the good brain chemicals

One of Nintendo's most surprising early Switch 2 exclusives promises incredibly hectic multiplayer mayhem.

When the Nintendo Switch 2 launched, I thought for sure that Mario Kart World would be console's racing game of choice for the foreseeable future. However, one of God's most perfect creatures might have something to say about that.

I'm talking about Kirby, of course. Perhaps the single most lovable little dude in video game history (he's flawless and I won't hear otherwise) is speeding onto Switch 2 in November with Kirby Air Riders, a surprising follow-up to a cult classic Nintendo GameCube game from 20 years ago. Yesterday, I had the chance to get some hands-on time with the wacky vehicular nonsense dispenser that is Air Riders. Nintendo also showed off the game during a 45-minute livestream, and after this brief preview, I came away impressed and very hungry for more.

To put it succinctly, this is a video game for people who like it when brightly colored BS is happening all over the screen at all times. I am one of those people.

Kirby Air Riders is deceptively simple

As I mentioned already, Air Riders is a sequel to 2003's Kirby Air Ride. Rather excitingly, it's directed by Masahiro Sakurai, who you may know as the dude behind Super Smash Bros. He actually created Kirby way back in the day, and Air Riders is his first direct involvement in a Kirby game in two decades. (If those details are bringing out your inner Nintendo nerd, then you'll want to watch the Kirby Air Riders Direct livestream with Sakurai.)

As a sidenote, can you imagine being able to tell people you created Kirby? I'd never shut up about it.

Anyway, the Smash energy is off the charts in Air Riders. The menus look and feel almost identical to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and it has a potent pick-up-and-play quality that is evident from the first time you put your hands on the controller. Like the GameCube original, this is a racing game where your vehicle accelerates for you. No need to hold down a button or anything like that. You just focus on steering and attacking your rival racers, which is for the best because it only takes about 10 seconds in any given scenario for Air Riders to become a chaotic mess of candy-colored explosions occurring at very high speeds.

One other central mechanic taken from the 2003 game is a brake button that also acts as a boost. You can hold it down to build up a big burst of speed, but of course, doing that will slow you down for a second. It's useful for rounding corners, but not so much on a straightaway. When you're not drifting, you can pick up speed by attacking NPC enemies on each course or riding on a shiny line left behind by other racers that stays on the track for a few seconds.

Where Air Riders diverges from its original source material is that there are a bunch of other playable characters besides Kirby. Series favorites like King Dedede and Meta Knight are here, of course, and they're joined by various enemies and villains from other Kirby titles. Each character has their own stats and their own special move, which is activated by the press of a button at the player's discretion as long as their special meter is full. Specials can range from big screen-clearing attacks to gigantic speed boosts, so figuring out which one you like the most will be paramount to success.

I was honestly not a huge fan of the original Air Ride because it was mechanically thin, but adding a whole roster of racers with unique traits and special moves adds a couple of much-needed layers of complexity to races. It feels adequately divergent from Mario Kart World, which is vital since the two games are coming out so close to one another. I honestly think Air Riders might have a higher skill ceiling and a little more going on overall than Mario Kart, which is cool.

As one would expect from a game starring Kirby, the music I heard in the demo was also fantastically catchy, and the visuals are gorgeous all around. It's a very, very fun game to look at and listen to as well as play.

City Trial is a contender for best multiplayer mode of the year

Another way Air Riders takes after its predecessor is that the actual races aren't really what you're there for. I did have fun in the two short races I got to play, but City Trial is where the real action is.

For the unfamiliar, City Trial is a returning mode from Air Ride that's like a mix between a racing game and a battle royale, to use the parlance of our times. Up to 16 players can roam freely around a big sandbox level with a bunch of different areas to explore for exactly five minutes. During those five minutes, it's up to you to find a machine you like (there are a bunch of different ones and they all feel very different from one another), ride around the map collecting power-ups that slowly build up different stats, and prepare your machine for the endgame.

Said endgame involves Stadiums, which are basically little multiplayer minigames that use every part of the Air Riders mechanical formula. One of them is just a drag race that favors machines with high top speed, while another challenges players to fly as far as they can off of a big ramp, and that naturally caters to machines with a high flying stat. The strategy, then, is to collect specific types of stat boosts during the sandbox portion so you can specialize in one thing, rather than blindly collecting as many as you can. One of the cooler ideas here is that power-ups can cancel each other out if they have opposite effects; you don't want to beef up both your flight and weight stats at the same time because they're antithetical to each other, for instance.

I got to play three matches of City Trial and had a genuine blast the entire time. The five-minute duration is perfect, as it somehow flies by quickly while also delivering copious amounts of bedlam that make it feel longer than it is. Random events occur constantly in City Trial. Sometimes big boss monsters pop up that every player can work together to defeat for big rewards, while other times the opportunity to participate in a short race within the City Trial map will appear. I also encountered dangerous meteor showers and instances where every player became tiny for a while. It really keeps you on your toes, which I appreciate.

By the time the five minutes are up, you might have a machine that's so fast that you can barely control it, or so powerful that it's unstoppable in the more combat-focused Stadium minigames. No two City Trial games feel the same. It's a little magical.

I only got to play Air Riders for about an hour, but as you can probably tell, I'm very keen to play more of it. It makes Mario Kart World look sedate by comparison, which I didn't think was possible. Count me all the way in on this one.

Kirby Air Riders launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov. 20. You can pre-order the game now via Nintendo and Game Stop.

NYT Pips hints, answers for August 20

The New York Times' latest game, Pips, brings domino fun to your desktop. How to play Pips as well as hints in case you get stuck.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game 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 onto 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 for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles 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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 20

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

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 20

Equal (6): Every domino half in this space must contain 6 pips. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (2): The domino halves in this red space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this space must contain 3 pips. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 20

Number (6): The domino halves in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): The domino halves in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this space must equal 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): The domino halves in this space must equal 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): The domino halves in this space must equal 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, 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.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Alabama

How to unblock porn for free in Alabama. Unblock and watch Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Alabama with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

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The world of porn is in turmoil. Porn censorship has rocked the internet, and it doesn't look like the situation is changing anytime soon.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced restrictions for online adult content. After the introduction of these age verification laws, Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations. Now the same situation is taking place in France and the UK (although there's currently no ban in the UK).

Millions of potential users are now locked out of Pornhub. There are complicated reasons for the restriction, but the workaround is actually straightforward. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Alabama, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Alabama

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Alabama with ExpressVPN.

How to watch the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League online for free

How to watch Lausanne Diamond League for free. Live stream 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free from anywhere in the world.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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The World Athletics Championships are the pinnacle of the season for the biggest stars from the world of track and field. With only a few weeks left until that showpiece event, everyone will be looking to build momentum and hit peak form at just the right time. So the Lausanne Diamond League event is coming at a convenient moment.

If you want to watch the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lausanne Diamond League?

The 2025 Lausanne Diamond League takes place on Aug 19-20. This event takes place at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise.

How to watch the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free

The 2025 Lausanne Diamond League is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League for free with ExpressVPN.

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on August 20, 2025

See the moon phase expected for August 20, 2025 as well as when the next full moon is expected.

The moon is almost completely out of sight tonight, and this is due to where we are in the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 20.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Aug. 20, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 9% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

We're on day 27 of the lunar cycle, and there's really not a whole lot for us to see tonight. The only thing visible is the Grimaldi Basin, and you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see it. The Grimaldi Basin is an impact basin with an outer wall that is almost as long as the Grand Canyon, according to NASA.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Hurdle hints and answers for August 20, 2025

Hints and answers to today's Hurdle all in one place.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Squeezed.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

WRUNG

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A group of three.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TRIAD

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To complain.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

GRIPE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A stallion.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HORSE

Final Hurdle hint

To mock.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

TEASE

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

Alien: Earth: What are the 5 alien species onboard the ship?

In "Alien: Earth" there are five species of alien onboard the ship that crash lands. But what do we know about them so far?

One thing the Alien franchise is known for is its creatively hideous array of creatures. Alien: Earth is, of course, no exception, bringing back some famous(ly horrible) monsters from movies past while adding some new (and equally nausea-inducing) critters we've never seen before.

As we find out in episode 1, there are five specimens onboard the doomed Weyland-Yutani USCSS Maginot spaceship that crash lands back to Earth. So what are these aliens, and what do we know about them so far?

1. Xenomorph

If you've seen Alien, you already know all about this one. The franchise's main antagonist, the Xenomorph takes various forms in its lifecycle: First hatching out of an egg to latch onto the face of a victim (Facehugger mode) and planting an egg inside them, gestating, then bursting out of their chest (Chestburster mode), and finally growing into the full-sized alien that stalked Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and the Nostromo crew back in the 1979 movie.

2. Ticks

We see these nasty little bloaters in in episode 1 burrowing into a dead rat in the Maginot's onboard laboratory. It turns out to be a fairly gruesome foreshadowing of what they're capable of later in the episode, when they tuck into the Prodigy soldiers that head of security Morrow (Babou Ceesay) ties up inside the spaceship after it crashes on Earth. They seem to go for a vein, attach themselves, and suck their victim's blood just like an Earthly tick.

3. Flies

We don't know too much about these ones yet from the little we've seen of them in the first two episodes, but a winged version of anything from the Alien universe can't be good, can it? Let's hope they don't escape their containers.

4. Plant pods, aka D. Plumbicare

The hybrids find a large, ominous-looking plant pod hanging from the ceiling of the Maginot in episode 2.

"It presents as flora, but it may be fauna," says Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant), peering at the bulbous specimen. The thing is clearly aware of its surroundings, too — after Kirsh has wandered off the petals unfurl, producing a kind of stamen on the end of a tentacle that appears to be examining Tootles (Kit Young). Ick.

In episode 3, we get more information on this plant when Kirsh looks at a computer screen in the lab with information about the specimen.

"Science officer has given tentative taxonomic classification of D. Plumbicare due to the use of plumage to lure unsuspecting prey, a stamen to sense prey, and a pattern of 'leaves' which form a mouth," reads the screen. "Though generally confined to carnivory, D. Plumbicare has been seen eating nearby flora in dire situations. Animals given to D. Plumbicare have expired in one of three ways: asphyxiation, dissolve, or exhaustion.

"Stamen also acts as a gauge of atmospheric pressure and temperature. When conditions become inhospitable or a threat to survival, D. Plumbicare closes completely. When attempting to open a closed D. Plumbicare, many kilograms of pressure were applied to no avail. Once back on Earth, further testing needed to confirm strength of leaves. A carnivorous plant, not dissimilar to the terran genus Dionaea."

5. T. Ocellus

Vying strongly for the top spot of the "most disgusting new alien" podium is this little eight-legged nightmare, seen in episode 2 burrowing into the eyeball of the Maginot's resident cat and re-animating the poor creature before attacking our hybrid friends.

