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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 11, 2026 Absorb meaning

To take in or soak up a substance or information.

Digest meaning

To break down food or process information.

Process meaning

A series of steps taken to get a specific result.

Take in meaning

To understand or absorb information.

Band meaning

A group of musicians.

Florist meaning

A person or business that sells or arranges flowers.

Photographer meaning

A person who takes professional photos.

Planner meaning

A person who creates strategies or organizes details.

Exercise meaning

A planned physical activity to improve mental and physical health.

Journal meaning

A written record of daily events or thoughts.

Meditate meaning

To focus the mind on silence or concentration.

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Unplug meaning

To disconnect an electronic device from a power source.

Agenda meaning

A plan of action for a meeting or event.

Envelope meaning

A flat paper container used to contain mail or a letter.

Limits meaning

A boundary that's the highest amount allowed.

Luck meaning

Success or failure that happens by chance.

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love your me time.

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

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

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

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

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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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 11, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Wedding helpers

• Green: To soak up

• Blue: Relax and unwind

• Purple: Shove it

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: People hired for an event

• Green: Internalize

• Blue: Ways to practice self-care

• Purple: Things that are pushed metaphorically

Play our Big Guessing Game: Make your predictions now for a chance to win a new Apple Watch. Time's running out!

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 #1186 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• People hired for an event: BAND, FLORIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, PLANNER

• Internalize: ABSORB, DIGEST, PROCESS, TAKE IN

• Ways to practice self-care: EXERCISE, JOURNAL, MEDITATE, UNPLUG

• Things that are pushed metaphorically: AGENDA, ENVELOPE, LIMITS, LUCK

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints describe waterways.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 11, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Harbor view

The words are related to natural.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being near the coast.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is On the Waterfront.

NYT Strands word list for September 11

• Bridge

• Ship

• Barge

• On the Waterfront

• Dock

• Pier

• Lighthouse

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

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a history buff.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 11, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 11, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Star.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

ASTER

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

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

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

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

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

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

California governor Gavin Newsom's signature is now on a slew of new tech laws, including a dozen new state bills that target social media and AI giants.

In addition to strengthening existing child safety laws, the state's latest efforts to regulate products from players like Meta and OpenAI include provisions that could effectively ban social media for children under 16.

SEE ALSO: Avian flu, drone swarms, and mass surveillance included in Anthropic's safety report

The policy move would place California on par with national governments like Australia, which was the first to bar young users from accessing social media. In practice, the law has proven to be difficult to enforce.

The highly anticipated child online safety legislation comes as the industry faces mounting pressure to curb Big Tech's influence on young minds, including social media algorithms, AI chatbots, and educational technologies found in the classrooms.

"Our children’s safety deserves to be at the center of every conversation about technology. As innovation moves faster our protections must keep pace," Newsom said in a press release.

California cracks down on "addictive" social media

The headlining bills, AB 1709 and AB 2, place stronger restrictions on the ways teens can interact with social media. Under AB 1709, social media platforms cannot permit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media with harmful features. The bill specifically singles out "addictive" elements like personalized feeds and video autoplay.

Platforms must confirm users' ages before offering such features, a move that could galvanize calls for stronger age-assurance tools.

With AB 2 on the books, platforms can also be held financially liable for child harm, ranging from $5,000 to $1 million per child.

Child safety nonprofit and bill sponsors Common Sense Media applauded Newsom's decision in a statement to the press. "Today is a huge victory for kids and parents across California," the organization wrote. "The momentum in this fight has shifted, and it shifted here, in the tech companies' home state."

Parents of children who died by suicide following extensive social media and chatbot use have rallied behind the legislation, including Julianna Arnold, executive director of Parents RISE. "We are grateful to Assemblymember Lowenthal not only for listening, but for taking our lived experience seriously and letting it shape the legislation," said Arnold in a statement to the press.

Platforms may lean more heavily on age-gated teen accounts in light of the new regulation. Studies have shown, however, that teens often find ways to defy age restrictions.

"For years, the tech industry has told parents that the answer is to monitor more closely, set more parental controls, and somehow keep up with products that are constantly changing," said Shelby Knox, Director of Online Safety Campaigns at ParentsTogether Action. "But parents cannot parental-control their way out of platform designs engineered to keep kids engaged."

Newsom takes aim at AI companies, backed by AI companies?

AI developers have lobbied California leadership over the last several years in an effort to tamp down its proposed regulation efforts. They have had some success, including Newsom's veto of a similar child online safety bill last year.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appealed directly to Newsom about the new legislation package last week, according to insiders, after industry leaders pushed for an increasingly narrower scope.

But in recent months, more companies have signaled they're less adamantly opposed to child safety laws than they once were, especially as most now face increasingly arduous court battles and steep financial penalties. A Meta official recently alluded to passing the Kids Online Safety Act to avert ongoing litigation. And OpenAI later came out in favor of California's proposed AI legislation.

Amid this debate, Newsom signed into law SB 1179, also known as Adam's Law, which attempts to enforce stronger safety requirements for AI companies. The legislation was named for Adam Raine, a young teen who died by suicide after consulting with ChatGPT. Raine's parents filed the first wrongful death lawsuit against an AI company for alleged harmful chatbot behavior.