We have a little more information about this one thanks to the flickering computer terminal in the downed spaceship lab that Kirsh plugs himself into, which happens to be helpfully open on a page all about the mini octopus.

"A smooth scolex features several ocular irises and a tentacle system that can grow or retract at will," reads the screen. "The tentacles carry extraordinary strength and are built to climb into and dislodge the eyes of other living organisms. Once replaced in the eye socket, T. Ocellus takes over the ocular pathways to the brain, overriding the neuro-transmissions throughout the body. More study needed to gauge inherent intelligence, though the Ocellus has shown remarkable problem solving abilities at a near-human measure. A complete surprise."

We'll continue updating this piece as we learn more about our specimens in the coming weeks...

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX with two episodes, then weekly on Tuesdays.

Alien: Earth episode 3: Why is Wendy affected by the alien surgery?

In "Alien: Earth" episode 3, Wendy feels pain when the Xenomorph is being operated on. But why?

There are plenty of mysteries in Alien: Earth – What's the deal with the five corporations controlling the planet? Why are there so many Peter Pan references? How exactly does this show fit in with the Alien franchise timeline? — but episode 3 gave us a brand new one.

In short, why does Wendy/Marcy (Sydney Chandler) hear sounds of distress when the Xenomorph is being operated on, which in turn appear to cause her physical pain? What exactly is going on here?

Well, while we may not be able to fully answer that question, we have already been given a pretty big clue. Let's unpack it.

What happens in episode 3?

Now safely (ish) back at the Prodigy research island, Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant) and the hybrids start examining the five alien specimens from the downed Weyland-Yutani Maginot spaceship.

Wheeling one of the eggs out into the lab, Kirsh slices it open to discover the Xenomorph in its nightmarish "face-hugger" form. Cutting into the creature, he uncovers something akin to a tadpole, which anyone familiar with the Alien franchise will know is the beginning of the Xenomorph's final stage (the one that usually gestates in a human's chest before bursting out and then growing at a rapid rate).

Meanwhile, while this is happening, Wendy wakes up elsewhere in the building and hears a faint chittering sound. She walks through the corridors, presumably trying to place the noise — but as soon as the Xenomorph is removed from the egg in the lab and held down on the operating table, the noise in Wendy's head becomes so loud it causes her physical pain. She reaches the lab at the same moment Kirsh removes the tadpole, which causes her to collapse in agony.

Why does the alien surgery affect Wendy/Marcy?

So what's going on here, exactly? Does Wendy have some kind of psychic connection with the Xenomorph that allows her to feel its pain?

Well, the answer may in fact lie in a small bit of dialogue back in episode 1, which takes place shortly after Wendy/Marcy's consciousness has been downloaded into her new synthetic body.

At one point just before the hybrids go on their mission to find Wendy's brother, she's sitting in the lab taking part in an audio test that involves raising her hand when she hears a beep. The key line, which is muttered by a technician shortly before Wendy spots her brother on a nearby screen? "She's beyond our human frequencies. 75,000 hz."

This moment is almost lost due to Wendy abandoning the test shortly after, but it may actually be key to understanding why she collapses in pain during episode 3. It's not that Wendy has a psychic connection to the Xenomorphs — it's that they're making noises in a frequency that only she can hear. The audio test in episode 1 was cut short, presumably before the technicians had a chance to tweak Wendy's hearing — which means for now, she's the only one that can hear the aliens.

Alien: Earth episodes drop weekly on Hulu and FX at 8pm E.T. on Tuesdays.

Preview the Halo and Helldivers 2 crossover landing later this month

'Halo 3: ODST' weapons and armor are coming to 'Helldivers 2'

It was only a matter of time. Sony and Arrowhead Game Studios just announced the first Legendary Warbond for Helldivers 2, which will crossover with Microsoft and Xbox's Halo 3: ODST.

Landing August 26, right before Helldivers 2’s Xbox Series X/S debut, the Legendary Warbond brings a full arsenal of Bungie’s cult-classic ODST vibes into Super Earth’s endless warmongering campaign. The pack includes four weapons (three primaries and one sidearm), four vehicle skins, an armor passive, two banners, two capes, one player title, and two armor sets that look ripped straight from New Mombasa.

The theming makes perfect sense. Both ODSTs (which stands for Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) and Helldivers are soldiers literally fired from orbit into battle, so this collab feels like destiny.

This is also Arrowhead’s first Legendary-tier Warbond, priced at 1,500 Super Credits ($15). That’s a step above the usual Premium tier at 1,000 credits ($10), but unlike a traditional battle pass, Warbonds in Helldivers 2 don’t expire. If you skip it now, you can still pick it up later.

It’s also the game’s first crossover with a Microsoft property. The last tie-in, the Killzone Warbond, sparked backlash for overpricing cosmetics, sold individually instead of as a bundle, for a total price of 2,000 SC ($20). Arrowhead eventually apologized, and this time they’ve course-corrected by offering a pricier but more traditional full pack.

Fallout Season 2 teaser is all about New Vegas and Mr. House

"Fallout" Season 2 takes viewers to New Vegas, an iconic destination from the "Fallout" games. It premieres Dec. 17 on Prime Video.

In its first season, Fallout cemented itself as one of the best video game adaptations of all time. Not only did it deliver a wildly fun apocalyptic adventure that stayed true to the spirit of the games, it also racked up critical acclaim and 16 Emmy nominations, winning one for Outstanding Music Supervision.

Now, Fallout's much-anticipated second season is nearly upon us, and it's taking viewers to one of the most important locations in all the Fallout franchise: New Vegas, where fan-favorite game Fallout: New Vegas takes place.

Given Fallout: New Vegas' popularity, it was only a matter of time before Fallout brought the game's post-apocalyptic take on Las Vegas to the small screen. The series confirmed Season 2 would take place in New Vegas in its Season 1 finale, when Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) headed there following his confrontation with his daughter, Lucy (Ella Purnell).

Season 2 sees Lucy and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) hot on Hank's trail, while Maximus (Aaron Moten) and the Brotherhood of Steel gear up for battle. The first teaser for Season 2 also offers glimpses at more pre-war flashbacks to the Ghoul's former life as actor Cooper Howard. In the teaser, he heads to Las Vegas, where he meets up with Robert House (Justin Theroux), whom game players will recognize as the ruler of New Vegas.

Mr. House isn't the only major element from Fallout: New Vegas on display in the teaser for Season 2. Also present are members of Caesar's Legion, suited up for war. Plus, the trailer confirms that Season 2 will feature a major enemy from across the Fallout games: a Deathclaw. Color me scared, but also more than ready to return to the wasteland.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 17 on Prime Video.

The best expert-tested Sony headphones for every price point

Shop our favorite Sony headphones for every price point while they're on sale, including the ULT Wear, XM5s, and more.

It's no secret that we're big Sony fans. The audio brand's speakers, earbuds, and headphones regularly top our list of favorites. But the list of Sony headphones on its own is pretty comprehensive, with a model sitting at just about every price point.

So, which Sony headphones are the best of the best? Glad you asked. Mashable's team of experts tested just about every pair of headphones and earbuds in Sony's lineup to help you choose which ones are right for you.

We've gathered some of our top picks below to help you on your buying journey — and they all happen to be on sale. Whether you want the best of the best or something budget-friendly you can throw in your backpack without worry, we've got you covered.

Best splurge: Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sony WH-1000XM5

Why we like it

There's no denying that Sony's latest flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM6s, are wildly impressive. They're our top pick for sound quality amongst all brands of headphones, and our reviewer said they "elevate wireless audio to heights that no other rival has yet to match." But they cost over $400, even on sale. If you don't want to drop that much money on a pair of headphones, the previous generation WH-1000XM5s are extremely similar. "The WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features," our reviewer noted. The biggest downfall? They don't fold up.

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000xM6 headphones.

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000xM5 headphones.

Best deal: Sony WH-1000XM4

Why we like it

If you're not pressed on getting the latest and greatest Sony tech, we still highly recommend the WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones — especially while they're on sale for less than $200 (only a few bucks away from their record-low). Overall, the upgrades generation-over-generation have been pretty minor. They still offer top-notch noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, customizable EQ, a comfy fit, and foldable cups that make them great for travel (unlike the XM5s).

Best noise-cancellers on a budget: Sony WH-CH720N

Why we like it

More budget-conscious shoppers seeking noise-cancelling Sony headphones should look toward the WH-CH720Ns. While they don't look quite as snazzy as the flagship headphones and lack some of Sony's key features like LDAC and Quick Attention, our reviewer said the noise cancellation and sound make up for those shortcomings. Other perks are user-friendly controls, reliable multipoint connection, and a battery life of up to 50 hours. While their list price is $180, you can regularly find these babies on sale for under $100 — including now.

Best basic headphones on a budget: Sony WH-CH520

Why we like it

If noise cancellation isn't a must-have for you, you can keep a whole lot of money in your pocket by opting for the basic Sony WH-CH520s. You'll still get Sony audio quality, multipoint connection, hands-free calling, a comfortable and lightweight design, customizable EQ, and a battery life of up to 50 hours. Plus, they come in fun colors like butter yellow and pastel pink. At only $38, they're a few bucks away from their lowest price on record and an incredible value.

Best for bass lovers: Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones

Why we like it

With comparable sound to Sony's flagship headphones and heavy bass, the Sony ULT Wear noise-cancellers are a force to be reckoned with. Mashable's Miller Kern reviewed the headphones when they dropped last year and was "genuinely shocked" by how great they were for the price. "True audiophiles who are picky about sound will probably still prefer the XM5s," she wrote, "But to the average person, I’d say the ULT Wears are the winners — especially for those who prioritize bass and fullness in their audio." On sale, they're less than half the price of the XM5s.

Read our full review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Best earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5 noise-cancelling earbuds

Why we like it

Prefer earbuds to over-ears? The Sony WF-1000XM5s offer unbeatable sound quality, outstanding noise-cancellation, a gorgeous design, and a longer battery life than the second-gen AirPods Pro. They're essentially the XM5 flagship headphones, but in a more portable earbud form. They feature up to 12 hours of battery life, but the wireless charging case holds another 36 and comes with effective quick charging. They are pricey at 329.99, but you can find them on sale often for under $250.

Weapons, and the comedian turned horror director

Horror and comedy may feel like opposites, but both rely on timing, surprise, and reactions you can’t control.

What do horror and comedy really have in common? More than you’d think. Both genres rely on timing, surprise, and provoking reactions you can’t hold back. From Jordan Peele to Zach Cregger, comedy veterans are proving they know exactly how to scare us — and why the line between a laugh and a scream is thinner than it seems.

What to expect from the Made By Google Pixel 10 launch event

Google's next big product announcement will take place on Aug. 20, and we have a pretty good idea what's in store for the Pixel family.

The wait is nearly over, as we finally have a confirmed reveal date for the Google Pixel 10 lineup of smartphones. Google will host the Made by Google Pixel 10 launch event at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 20. And to lend some star power to the livestream, the company has tapped celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Curry, and Lando Norris.

Google has all but confirmed that we'll see the new Pixel 10 series of phones (and more) tomorrow. You can watch the event live as it happens, and we fully expect to see the following Pixel devices launched:

• Pixel 10

• Pixel 10 Pro

• Pixel 10 Pro XL

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold

• Pixel Watch 4

• Pixel Buds 2a

We've got the full download on all the devices and news we expect from the Made by Google 2025 event, and we'll also be covering it live. After the event wraps, Mashable will be participating in a live CNET roundtable on YouTube to recap the event — don't miss it.

All the new Pixel devices we expect at Made by Google 2025

As always, this will probably be a phone-centric show, but that likely won't be all we see. Keep an eye out for a long-rumored series of magnetic charging accessories, dubbed the PixelSnap series. Plus, you know Google never misses a chance to show off new artificial intelligence features — whether they're worth showing off or not.

Pixel 10

We have a full roundup of Pixel 10 lineup rumors and leaks for your perusal, but I'll also summarize the key findings here.

Starting with the base Pixel 10, it seems like the basic design of the phones won't change all that much from the Pixel 9 series. In other words, the Pixel 9a wasn't a template for the Pixel 10. Under the hood, expect all Pixel 10 phones to use the new in-house Tensor 5 chip, which ideally will deliver better performance than the Tensor 4 in last year's Pixel phones.

Screen brightness might also be improved, while the biggest change is undoubtedly in the rear camera array. This year's base Pixel model will allegedly have a third lens, bringing it more in line with previous Pixel Pro models. It might have a 50MP main lens with a 12MP ultrawide lens and a new 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. That would certainly give the Pixel 10 a leg up on other base model flagships, which typically only have two rear camera lenses.

As we reported in July (via Android Headlines), we expect the Pixel 10 lineup to be thicker and heavier than the Pixel 9, likely to make them compatible with Qi2 wireless charging. The differences are slight, fortunately.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL

It sounds like this year's Pro models will be incremental improvements over the versions Google launched a year ago.

Per Android Central, their display specs might be unchanged from last year, while they might get bumps in battery size. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, in particular, could have a 5,200mAh battery, which is enormous by contemporary smartphone standards. Google might also drop the 128GB storage option from the 10 Pro XL and bump the starting price of the unit up by $100 accordingly.

Aside from that, it doesn't seem like much will change in the Pro lineup, including the camera specs, which are rumored to be the same as a year ago. Google could prove us wrong here, of course, but we can only go by what's been leaked ahead of time.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Last year's Pixel 9 Pro Fold was my favorite foldable yet. However, Samsung brought the heat with the Galaxy Fold 7 in July, so the competition is a little stiffer this year. (We should also get a foldable iPhone in the near future.)

It doesn't seem like there will be major design changes to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which might be disappointing for those who wished for something as razor-thin as the new Galaxy Fold 7. It'll have three rear camera lenses, just as it did a year ago, though the specs are rumored to be very similar to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google is said to have bumped the battery size up to at least 5,000mAh, which should hopefully give it some more endurance, as that's been a regular complaint from Pixel users.

The two biggest rumored changes are less flashy, but not any less important than big, sweeping design overhauls would be. For starters, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might be the first foldable with a full IP68 waterproof rating. Beyond that, Google is apparently dropping the starting price by $200, down to $1,600. It's still expensive, but that would make it cheaper than the competition.

Lastly, solid leaks point to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold weighing more than its predecessor, which could be explained by the presence of magnets. That would make the new Pixel foldable fully compatible with the Qi 2 wireless charging standard.

Unfortunately, some rumors say this phone won't be released until October. We'll find out soon enough.

Pixel Watch 4

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Much of what we know about the Pixel Watch 4 seems to be based on leaked renders from back in April, courtesy of OnLeaks.

Judging from the renders (which are not official, of course), the new Pixel Watch could have thinner bezels while sharing the same rounded look as before. It also appears to lack traditional charging pins, which means Google may be emphasizing wireless charging this time around. There's also the possibility of new buttons on the unit itself, though we have no idea what they would be for at this time, if they even exist.

As usual, the most important changes to the Pixel Watch 4 will largely involve what it can do in terms of health tracking, and it's hard to get an idea of any of those features based purely on leaked renders.

Finally, the latest rumors point to improvements in battery life and brightness with the Pixel Watch 4, which will be running Wear OS 6. Per leaker Evan Blass, the Pixel Watch 4 will be a whopping 1,000 nits brighter than its predecessor, with 3,000 nits compared to the Pixel Watch 3's 2,000.

We'll wait until after the launch to decide if it's a worthy alternative to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8.

Pixel Buds 2a

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If you hated how vague the Pixel Watch 4 section was, you might want to scroll past this part.

Earlier this year, leaker Arsene Lupin published a list of possible colors for the device on X. And according to a more recent leak on X from Evan Blass, the new Pixel Buds 2a will only come in two colors — a lilac and classic black. According to that same leak, the new Pixel Buds will offer active noise cancellation (duh) and 7 hours of battery life. They will potentially lack the "Silent Seal" of the Pixel Buds Pro, which offers improved noise cancellation.

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Anything else?

As always, leave some room in your mind for surprises. While Made by Google will almost certainly focus on the products listed above, there could be other teases, too.

Namely, Google could follow up on two of its biggest teases from Google I/O earlier this year. The company debuted a new pair of XR smart glasses at the event, and we could hear more about those at Made by Google. Google also gave time for Samsung's Project Moohan headset at I/O, and it was weirdly absent from Samsung's Unpacked event last week. Could we see more of Moohan at Made by Google? Maybe, but I wouldn't call it a certainty.

All will be revealed soon...

Crowd Control trailer: Dropout turns crowd work into a game show

Dropout's "Crowd Control" pits stand-up comedians against each other in a crowd work contest. Contestants include Gianmarco Soresi and Bob the Drag Queen.

In the fourth episode of its seventh season, Dropout's Game Changer introduced an intriguing new game. Stand-up comedians Jeff Arcuri, Josh Johnson, and Gianmarco Soresi had to do competitive crowd work, spinning comedy out of their audience's most outlandish — and sometimes, downright traumatizing — stories.

Titled "Crowd Control," the episode's audience featured a competitive bearder, identical triplets, and the survivor of a serial killer attack, prompting a wide range of reactions and jokes from the competing comedians. Ultimately, though, the episode proved a fascinating exploration of walking the line between comedy and empathy, making it one of the season's most compelling installments. Now, Dropout is spinning "Crowd Control" off into its own show, joining the likes of other Game Changer spin-offs like Make Some Noise, Dirty Laundry, and Play It By Ear.

Premiering this Sept., Crowd Control is hosted by comedian and frequent Dropout collaborator Jacquis Neal. Each episode introduces a new trio of comedians who must spin up new material based solely on their interactions with audience members. Just like in the Game Changer episode, Crowd Control's audience members are wearing shirts that display intriguing facts about them. A red shirt means the fact is much trickier to put a comedic spin on, but more risk means more reward, right? (For example, one red shirt in the trailer above reads "distant incest.")

Original "Crowd Control" champion Soresi returns to defend his title this season. However, he's not the only big name on the docket. Crowd Control has assembled a real who's who of comedians, with this season's competitors including Bob The Drag Queen, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Paul F. Tompkins, Moshe Kasher, Leslie Liao, Ify Nwadiwe, Jamie Loftus, Leah Rudick, Cristela Alonzo, Guy Branum, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kiran Deol, Tina Friml, Baron Vaughn, Jenny Zigrino, Megan Gailey, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson.

Crowd Control premieres Sept. 8 on Dropout, with new episodes streaming every other Monday.

Sony expands Inzone gaming line with first-ever wired gaming buds, keyboard, and mouse

Sony launched a new generation of Inzone PC gaming products, including its first gaming keyboard, mouse, and wired gaming earbuds.

Sony just launched an expansion of its Inzone gaming line with a new flagship wireless headset, wired earbuds, and a collection of PC gaming peripherals. This is the first time Sony has offered many of these products, which include the Inzone H9 II noise-cancelling headset, the Inzone E9 in-ear monitors, the Inzone KBD-H75 gaming keyboard, the Inzone Mouse-A gaming mouse, and two new mousepads.

Sony may be best known for its noise-cancelling headphones and the PS5 gaming console, but the company is now making new inroads into the PC gaming market. The new products are available for pre-order now and will ship in the first week of September.

For its expanded Inzone lineup, Sony worked with professional gamers with the Fnatics esports team, which tested some of these products at the Apex Legends Global Series Championship. Mashable has also been testing the new Inzone products (the headset and aluminum gaming keyboard are definitely standouts), and we've got all the details.

The new Inzone gaming lineup

With the exception of the H9 II headset, all of these products are category firsts for Sony. The products are all available for pre-order now at Amazon and Sony.

• Inzone H9 II Headset: $349.99 at Amazon

• Inzone E9 In-Ear Monitors: $149.99 at Amazon

• Inzone KBD-H75 Keyboard: $299.99 at Sony

• Inzone Mouse-A: $149.99 at Sony

• Inzone Mat F mousepad: $59.99 at Sony

• Inzone Mat D speed mousepad: $34.99 at Sony

The H9 II PC gaming headset and E9 in-ear monitors

The flagship H9 II is a follow-up to the original H9 headset, originally released in 2022. It has the same 30mm drivers as the flagship Sony XM6 noise-cancelling headphones and powerful active noise cancellation. In addition, they feature a redesigned headband, which features a slider-lock system and fabric headband. This results in a significantly lighter design. Combined with foam ear cushions, this makes them extremely comfortable for extended wear in our testing.

The headset has a detachable, unidirectional microphone. Sony's noise-cancellation technology utilizes artificial intelligence to isolate the player's voice during gameplay.

The H9 II also offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB-C (2.4GHz connection), Bluetooth LE audio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. We've found that the headphones sound fantastic, and PC gamers can use the Sony Inzone Hub to adjust EQ settings and choose from three audio presets designed to improve the sound of first-person shooters.

Designed for professional gamers and first-person shooters, the new E9 wired gaming earbuds are also extremely comfortable. They feature a wrap-around design that doesn't tug on your ear, and in a Call of Duty demo, they offered both a secure fit and high-quality, detail-rich audio. Like the H9 II, the audio can be fully customized to your liking. Crucially, the secure fit and shape offer high amounts of passive noise cancellation in our experience.