Adam's Law requires developers of companion chatbots to conduct and publish annual child safety risk assessments and to submit their products to independent audits. Developers must create crisis response processes for chatbots, as well. Many companies already have safety measures in place, but guardrails have consistently failed to fully prevent chatbot behavior harmful to teens.

"We still have not adjusted to life without Adam, but we are pleased that an element of his legacy is to help make AI chatbots safer for minors," said Raine's parents, Matt and Maria Raine, in a press statement. "We believe the risks of unregulated AI companionship rank right up there with other more discussed AI risks, and we are confident Adam’s Law will save lives and prevent other harms."

Another bill expands the state's definition of "child sexual exploitation" to include "any digitally altered or AI-generated matter that depicts a person under 18 engaged in an act of sexual conduct."

Children's toys with built-in companion chatbots, which have prompted concern from safety advocates, are now prohibited in California under SB 867.

New privacy regulations will add greater restrictions on the use of student data in AI systems deployed in K-12 schools. Some cities are moving to ban AI in K-12 classrooms outright.

SEE ALSO: Is Meta finally backing a federal kids safety bill, or is it all PR? Privacy groups are still concerned about downstream effects

While child safety organizations celebrate a victory in a years-long effort to enact bills like AB 1709, civil society groups remain concerned about their implication on free speech.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation called AB 1709 a "well-intentioned, but deeply flawed piece of legislation," and a "massive privacy and free speech nightmare." Last month, the organization urged Newsom to veto the measure until concerns about censorship were properly addressed.

Instead of focusing on bans, the organization wrote in a Sept. 10 press release, "we should redouble our efforts to get technology laws right — and support the passage of new robust privacy laws that target surveillance business models. That’s how we protect everyone in the AI age."

California's new laws are set to go into effect next year.

The great thing about 3D printers is that they can make almost anything these days. The bad thing about 3D printers is that you can make almost anything with them.

I nearly gave up on wearing my Galaxy Watch altogether after a stretch of missed texts and silent calendar alerts. The culprit turned out to be a setting I'd flipped on to squeeze out more battery life.

Apple has a new flagship smartwatch. The tech giant announced the Apple Watch Series 12 during its Sept. 9 "Surprise and Shine" iPhone event, along with the new Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and the first-ever foldable iPhone Duo.

In a press release, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing Kaiann Drance called the Series 12 "the most advanced health and fitness companion we’ve ever created." You might not know that at a glance because it looks the same as last year's Series 11. To find out what's actually new about the Series 12, you have to peek inside its case.

Here's a full breakdown of the main differences between the Apple Watch Series 12 and Series 11, including one notable upgrade that Apple didn't mention in its keynote presentation. (Spoiler: it has something to do with memory.)

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Pricing The Series 12 has the same $399 base price as the Series 11 (pictured here). Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Now available for preorder, the Series 12 starts at $399 with a 42mm aluminum case — the same price as the base Series 11. However, the 46mm Series 12 starts at $449, which is a $20 bump from the previous generation. There's now a $50 difference separating the two sizes, no matter the case material.

The 42mm and 46mm titanium variants of the Series 12 start at $699 and $749, respectively, just like their Series 11 counterparts.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the new Apple Watches, including the Series 12 and Ultra 4

The Series 12 comes in a third "new" ceramic variant that starts at $899 for the 42mm size and $949 for the 46mm model. (The Series 11 wasn't available with a ceramic case, but the much older Series 2, 3, and 5 all came in that scratch-resistant material.)

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm $399 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 46mm) $449 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Design

The Series 12 has the same external design as the Series 11 — and the Series 10, for that matter. Apple hasn't changed the look of its flagship wearable since that 2024 release, when it got a thinner, lighter case and a more rounded display. (The rumor mill says a proper redesign is coming next year.) Additionally, it's still IP6X dust-resistant and water-resistant for up to 50 meters.

That said, the aluminum Series 12 variants got one small tweak. Their Ceramic Shield 2 glass is more durable than the Ion-X glass on their Series 11 counterparts. Apple said it's "60 percent tougher," to be exact.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Display This is a picture of the Apple Watch Series 11, but it's also kind of a picture of the Series 12. They're virtually identical. Credit: Apple

Both Apple Watches have the same always-on, wide-angle OLED display with up to 2,000 nits of brightness. That's very, very bright.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Colors The Apple Watch Series 12 comes in eight different case material/color combinations. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

The Series 12's case comes in the following case colors:

• Aluminum: Dark bronze, light gold, black, space gray

• Titanium: Radiant gold and natural

• Ceramic: Pearl white and night blue

The Series 11's case came in fewer colorways:

• Aluminum: Rose gold, silver, space gray, and jet black

• Titanium: Natural, gold, and slate

Apple introduced a bunch of new band colors and materials for the Series 12 that would also fit the Series 11, if you want to freshen up one you already own. You can buy them separately starting at $49.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Specs The Series 12's S11 chip has more muscle than the Series 11's S10 chip. Credit: Apple

The Series 11 ran on the S10 chip, while the Series 12 is powered by the newer S11 chip — "Apple’s most powerful wearable chip," the company said. It enables several new features that I'll elaborate on shortly.