A Sony press release states: "The INZONE E9 hosts Sony’s first fully enclosed structure, and combined with the noise isolation ear tips, they achieve superior passive noise isolation for more focused sound. These in-ear monitors are designed to reduce sounds from a pro tournament crowd or get rid of simple background distractions in everyday play."

New Inzone gaming peripherals

Let's start with the most exciting new product here: Sony's first-ever PC gaming keyboard, the Inzone KBD-H75. In our testing, it's extremely satisfying to type on this keyboard, even when you're not gaming. We love the CNC-machined aluminum frame and tactile experience. But, since this is designed for gamers, let's break down the specs.

Gamers can use the Inzone gaming hub to fully customize each key's actuation and reset points. The keyboard features a polling rate of up to 8,000Hz for lightning-fast, rapid trigger reaction and accurate signal delivery.

According to a Sony press release:

"The KBD-H75 keyboard utilizes a gasket mount that cushions each press by sandwiching the plate with soft gaskets, reducing vibration, and improving feedback for a smoother, more satisfying keystroke and a clean, precise typing sound—delivering comfort that lasts through long gaming sessions...[The] INZONE KBD-H75 gaming keyboard adopts a compact 75% layout to give pro FPS players more mouse space without sacrificing essential keys for daily use."

The new gaming mouse is ultra-light at 48.4 grams, though it's not the lightest mouse available in 2025. This gaming mouse can stay powered on for 90 hours of gaming. As you'd expect, you can customize the six buttons in the Inzone Hub. The mousepads are... mousepads. The D version of the pad is designed for maximum speed.

Sonys new flagship Inzone H9 II gaming headset is here — and with a surprise feature

Sony launched its new Inzone H9 II wireless noise-cancelling gaming headset on Aug. 19. Priced at $349.99, the flagship headset comes with a surprise upgrade.

Sony just launched its new flagship wireless gaming headset, the Inzone H9 II, alongside a new lineup of gaming peripherals and wired gaming earbuds. Priced at $349.99, the H9 II is available now.

The new PC gaming headset is part of an expansion of Sony's Inzone gaming lineup. The upgraded headset comes three years after the launch of the original H9 model and delivers some notable upgrades. Most importantly, the headset features the same 30mm drivers as the newest flagship Sony XM6 headphones, which means they sound just as good as the best headphones available in 2025. I was surprised that Sony included these drivers in a product that costs $100 less than the XM6, but I'm not complaining.

I've been testing the new headset (and the new Inzone gaming peripherals) for the past couple weeks, and so far, I'm impressed.

Meet the Sony Inzone H9 II noise-cancelling headset

Let's start with the basics. The H9 II features upgraded specs in key areas compared to the original H9 headset. Designed for pro-level gaming, the headset has 360-degree spatial audio and Sony's signature active noise cancellation technology. Sony says the headset was designed around the 30mm drivers from the new XM6 headphones, resulting in high-quality, high-clarity audio across the sound spectrum.

Key specs include:

• Noise cancellation: Yes

• Driver: 30mm driver (same as WH-1000XM6 headphones)

• Spatial sound: 360-degree spatial sound with FPS presets

• App connected: Sony Inzone Hub (PC) and Sound Connect (mobile)

• Weight: 260 grams

• Ports: USB-C and 3.5mm headphone jack

• Microphone: Unidirectional, detachable

• Battery life: 30 hours

• Quick charge: 5 minutes gives you 1 hour of charge

• Travel case: Fabric pouch included

The H9 II was designed for professional gamers

At a press briefing, Sony stressed that the new headphones were tested with the esports team Fnatic. Sony worked with professional gamers in Tokyo and Berlin to design audio presets specifically designed for pro gaming and first-person shooters. Players can choose between audio settings that emphasize subtle sounds like footsteps or deep rumbles from sound effects. The EQ settings are also fully customizable, but thanks to the new driver, they sound fantastic right out of the box.

The H9 II was also redesigned for comfort. It's significantly lighter than the original H9, 260g versus 330g, and in my testing, it's comfortable for long periods of time. The new fabric headband, foam cushions, and lightweight design make it extremely comfortable, putting it on par with the most comfortable headphones from Bose.

For hardcore PC gamers, the Inzone Hub lets you fine-tune the audio so you can hear every detail in your game. The headset delivers 7.1ch audio and 360-degree spatial audio. Players also have multiple connectivity options, and you can plug in with included USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables. You can also simultaneously connect via Bluetooth LE audio with the supplied USB-C dongle, which offers a low-latency 2.4GHz connection and low-latency gameplay.

Finally, the headset has a new slider lock system to adjust the headband, and it's available in both white and black.

Sony Inzone H9 II: My first impressions

I'll say this, my PC gaming days are long behind me, so I can only review these headphones from a casual gamer's perspective. However, I was able to demo the new headset during a Call of Duty gaming session, and from what I heard, the headset delivers the full, rich audio Sony promises. You can hear a surprising amount of detail with the FPS audio presets.

So, the sound is fantastic, but that's not a surprise given what's inside. The Sony drivers and noise cancellation are extremely effective, and they make music, games, and movies sound incredible. In testing them on work calls, I've also found the microphone offers impressive clarity.

The headset is extremely comfortable, and I like the overall redesign, but I expect the new look to be controversial. The fabric headset and slider-lock system isn't as clean-looking as the original H9 headset, though the tradeoff is improved comfort for marathon gaming sessions.

Personally, I'd opt for the black headset, but to each their own.

Is the Sony Inzone H9 II gaming headset worth it?

Let's talk about the price: At $349.99, it's $100 cheaper than the flagship XM6 headphones. So, relatively speaking, that's not a bad deal. Of course, that's still a lot of money. If you're a serious PC and PS5 gamer, then I could definitely see this becoming your new daily headset, especially if you care about audio quality, noise cancellation, and comfort.

That being said, Sony has been lagging on battery life lately. The H9 II features lower battery life than its predecessor (the XM6 also failed to deliver battery upgrades). That may be because Sony is prioritizing noise cancellation and comfort over larger batteries, but you'll have to decide if the trade-off is worth it. Newer PC gaming headsets like the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 offer 250 hours of battery life, for comparison.

With a three-year wait since the original H9 headset landed, the new model definitely offers enough new features to be worthy of an upgrade.

My Best Buy Plus and Total members: Get NFL Sunday Ticket for up to $222 off

One way to get a discounted NFL Sunday Ticket is by having a paid My Best Buy membership. Save up to $222 for the upcoming season.

SAVE UP TO $222: Through Sept. 30, My Best Buy Plus and Total members can get NFL Sunday Ticket for the upcoming season for $258. That's $18 less than YouTube's own deal for new subscribers ($276) and $222 less than the regular price for returning subscribers ($480).

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A new NFL Sunday Ticket deal is unlocked — and this time, returning subscribers don't automatically get the shaft.

Through Sept. 30, My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members can claim the full upcoming season of NFL Sunday Ticket for $258 flat. This shakes out to just over $32 per month, and is the first time we've seen an NFL Sunday Ticket deal apply to everyone, not just new users.

Compared to the prices offered through YouTube directly, this deal is $18 less for new subscribers and $222 less for returning subscribers. (YouTube's current promo gives newbies a huge price cut, but makes those who have had Sunday Ticket before pay the full $480.)

If you already have an NFL Sunday Ticket account but aren't yet a Plus or Total member, paying for either Best Buy membership plus the $258 Sunday Ticket sale price would still be cheaper than YouTube's $480/year fee for returning subscribers. My Best Buy Plus only costs $49.99/year and unlocks free two-day shipping on just about everything with no order minimum, members-only pricing, and early access to sale events (which could come in handy for Black Friday). My Best Buy Total costs $179.99/year and includes all of the perks we just listed, plus Apple Care+, 24/7 Geek Squad support, and 60-day returns for most items.

If you've never signed up for NFL Sunday Ticket before and also aren't yet a paying Best Buy member, you'd be better off just opting for the new user deal offered by YouTube itself. (Otherwise, you'd be paying to sign up for your Best Buy membership on top of the $258 for Sunday Ticket price.)

Cooper Hoffman and The Long Walk cast compete for ultimate Stephen King film knowledge

"The Long Walk" stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, and Tut Nyuot play Know Your Role, where they are given a line from an iconic Stephen King film and have to correctly guess the film.

The Long Walk stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, and Tut Nyuot throw down in a super competitive round of Know Your Role. They are given a line from an iconic Stephen King film and have to correctly guess the film based on the quote alone. First one to guess correctly gets a point, and the player with the most points at the end is the winner.

The Long Walk, the latest Stephen King story adapted to film, is a novella King started writing when he was back in high school. Now, almost 60 years later, it's finally coming to the big screen. The story follows a group of teenage boys who enter a dystopian race controlled by the military, where you have to keep walking above a certain speed or face death. The race only stops when there's one person left standing.

Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill star.

The Long Walk hits theaters Sept. 12.

Bring your favorite person to see Together at AMC Theatres with this BOGO deal

As of Aug. 19, buy one ticket and get one free to see 'Together' at participating AMC Theatres.

BUY ONE TICKET, GET ONE FREE: As of Aug. 19, buy one ticket to see Together at participating AMC Theatres locations and get one free as part of the "2 Become 1" promotion.

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Ever get the feeling you're too close to your partner? Like, to the point that you might be becoming, uh, part of them? That's something like the problem Allison Brie and Dave Franco are facing in the horrifying flick Together, which is in theaters now. If you've yet to see it, now's a good time to snag tickets, thanks to a BOGO deal from AMC Theatres and Fandango that make it the perfect (affordable) night out.

As of Aug. 19, you can buy one ticket to see Together at participating AMC Theatres locations via Fandango, and get one free. This BOGO event, cheekily called the "2 Become 1" promo, is made for you to take your favorite person with you to see one of the most inventive horror movies of the year, and you can do it on the cheap.

This promotion applies to Fandango from now through Aug. 22 and AMC through Aug. 21., so buy your tickets early and plan to head out to see the movie before the weekend.

Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko praised Together as a "twisted ride that's sure to give you goosebumps," praising it for its "supremely gruesome climax" as well as Brie and Franco's "undeniable chemistry."

Depending on who you go to the movies with, it could be a fantastic experience or an unmitigated disaster. But that's kind of what you get with the couple going through the events of Together, too. Between this movie and Weapons, it's an exciting time for horror.

OpenAIs Sam Altman warns of AI bubble

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says ChatGPT’s growth signals an AI bubble, but says AI is still an important technological shift.

ChatGPT reaches more than 700 million people each week — and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thinks we may be in an AI bubble.

"When bubbles happen, smart people get overexcited about a kernel of truth," he told a small group of reporters, including The Verge's Alex Heath, over dinner in San Francisco. "If you look at most of the bubbles in history, like the tech bubble, there was a real thing. Tech was really important. The internet was a really big deal. People got overexcited. Are we in a phase where investors as a whole are overexcited about AI? My opinion is yes. Is AI the most important thing to happen in a very long time? My opinion is also yes."

A bubble is when the price of something rises above its actual value typically because investors become too excited. Think: the dotcom bubble, the cryptocurrency bubble, even the housing bubble of the 2000s. As Nasdaq says in its definition of a bubble, they're "often hard to detect in real time because there is disagreement over the fundamental value of the asset."

As NBC News reported, the AI bubble could be bigger than the internet bubble, according to a report from Apollo Global Management chief economist Torsten Slok. But not everyone agrees — Ray Wang, research director for semiconductors, supply chain and emerging technology at Futurum Group, told CNBC that while there might be an AI bubble, he doesn't necessarily see that reality. "The fundamentals across the supply chain remain strong, and the long-term trajectory of the AI trend supports continued investment," he told the news outlet. And, of course, it is much easier to point out a bubble from the other side.

Altman also told the reporters at the dinner that, while ChatGPT is currently the "fifth biggest website in the world right now," he soon expects it to beat out Instagram and Facebook for third. After that, he says, ChatGPT's growth challenges "get harder."

"For ChatGPT to be bigger than Google, that’s really hard," he said.

One of Altman's top priorities, Heath reported, is getting more GPUs so he can keep scaling OpenAI, bubble or not.

"You should expect OpenAI to spend trillions of dollars on data center construction in the not very distant future," he said.

Record-low price alert: The 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is $350 off at Amazon

The 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $447.99, down from the list price at TCL of $799.99. That's a 44% discount.

SAVE 44%: The 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $447.99, down from the list price at TCL of $799.99. That's a savings of $352, which matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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Fall TV shows are almost here, and so are some of the biggest sporting games of the year. If your TV is lacking (or lagging), upgrading today means you'll have it hung before the must-see events go live. If a 55-inch QLED model works best for your needs, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 19, the 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is on sale for $447.99 at Amazon, marked down from the list price at TCL of $799.99. That works out to a 44% discount, shavings $352 off the norm. This price matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

A 55-inch TV could be perfect for the garage, a kids' room, or a studio apartment. This TCL model is a QLED, which means it'll be great for watching daytime TV. Plus, the native 144Hz refresh rate means it's capable of gaming, and that increases to 240Hz in gaming mode. This is the smallest available size for the TCL QM6K, which means this will be the most affordable option with these specs.

TCL makes some of Mashable's favorite budget TVs, so you'll be in good hands with the brand. Plus, this model comes equipped with Google TV, so you won't need to buy a separate streaming device.

While it's back down to the lowest price ever for a limited time, upgrade to the 55-inch TCL QM6K LED 4K TV. You'll be saving a whopping $352 compared to the normal list price, and your new favorite shows will look oh so good on the QLED display.

Does the dog in Good Boy die?

`The scary horror movie trailer has dog lovers stressed!

Is there anything the internet loves more than dogs? (Cat people, I can't hear you!)

Well, a love of dogs is a key ingredient to what makes Good Boy such a fantastic horror movie premise. The trailer for the IFC Films release dropped yesterday, painting a creepy portrait of an adorable dog in mortal peril! Co-writer/director Ben Leonberg centers his film on Indy, his own family's dog, who has incredible star power. The premise is simple: a dog is in a haunted house where his owner can't sense the spirits that could harm them both. And you know what that means: the dog could die.

The immediate reaction to the trailer on X was movie fans (and dog lovers) concerned over this very question:

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

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

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

Now, this is actually a major point of tension in the film. Sure, it's common for the stakes in a horror movie to be life or death — but with people.The very existence of a website dedicated to learning if the dog dies in any given movie suggests we as a species are more terrified of seeing a sweet dog being killed onscreen than hordes of horny teens or even ghost-plagued children. And Indy isn't just any dog. As the trailer and my review out of SXSW proclaims, he's a star. That led me to confess, "The resulting horror movie had me yelping like I was a kid seeing her first scary movie."

That was in no small part because I didn't know how this movie would end, and I was very invested. But hey, if your stress levels demand to know before you go how things shake out for the eponymous Good Boy, we've got you. Before you get misinformation from trolls on social media or misled by AI chatbots, Mashable will answer this question, from someone who has seen, reviewed, and loved Good Boy.

One final word of warning: Spoilers for the end of Good Boy below:

Does Indy the dog survive Good Boy?

Indy the dog lives.

Now, with this comfort in mind, I sincerely recommend you check out Good Boy. Indy is waiting to be discovered.

Good Boy opens in theaters Oct. 3.

Take $150 off the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop at Amazon and let the robots do the work

As of Aug. 19, get $150 off the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 19, get the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop for $279.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $429.99. That's a discount of 35%.

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Are you still manually vacuuming and mopping your floors? We're outsourcing that to robots in 2025, so if you haven't picked out a robot vacuum or mop yet, now's the time to go ahead and pick one up. And we've picked one out for you that's on sale right now at a great price.

As of Aug. 19, get the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $279.99, down from its usual price of $429.99. That's $150 off for a discount of 35%.

This robot vacuum and mop combo is meant to clean your floors efficiently without your input, whether that's the nooks and crannies you don't look in, or the most trafficked areas of your home that need the most attention on a daily basis. It boasts 10,000 Pa of HyperForce suction power so it can gather dirt and debris like a pro; dual anti-tangle design to cut through human and pet hair easily; and a self-emptying base that doesn't have to be emptied for seven weeks. That's quite a while when it comes to vacuum storage.

The unit puts its LiDAR navigation system to use to keep from running into furniture, pets, or even falling down the stairs so you don't have to babysit it. It can also seamlessly switch from vacuum to mop to save you a little extra time. And you can just set a cleaning schedule in the accompanying app so you can leave it to its own devices to clean for you when needed.

If it's time to invest in a robot vacuum, this is a great pick that you should snatch up before it disappears.

The DJI Mini 3 drone is not only in stock at Amazon, its on sale for $50 off

The DJI Mini 3 with screen remote control is on sale at Amazon for $499, down from the standard price of $549. That's a 9% discount.

SAVE $50: The DJI Mini 3 drone with screen remote control is on sale at Amazon for $499, down from the standard price of $549. That's a 9% discount.

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DJI is having a monumental year. The brand is dropping new products like never before while also running into potential drone bans. While nothing is official yet, it's possible DJI won't be able to sell drones in the U.S. come December. Because of this, DJI drones are out of stock at almost every retailer. But there's a model in-stock today at Amazon, and it's even on sale.

As of Aug. 19, the DJI Mini 3 drone with screen remote control is on sale for $499 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $549. That's a 9% discount that takes $50 off the price. It's worth noting this deal is offered from a third-party seller at Amazon. Mashable doesn't usually recommend buying from third-party sellers, but since it's super rare to find DJI drones in stock these days, this might be the best option. Plus, the seller, AeroTech Hubs, has an overwhelmingly positive rating over the last year. And it ships via Amazon Prime, so members are in for quick delivery.

The DJI Mini 3 is designed to capture awesome footage while being compact and easy to operate. This model is especially great since it comes with the screen remote control, giving you access to a live video feed of what the drone is capturing.

Getting up to 38 minutes of flight time, the DJI Mini 3 weighs under 249 grams, which is less than half a pound. Thanks to its weight and size, it'll be easy to pack the DJI drone alone on any content shoot or outdoor adventure. Plus, it comes with Level 5 wind resistance, which means it can handle up to 23 mile per hour gusts.

The 249 gram weight is also important when it comes to registering the drone. In many countries, including the U.S., you can fly a drone that weighs under 250 grams without registration or certification. Of course, you'll want to check on this before you take off to make sure all local regulations are good to go.

If you've been searching for a DJI drone but have run into out-of-stock notices, score the DJI Mini 3 at Amazon today while it's in stock and on sale for under $500.

On Aug. 19 only, the Wednesday Addams Lego set is on sale for $20 at Best Buy

The 'Wednesday' Lego set featuring a movable Wednesday Addams doll plus a ton of accessories is on sale for $19.99 — $30 off — at Best Buy.

SAVE $30: The Best Buy Drop for Wednesday, Aug. 19 is the Wednesday Addams Figure and Buildable Toy Doll Lego set. It's usually $49.99, but while inventory lasts, is on sale for $19.99.

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Sorry summer, but if Nevermore Acadamy is back in session, spooky season is back in session. Best Buy is feeding into the macabre mood by giving the popular Wednesday Addams Lego set the Best Buy Drop treatment: The Wednesday Addams Buildable Toy Doll set that's usually $49.99 has dropped to $19.99 for a limited time on Aug. 19.

Best Buy Drops have limited stock available, always debuting with a bar that shows how much inventory is left as people shop. Popular drops (Legos being one of them) tend to go quickly, so set your alarm and be ready on the Best Buy mobile app.

There are lot of pieces packed into this practically-priced set (a rarity for popular Legos nowadays): A collectible posable Wednesday doll with a movable head, arms and feet, plus two swappable faces and two outfits for rebuilds when you feel like it. Mini figurines of Thing, Wednesday's typewriter, Nero's grave, a crystal ball, a stand with toy black dahlias, and two hidden spaces for hiding keepsakes are also thrown in. You can arrange everything under the swirly Nevermore Academy gate. It's enough to keep yourself busy until the premiere of Season 2, Part 2 on Sept. 3.

Best Buy's Wednesday Lego collection also includes The Black Dahlia flower building set for $27.99 and Wednesday and Enid's dorm room building set for $89.99.

Spotify now allows custom transitions in playlists

Spotify launched a beta feature for Premium users that lets them customize transitions between songs.

Now more than ever, Spotify's newest feature will make you feel like a professional DJ.

You've already got the perfect playlist, now Spotify lets you add and customize transitions between songs. On Tuesday, Spotify launched a beta version for Premium users to add song transitions.

There's now a mix button in the playlist toolbar that lets you mix songs for a seamless transition. You can hit Auto and let Spotify do the mixing for you, or can you choose presets like Fade or Rise to apply different transition styles. If you want to get even more technical, Spotify lets you set the volume, EQ (equalizer), and effects with the waveform visual and beats information. Tapping Mix on the playlist automatically shows BPMs and keys to help you mix smooth transitions between songs.

This is the latest feature from Spotify that gives users more control over their listening habits. Over the past few months, Spotify has launched the ability to customize genres for their Discover Weekly playlists, and customize their queues with shuffle and sleep timer options. Spotify's AI-powered DJ also now takes song requests.

The steady drumbeat of more and more algorithmic recommendations has polarized Spotify users. Some love that the app automatically chooses music for them based on their preferences, while others feel like the recommendations are annoying and inhibit them from discovering new artists on their own.

New features geared around giving users more control, or perhaps the illusion of control, might help to balance out these frustrations that have driven users to quit the app.

Transitions are rolling out to Spotify Premium users today, so paying users can see for themselves how it feels to be the master of their song transitions.

Save $50 on the 11-inch Apple iPad at Amazon (in all colorways)

The Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale at Amazon for $299, down from the list price of $349. That's a 14% discount.

SAVE $50: The Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale at Amazon for $299, down from the list price of $349. That's a 14% discount.

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We're full-on into back-to-school season now, which means it's time to take stock of what items you still need to help with a successful year. For many students, regardless of age, a tablet is an awesome addition for both studying and relaxing. Even if you're not heading to the classroom this year, now is a great time to score a discount on one of Apple's best tablets.

As of Aug. 19, the Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $299 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $349. That shaves $50 off the price thanks to the 14% discount. Plus, you can choose from blue, yellow, pink, and silver to score this sale price.

On the list of the best iPads, Mashable's top pick for a budget model is the Apple iPad 11-inch. Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop, but don't want to spend a ton of money." Mangino also highlights this is a great model for parents to snag for their kids thanks to the affordable price.

The iPad measures 10.9 inches which is a great middle-ground between a laptop and a cellphone. You'll be able to draw, draft, and stream shows with this size without it overtaking your bag or being so tiny that you'll need to find your reading glasses. Plus, its 500 nits of brightness make it pretty nice for using outside.

If you feel like getting fancy with the iPad, you can pair it with the Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard Folio to make a laptop-esque experience.

While it's still on sale for $299, snag the Apple iPad 11-inch at Amazon and watch Wednesday on a more deserving screen than your phone. Come time to study, it'll be great for reviewing lecture notes.

Colin Farrell raises the stakes and fistfuls of lobster in Ballad of a Small Player trailer

Colin Farrell goes all in with the trailer for "Conclave" director Edward Berger's upcoming film "Ballad of a Small Player."

Colin Farrell goes all in with the trailer for Conclave director Edward Berger's upcoming film Ballad of a Small Player.

Set to premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the movie sees The Penguin star as Lord Doyle, a man who gambles every night in Macau's casinos, falling further into debt but lapping up every luxury and fistful of lobster while he can.

Fresh from The End and Problemista, Tilda Swinton is hot on Doyle's heels as private investigator Cynthia Blithe. Could a helping hand from an enigmatic casino employee Dao Ming (Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire star Fala Chen) get him out of this mess? Perhaps, if her own secrets don't catch up to her first.

With the most dramatic version of Andrea True's "More, More, More," you've ever heard, the Ballad of a Small Player trailer promises high stakes, big bets, and a hotel room-bound descent into madness.

Ballad of a Small Player will premiere at TIFF on Sept. 8, before hitting select U.S. cinemas Oct. 15 and streaming on Oct. 29.

Save $99 on the Apple iPad 10th Gen just in time for the new school year

Find the best iPad deal. As of Aug. 19, get the iPad (10th Gen) for $399.99 at Amazon.

SAVE $99.01: As of Aug. 19, get the Apple iPad (10th Gen) for $399.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $499.

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It's never a bad time to get a tablet. It's officially time to head back to school, so make sure you or your kids are equipped with a great device to kick off the year. And if you've already prepped for that, maybe just treat yourself or the family to an iPad that won't break the bank as much as some of the newer models might at present.

As of Aug. 19, get the Apple iPad (10th Gen) for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's $99.01 off and a discount of 20% on list price.

This isn't the latest and greatest iPad by any means, but that doesn't mean it's a slouch, not by a long shot. It's actually been discontinued, which means it's not officially listed as up for grabs via the official Apple website, but it's still obtainable through third-party retailers lke Amazon, where it frequently goes on sale.

This is a thin, lightweight, and sleek iPad design that boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It uses the A14 Bionic chip for impressive performance and multitasking that can power you through just about any use case, whether that's gaming, watching your favorite shows and movies, or getting some work done on the go.

It's perfect for hanging out in meetings and Zoom calls as well, and if you have virtual classes to attend, it can facilitate that too with its 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and 12MP back camera with 4K video support.

There's a lot to love about this older model, especially the price, so grab one while it's still in stock.

Android rolls out support for deleting sent text messages

Android users can now delete text messages they sent, not just for themselves, but for their recipients, too.

We've all been there: You sent a text message that you instantly regretted, either because it was sent to the wrong person, or you had a change of heart. Now, Android users can fix their mistakes.

As initially spotted by Android Authority, the ability to unsend text messages after they've been fired off into the ether is rolling out widely to Android users. Simply highlight a text you sent, tap the trashcan icon, and you can either choose to delete the message just for yourself, or for everyone else in the chat.

Android Authority noted that this was coming all the way back in February, but it seems to be available to the general public now. For those keeping score at home, this is a very rare instance of Apple having done something in iOS before Google could do it in Android; iOS users have had the ability to edit and unsend text messages for a while now.

That said, it's not a competition, and this feature will help you avoid some very awkward conversations. As always, the best way to prevent bad situations it to not send the questionable text in the first place.

Massive Allianz Life data breach details reportedly revealed

The latest info on the Allianz Life data breach reveals how bad it may be.

More information about the massive Allianz Life data breach has reportedly been revealed and it is decidedly not good. Like very not good.

The data breach notification site Have I Been Pwned reported that 1.1 million customers had their data stolen from Allianz Life, which is a major insurance provider. The data in question included email addresses, names, genders, dates of birth, phone numbers and physical addresses. At least some social security numbers were breached as well.

Allianz Life has not confirmed Have I been Pwned's number of customers affected by the breach, but the new info tracks with the relatively limited details shared by the company so far.

"On July 16, 2025, a malicious threat actor gained access to a third-party, cloud-based [customer relationship management] system used by Allianz Life,” Allianz Life spokesperson Brett Weinberg told TechCrunch in July. "The threat actor was able to obtain personally identifiable data related to the majority of Allianz Life’s customers, financial professionals, and select Allianz Life employees, using a social engineering technique."

It's never good when the "majority" of your customers are affected and now it seems we have a possible figure of 1.1 million.

If you're a customer of the insurance company, it feels safe to assume your info has been breached. Update your passwords accordingly.

Score a sizzling deal on a new phone at the 2025 POCO Carnival

Want to nab a new smartphone for under $130 bucks? Check out POCO’s online-only carnival.

If you’re not yet familiar with POCO smartphones, you want to be. As Xiaomi’s spinoff brand, POCO is a global go-to for sleek Android phones with top specs, standout battery life, brilliant displays, and prices that still let you indulge in your daily iced-matcha fix.

Now that POCO is getting more notice in the market, maybe it’s time you got dialed in. And there’s no better place to get in on the POCO buzz — and deals — than the brand’s virtual Carnival event, Aug. 13 – 27.

POCO’s sizzling phone lineup works with T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Tello in the US, and the brand’s ethos of “everything you need, nothing you don’t” will strike a chord with anyone who wants a solid and incredibly affordable phone for everyday use, gaming, and streaming.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the fun and deals to be had during the POCO 2025 event. 

Play interactive games and win cool prizes

POCO Carnival will offer massive price slashes on the brand’s latest and most popular smartphones — including the POCO F7*, F7 Ultra*, F7 Pro*, X7*, X7 Pro*, and new M7* — but the online celebration is also packed with immersive fan experiences and giveaways on Facebook and X you don’t want to miss. Other than the deals, POCO Carnival aims to connect its community through engaging social media challenges, interactive contests, and special rewards for loyal fans.

From Aug. 14, the Ride Bold Challenge invites fans to tackle a word puzzle packed with POCO-related keywords and a visual hunt for POCO’s virtual avatar Rydr hidden in graphic art. Starting Aug. 20, Win Loud – #MyPOCO7Years celebrates POCO’s 7th anniversary by inviting fans to share their favorite memories — from their first POCO phone to their boldest adventures — for a chance to win exclusive souvenirs.

And, of course, all of the fun is complemented by sweet deals on select POCO smartphones.

The POCO F7 Ultra is a premium device at a killer price

With a starting price of $509 during Carnival, the F7 Ultra is a mighty beast that’s priced right. As the first Ultra model in the flagship line, F7 Ultra's biggest flex may be its Snapdragon® 8 Elite processor, while the 5,300mAh battery, paired with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, will give you a full day of play on a single charge.

Add in the 50-megapixel triple camera and 60-millimeter floating telephoto camera and this device will do you right. The banana-yellow color is particularly grabbable.

The POCO F7 Pro is a slick gadget with a potent chipset

If you want flagship-tier power, excellent battery life, and a gorgeous display without blowing your budget, the POCO F7 Pro delivers on all fronts. The Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 chip tackles everyday tasks with ease, and the 2K 120Hz AMOLED display is a joy to look at. The massive 6,000mAh battery is also boosted by 90W HyperCharge capabilities for fast juicing. 

Aesthetics are another perk here, as the F7 Pro’s sleek, symmetrical curves feel great in your hand. Nab one starting at just $379 during POCO Carnival. 

POCO X7 Pro slays as a phone and gaming device

Starting at an eye-popping $259 during POCO Carnival, the POCO X7 Pro offers speedy performance, solid build quality, and a sharp screen, delivering the specs you want at a very doable price. The Dimensity 8400-Ultra chipset’s blazing-fast performance and gaming capabilities seem like they’re worth more than the sticker price alone.

The device’s sharp CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED display is capable of a 120Hz refresh rate, and ultra-slim bezels enhance your viewing pleasure even more. From pocket gaming to watching shows and scrolling cat videos, the screen’s punchy colors and pure blacks sing. 

The new POCO M7 packs a dreamy screen, starting at $129

If you’re big on entertainment specs, the POCO M7 launches at Carnival this year and will be unbelievably priced at $129 for the event. Don’t let the cost fool you — the Snapdragon® 685 chip (expandable up to 16GB RAM) is ready for tasking, gaming, and streaming galore. But it’s the 6.9-inch FHD+ display with up to a 144Hz refresh rate that really wows. This is the largest wide-screen display in POCO's M-series, and a steal at this price.

Also worth noting is the 7,000mAh battery, which is the largest battery you can get in a US-compatible POCO phone. 

POCO F7: Flagship power with unstoppable stamina

If you want supreme performance and a display that wows, the POCO F7 delivers on all fronts. The Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 chip handles everything effortlessly, while the 6.83" 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display with ultra-slim bezels makes every scroll and stream immersive. Snap sharper with the 50MP Sony camera with OIS and go all day with the massive 6500mAh battery boosted by 90W HyperCharge. IP68 dust and water resistance adds premium durability.

Nab one starting at $339 during POCO Carnival.

The POCO X7 combines speed, stamina, and style in one

Starting at $209 during POCO Carnival, the POCO X7 is a device that won’t slow you down. The Dimensity 7300-Ultra 4nm processor with 5G readiness powers through multitasking, while the CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED curved display and 50MP main camera with OIS deliver clarity at every glance. A 5110mAh battery gives up to 15 hours of continuous use, and IP68 dust and water resistance keeps it ready for any adventure.

If you’re looking for a slick flagship phone that won’t blow your budget, check out POCO Carnival, happening Aug. 13 – 27. In addition to fun games and prizes, you can get way more bang for your buck.

*Pricing is shown in USD, the currency may vary by region. Availability may vary by region. Consumers can visit mi.com with a coupon code POCO7TH or local e-commerce platforms for more details on the discounts and bundles. The discount details, such as amount, usage time, and requirements, may differ. Please check the specific Mi Store for each region.

How to watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge online for free

How to watch the Champions League for free. Watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

TL;DR: Live stream Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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The Champions League group stage looms on the horizon for the remaining sides battling it out in the playoffs. Rangers have already progressed through two tough matchups against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzeň, and it's not getting any easier. Next they face Club Brugge at Ibrox Stadium.

If you want to watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Rangers vs. Club Brugge?

Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Aug. 19. This fixture takes place at Ibrox Stadium.

How to watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free

Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Stream Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Apple iOS 26 Beta 7 arrives: Preview all the new features

The changes are few, but some of them are notable.

Apple has a new iOS beta for developers — iOS 26 beta 7. And if you have an Apple developer account, beta 7 is available now.

While this particular beta comes pretty late in the cycle — it's the seventh developer beta for iOS 26, launched alongside the fourth public iOS 26 beta — it still comes with a couple of notable new features.

Blood Oxygen Measurement

Perhaps most importantly, the new beta (alongside watchOS 26 beta 7), now supports (via 9to5Mac) Apple's blood oxygen measurement in the U.S., a feature that was disabled due to a years-long patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The feature was re-launched in iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 a few days ago, and has now been brought to the new iOS 26 betas, too.

For the feature to work, you must have a n Apple Watch Series 9 or 10, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Toggle Adaptive Power Notifications

Another new feature is the ability to toggle Adaptive Power Notifications. Prior to this beta, you could only set Adaptive Power to on or off, but now you can also choose whether you want to get notified that the phone has made performance adjustments to conserve battery life.

This feature is available in Settings > Battery > Power Mode.

Filter messages by drafts

Finally, if you go to Messages and tap the three-lines icon in the upper right corner, you'll now be able to filter your Messages by Drafts.

That's pretty much it for now as far as new features go, though other undocumented new features may surface as users dig into the release.

Screenshots bug fixed

MacRumors reports that this release also fixed a bug that resulted in screenshots being too dark.

How to install the new beta

As always, keep in mind that this is a developer beta, meaning it should only be installed if you have a backup of you're phone and you're ready to encounter bugs. For instructions on how to try it out, check out Mashable's guide to iOS 26 or head to Apple's beta portal.

TikTok is reinventing 2004 Facebook with new features for college students

TikTok is bringing back a way to verify where you go to college and find peers with similar interests on campus.

The first thing I remember about joining Facebook is my brother telling me it was for college students only. He had gone off to school and was annoyed to see his little brother on the newfangled social media site.

If you know anything about Facebook's history — or, hell, have even seen The Social Network — then you know it launched in 2004 as a social media site focused on connecting college students. At first, it was limited to Harvard, then it went to other colleges. It made Facebook an online Rolodex of sorts for college kids, complete with lists of interests, groups to join, and contact info.

In just a few years, however, Facebook opened up to everyone and everything changed. Now, in 2025, it seems TikTok is trying to recreate some of that '04 Facebook functionality. It announced a new feature on Tuesday morning called Campus Verification, just in time for the new school year. It makes sense, considering a 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that roughly six-in-ten teens say they use TikTok regularly.

In a press release, TikTok called it "a new feature that lets students confirm their enrollment, connect with classmates, and turn TikTok into a hub for real-world connections and belonging on campus." In practice, it'll allow students to add their college to their profile, browse the school's page, filter by graduation year, and see which of their peers are most followed.

It'll be a simpler, easier way to 1.) confirm where you go to school and 2.) find others who attend the same college who may have similar interests. Here's a look at what it looks like, via TikTok.

TikTok is rolling out the feature to 6,000 U.S. universities through a partnership with UNiDAYS, which is a student verification platform. The tool should work pretty simply: All you need to do is click "add school" on your TikTok profile and follow the steps.

Obviously, Campus Verification is not exactly like old-school Facebook, but it does provide a lot of the same utility. Everything that's old comes back around.

DJI drones are still flying off shelves — here’s where to buy online

Where to buy DJI drones online. The DJI Mini 4K drone is available to purchase for $299 on Amazon.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is available to purchase for $299 on Amazon.

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DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone as one of the best-sellers in recent months. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like a drone to the head.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

The good news is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon, listed for $299 right now. This popular drone is being sold by Fly Image Tech at the time of writing. We generally don't recommend third-party sellers, but they have decent reviews and times are tough right now. We'll take what we can get at this point. We're not going to quibble over the details.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has a one-tap takeoff function and a helpful return to home feature. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $300 at Amazon.

CMF Buds 2 earbuds have dropped to their best-ever price at Amazon

As of Aug. 19, the CMF Buds 2 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $39, 34% off their list price of $59.

SAVE $20: As of Aug. 19, the CMF Buds 2 earbuds are on sale for $39 at Amazon. This is 34% off their list price of $59.

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Have you had new earbuds on your shopping list, but don't want to drop a ton of money on a new pair? Thankfully, there are plenty of great budget picks available, but what's even better is when those budget options go on sale. That's the case with the CMF Buds 2 earbuds, which are currently down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The CMF Buds 2 earbuds are usually listed for $59, but right now they're marked down to $39. At their best-ever price, there's truly no better time to pick them up. This discount applies to both the dark grey and light orange earbuds as well, so you can choose which pair you like best.

If you're looking for noise-canceling earbuds to tune out the world around you, the CMF Buds 2 are here to assist. They offer 48dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation so you can stay focused on what you're listening to. They also offer spatial audio, so you can hear the sounds all around you as you listen. On top of that, they can even get up to 55 hours of battery life with the charging case and are IP55 water and dust resistant, so a little rain or intense workout won't be anything to worry about.

This deal on the CMF Buds 2 earbuds is currently listed as a limited-time offer, so act fast to score them at their lowest-ever price. And if you're looking for more great earbud deals, Amazon's also offering an excellent discount at the moment on the AirPods 4, which are back under $100.

Here’s where to preorder Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution ahead of its September release

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution is available to preorder at TCGPlayer, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy before its Sept. 26 release.

Pokémon TCG is closing out Scarlet and Violet with one of its biggest expansions yet. Mega Evolution releases on Sept. 26, 2025, and it’s set to kick off an entirely new block focused on Mega Evolution ex cards. Fans have been waiting for Megas to return for years, and this set finally delivers with new mechanics, new rarities, and some of the flashiest card designs we’ve seen in a long time.

This expansion is stacked with over 180 cards, including 10 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex like Mega Lucario ex, Mega Gardevoir ex, and Mega Venusaur ex. These cards are powerful, but there’s a tradeoff: knock one out and your opponent takes three prize cards. It adds a high-risk, high-reward layer to deck building, and it’s going to shake up how games play out. Collectors also have plenty to chase with new Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, and the debut of Mega Ultra Rare (MUR) gold cards.

With prerelease events starting mid-September and product officially dropping at the end of the month, preorders are already live. The big-box retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are charging near MSRP, while the secondary market on TCGPlayer gives us a real sense of what the community thinks the set is worth. Let’s look at how prices compare across each retailer so you can preorder smart.

Mega Evolution TCGPlayer preorders

TCGPlayer is always worth checking first. It’s the secondary market hub for trading card games and tracks live pricing across singles and sealed products. Since sellers compete directly here, TCGPlayer often ends up being the cheapest option once big-box listings inflate.

• Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box

• Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box — Mega Gardevoir

• Mega Evolution Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box - Mega Gardevoir

• Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box — Mega Lucario

• Mega Evolution Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box - Mega Lucario

• Mega Evolution Booster Bundle

• Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack

• Mega Evolution 3 Pack Blister

• Mega Evolution Build & Battle Box

• Mega Evolution Premium Checklane Blister

• Mega Heroes Mini Tin

Mega Evolution Amazon preorders

Amazon has preorder listings for Mega Evolution, but as usual you may have to pay extra for the convenience. Usually Amazon price their Pokémon TCG preorders at MSRP, but these prices are all but guaranteed to balloon once Mega Evolutions drops. Be savvy, check other retailers (especially TCGPlayer) and remember that Amazon isn't the only competitive online retailer.

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Display Box

• Pokemon TCG Mega Evolutions Elite Trainer Box (one selected at random)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle

• Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin Display (10 Tins)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Battle Deck — Mega Gengar ex/Mega Diancie ex

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Latias ex Box

Mega Evolution Best Buy preorders

Best Buy briefly opened preorders for Mega Evolution, and they sold out fast. That’s been the case with recent expansions, so if you missed out, don’t worry too much. If they restock closer to release, pricing will likely be in line with MSRP. Best Buy is handy for local pickup, but availability can be inconsistent post-release.

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Booster Box

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Heroes Mini Tin

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution 3Pk Booster Bundle

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster

• Pokémon — Trading Card Game: Mega Battle Deck (Mega Gengar ex or Mega Diancie ex)

Mega Evolution Target preorders

Target is offering Mega Evolution products with their cheeky Target Circle Card discount, which knocks 5% off your total buy. That little bit of savings makes Target one of the better big-box choices, but Pokémon TCG stock jumps in and out in a flash, so it's always worth a quick look to see if anything is in stock before trying other retailers.

• Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Booster Display

• Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box — Mega Lucario

• Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box — Mega Gardevoir

• Mega Evolution Booster Bundle

• Mega Evolution Psyduck 3-Pack Blister

• Mega Evolution Golduck 3-Pack Blister

• Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack

Mega Evolutions Walmart preorders

Another solid preorder option to check in on. Nothing has dropped at the time of writing, but it's always worth double checking the listing below if you're struggling to find stock.

• Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Booster Box

• Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box — Mega Lucario or Mega Gardevoir

• Mega Evolution Booster Bundle

• Mega Evolution Blister

The Most Valuable Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia Pokémon Japan cards

Before Mega Evolution arrives in English this September, Japan already got the first taste through its twin expansions Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia. Both launched on Aug. 1 with 63 cards each (not counting secret rares), and together they make up the backbone of the Mega Evolution set. They introduced 10 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, new full art Trainers, and a brand-new rarity tier called Mega Ultra Rare (MUR) that’s already commanding big prices on the secondary market.

For collectors who don’t want to wait until September, sealed boxes and singles from Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia are available now on TCGPlayer. Prices are already spiking for the chase cards, especially Mega Lucario and Mega Gardevoir, which headline the set with stunning gold MUR artwork. Here are the five most valuable pulls from Japan so far:

• Mega Gardevoir ex - 092/063 (Market Value — $479.40)

• Mega Lucario ex - 092/063 (Market Value — $450)

• Lillie's Determination - 091/063 (Market Value — $296.81)

• Mega Gardevoir ex - 087/063 (Market Value — $180)

• Mega Lucario ex - 088/063 (Market Value — $114.67)

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 19, 2025

Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the puzzle.

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

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

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

What is Connections Sports Edition?

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

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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.

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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.

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: Plot twist

• Green: Same grouping

• Blue: Position rivals

• Purple: Fictional characters

Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Unexpected result

• Green: NL West teams

• Blue: NFC North QBs

• Purple: Characters in "Happy Gilmore"

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 #330 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Unexpected result - SHOCK, STUNNER, SURPRISE, UPSET

• NL West teams - ARIZONA, COLORADO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO

• NFC North QBs - GOFF, LOVE, MCCARTHY, WILLIAMS

• Characters in "Happy Gilmore" - CHUBBS, HAPPY, SHOOTER, VIRGINIA

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

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

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 today's Connections.

NYT Strands hints, answers for August 19, 2025

The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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 preferrined pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dash it!

The words are punctuation-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are connected by a dash.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hyphenated.

NYT Strands word list for August 19

• Willy-Nilly

• Hocus-Pocus

• Hyphenated

• Hoity-Toity

• Pell-Mell

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 today's Strands.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 19, 2025

Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1522 on August 19 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.

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

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

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:

Unruly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

ROWDY.

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.

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 today's Wordle.

NYT Pips hints, answers for August 19

The New York Times' latest game, Pips, brings domino fun to your desktop. How to play Pips as well as hints in case you get stuck.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game 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 onto 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 for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles 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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Equal: Everything in these two squares must be the same. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically on the right and 4-2, placed vertically on the left.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Equal (3): Every domino half in this space must contain three pips. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater than (3): The domino half must add up to more than 3 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino halves in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Not equal: The domino halves in this space must be different. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally and 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally and 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must equal 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): The domino halves in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino halves in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 19, 2025

Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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: Chatty Cathy

• Green: Reds and whites

• Blue: A stone

• Purple: Fast-moving

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Quite the talker

• Green: Fortified wines

• Blue: ___ Rock

• Purple: Starting with ways to move quickly

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 #801 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Quite the talker: BLABBERMOUTH, CHATTERBOX, PRATTLER, WINDBAG

• Fortified wines: MARSALA, PORT, SHERRY, VERMOUTH

• ___ Rock: CLASSIC, LITTLE, PLYMOUTH, THE

• Starting with ways to move quickly: DARTMOUTH, DASHBOARD, FLYWHEEL, RUSHMORE

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

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 today's Connections.

Aubrey Plaza opens up about grief on Amy Poehlers podcast

Aubrey Plaza appeared on "A Good Hang with Amy Poehler" and spoke about her grief over the death of her late husband, Jeff Baena.

Aubrey Plaza has spoken about grief following the passing of her late husband Jeff Baena, who died in January of this year, during a podcast appearance with her former Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler.

Appearing on A Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Plaza, who stars in the crime comedy Honey Don't, was asked by the host how she's doing right now.

"Right in this very very present moment I feel happy to be with you," Plaza responds. "I feel...overall I'm here, and I'm functioning, and I feel, you know, I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think, like, I'm OK, but you know, it's like a daily struggle."

The actor goes on to compare her grief with the horror movie The Gorge, which features a giant crevasse filled with monsters.

"That feels like what my grief is like, or what grief could be like," she says. "At all times there's like a giant ocean of, just, awfulness, that's like right there and I can see it, and sometimes I Just want to like dive into it, and just like be in it, and then sometimes I just like look at it, and then sometimes I just like try to get away from it, but it's always there."

Honey Don't opens in theaters Aug. 22.

Get a 4-pack of Apple AirTags for under $75 right now at Amazon

As of Aug. 19, the four-pack of Apple AirTags are on sale for $74.99 at Amazon, 24% off their list price of $99.

SAVE OVER $20: As of Aug. 19, a four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale for $74.99 at Amazon. This is 24% off their list price of $99.

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If you're an Apple user, AirTags are a helpful investment to help keep an eye on everything. If you've had them on your shopping list, the good news is the four-pack of Apple AirTags are currently on sale for under $80 at Amazon. This is your chance to stock up at a discount.

The four-pack of Apple AirTags are usually listed for $99, but right now you can pick them up for $74.99. This marks a 24% discount off their list price, allowing you to save $24.01. If you no longer want to struggle to find your keys, wallet, or other items around the house, now is a great time to grab these.

AirTags only require a simple one-tap setup to connect to your iPhone or iPad, so you can start using them right away without any hassle. They can even be shared with up to five people, so you can loop in friends or roommates to keep an eye on items they're connected to. On top of that, AirTags also have a durable build that's IP67 water and dust resistant.

Now is the time to get the four-pack of Apple AirTags for $74.99. These aren't the only Apple items on sale right now, either. Looking for some new earbuds? The AirPods 4 are back under $100 at Amazon. Or have you been hoping to upgrade your laptop? The 2025 MacBook Air M4 is also on sale at Amazon.

All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

Due to age-verification laws, Pornhub has blocked itself in 21 U.S. states as of August 2025.

UPDATE: Aug. 18, 2025, 1:38 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to add the results of the Supreme Court's ruling on age verification, and additional states Pornhub has blocked since January 2025.

The explicit tube site Pornhub is now blocked in 21 U.S. states.

This is due to age-verification laws. These laws vary state by state, but typically require visitors of a site with over a third of explicit content to submit a government ID or other form of age authentication. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a bill a couple of years ago, and now others have followed suit. In June, the Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for such bills that come before and after.

According to one preliminary study, age verification won't work to keep minors off porn sites. This is because of software like VPNs that allow someone to appear to be in a different location, and because of non-compliant websites. (The Florida attorney general is suing foreign-based porn sites for not instituting age verification.) Yet, these laws keep getting passed — and are encroaching on non-explicit websites as well, experts told Mashable.

While Pornhub is not blocked in Louisiana, it is blocked in these states, a Pornhub representative confirmed to Mashable:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• Montana

• Nebraska

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Virginia

• Wyoming

In Louisiana, where users must submit ID to view Pornhub, the site has seen traffic decline by around 80 percent, Aylo (Pornhub's parent company) told Mashable.

"These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children," Aylo stated when asked for comment by Mashable back in January.

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo continued:

First, to be clear, Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults.

Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws.

Industry experts say that, in addition to not working for their intended purpose, age verification laws also raise concerns about privacy protection and safety since websites now have to host (even more of) people's personal information. It will be harder to be anonymous online, which experts warn is dangerous to free speech. Adult industry experts Mashable spoke to in an explainer on age-verification laws advocated for device-level filters, as did Aylo in its statement.

Some in the adult industry worry about what Trump's second presidential term will bring due to the conservative policy outline Project 2025 and its measures to ban porn. One of Project 2025's authors, Russell Vought, was caught on a secret recording stating that age-verification laws are the "back door" to a broader porn ban.

Score almost $1,000 off the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station at Amazon

As of Aug. 19, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $999.99, 50% off its list price of $1,999.

SAVE ALMOST $1,000: As of Aug. 19, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale for $999.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its list price of $1,999.

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Whether you're planning a camping trip or looking to have a little extra backup power at home, a portable power station is worth investing in. The good news is there are some great deals available on various models right now, including from big brands like Anker. One of the best discounts we've come across recently is over at Amazon, where you can save almost $1,000 on an Anker Solix F2000 portable power station.

Usually this hefty power station is listed for $1,999, but it's currently 50% off at $999.99. It's worth keeping in mind that it's marked as a limited-time deal right now, so if it's been on your radar, now is the time to scoop it up and save.

This portable station is ready to power up a variety of items. Boasting a 2400W output, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station can power up to 12 devices. It includes an exclusive RV port, four AC ports, three USB-C charging ports, two USB-A ports, and two car outlets. It even has a little handle that makes carrying it around nice and easy, which is good news for those heading out into the great outdoors.

This is a limited-time deal, so act fast to save on the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station at Amazon. And if you're looking for a slightly cheaper option to buy, you can also save on the Anker Solix C300 right now at Amazon.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 19, 2025

Answers to each clue for the August 19, 2025 edition of NYT's The Mini crossword puzzle.

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, August 19, 2025:

Across

Animal that falls in love with a tape dispenser, in a classic New Yorker cartoon

• The answer is Snail.

Language written in Devanagari script

• The answer is Hindi.

Singer Presley or Costello

• The answer is Elvis.

George ___, "Middlemarch" author

• The answer is Eliot.

Things "read" by fortune tellers

• The answer is Palms.

Down

Blind followers

• The answer is Sheep.

___ wafers (Nabisco treat)

• The answer is Nilla.

Heavy item falling from the sky in some classic cartoons

• The answer is Anvil.

"In a pickle" or "in a jam"

• The answer is Idiom.

They might end with "etc."

• The answer is Lists.

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

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

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

I cant believe the 2025 MacBook Air M4 is this cheap — get it for its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Find the best MacBook Air deal. Save 17% on the 13-inch 2025 MacBook Air at Amazon.

SAVE $200: As of Aug. 19, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $999 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this model.

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The 2025 MacBook Air is still on sale, and this deal is the best we've seen. As of Aug. 19, you can get the 13-inch MacBook Air for under $1,000, currently priced at just $999. That's its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. The deal applies to all colors, so you can choose between starlight, midnight, silver, and sky blue. This low price is for the 512GB option, but if you need something bigger, every size option is reduced by $200.

This is one of Apple's best-ever MacBooks, and the newest in the Air range. It's powered by Apple's new M4 chip, meaning it's both fast and efficient. If you multi-task or do a lot of video editing, jumping between apps, and working through heavy multiple-tab workloads, this laptop is designed to cope with no lag. It’s also created with Apple Intelligence, Apple's personal AI system that helps you get more work done in less time.

This model also boasts a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that supports 1 billion colors, so you'll enjoy seriously high-quality pictures at all times. Other notable features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, a three-mic setup, and a six-speaker system with Spatial Audio, so you'll always look your best on work calls. And you get 18 hours of battery life, so you can work on the go without a worry.

This MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, a headphone jack, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. And if you like a big work set up, it supports up to two external displays, perfect if you have an Apple Studio Display.

We don't know how long this great MacBook deal will stick around, so get it from Amazon without delay.