Notably, MacRumors reports that the Series 12 has twice as much memory as the Series 11 (4GB versus 2GB). Apple didn't mention that during its iPhone event this week, but the company's Xcode 27 developer tool reportedly shows evidence of it, the tech site said. If true, the Series 12's mostly unchanged prices are quite the feat: RAM costs have skyrocketed in the past year. (That's the reason why Apple raised its MacBook and iPad prices this summer, and probably its logic behind recent iPhone price hikes, too.)

The Series 12 maintains the same storage capacity as the Series 11: 64GB.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Cellular connectivity

Like the Series 11, the Series 12 is available with 5G cellular connectivity. It's still a $100 upgrade on the aluminum variants and a standard feature on the titanium (and now ceramic) versions.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Battery life

The Series 12 and 11 are both rated for up to 24 hours of battery life per charge, which you can extend to 38 hours by putting them in Low Power Mode. However, the Series 12's charging speed got a boost. A quick 15-minute power-up provides up to 12 hours of normal usage, up from eight hours in the Series 11.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Sensors The Series 12's Health Sensing System is only available on one other Apple Watch, that being the new Ultra 4. Credit: Apple

Here's where things start to get more interesting. The Series 12 has a new Health Sensing System with upgraded optical and electrical sensors that measure the user's heart rate continuously and more accurately. You can see the glowing green lights of the optical sensor on the underside of its case.

Apple said this system measures heart rate every five seconds all day long. It also captures heart rate variability (HRV) data, a stress and recovery metric, up to 24 times more often.

Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Series 11: Features Should you skip leg day or power through? Your Series 12 can tell you. Credit: Apple

The Series 12 and 11 both run on watchOS and share the same core health, wellness, and safety features, including Sleep Score, Hypertension and Sleep Apnea Notifications, Cycle Tracking, Fall and Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and the AI-powered Workout Buddy. They'll also both support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, which arrives with the release of watchOS 27 on Sept. 14.

However, the Series 12 brings a few exclusive new features to the table courtesy of its upgraded chip and sensors:

• Readiness, a feature that tells the user how prepared they are (or not) for future fitness activities based on their recent workouts, vitals, and sleep patterns

• Audio Intelligence tools that use its built-in microphone, including Sound Recognition alerts, Live Rewind conversation transcriptions, and Siri Recap conversation summaries

• More accurate step tracking powered by a revamped pedometer model, including a Steps complication (finally!)

Do these small hardware tweaks and new features make the Series 12 worth the upgrade? Stay tuned for Mashable's full review to find out — we just got our hands on a review unit for testing. In the meantime, you can revisit our take on the Series 11.

Top iPhone 18 pre-order deals

• AT&T: Get the iPhone 18 Pro for free with qualifying trade-ins of iPhone 14 or later

• T-Mobile: Get the iPhone 18 Pro for free when you switch or trade-in an eligible phone on an Experience Beyond plan

• Total Wireless: Save $600 on iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max on the All Access plan

• Verizon: Get up to $1,200 off when you add a new line (with qualified trade-in) on eligible myPlan

• Visible: Buy the iPhone with Visible+ Pro and receive $480 through monthly credits

Apple just wrapped its biggest iPhone launch event in years. Today, on Sept. 9, the tech giant hosted its "Surprise and Shine" event, and Mashable will be reporting live from Apple Park all week. At the event, Apple finally unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable iPhone. The event also set the stage for the grand debut of Siri AI. Plus, new CEO John Ternus stepped into the spotlight for the first keynote of the post-Tim Cook era. It's an event that's been years in the making.

Thanks to months of leaks and rumors, we had a fairly good idea of what to expect from the Apple Event, where we learned about the new iPhone 18 Pro lineup, iOS 27, Siri AI, the AirPods 5, the Apple Watch Series 12, and more.

You can re-watch the keynote via the CNET Apple Event livestream. We'll also be sharing real-time updates on all of the day's news, behind-the-scenes videos, and product announcements in this live blog.

Want more tech news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today, and see what our readers guessed would happen at today's Apple event in our Big Guessing Game.

Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday brought the announcement of a new iPhone lineup as expected, plus the first-ever foldable iPhone, but true to the name of the event, Apple had another release ready to go: the AirPods 5.

Apple AirPods 5 $129 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Apple.com Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging $149 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Walmart Pre-order Here at Target

The new earbuds will officially be available on Friday, Sept. 18, but preorders are live as of Sept. 9 at Amazon, Best Buy, Apple, and beyond. The earbuds are available in two models: the AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. Both feature active noise cancellation (a deviation from the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC), and lower price points than the AirPods 4 at $129 and $149, respectively.

What's new with the AirPods 5

The AirPods 5 come with several upgrades, including:

• 50 percent more active noise cancellation power than the AirPods 4 with ANC

• Lower price points, with the AirPods 5 starting at $129 (the same price as the non-ANC AirPods 4) and the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case starting at $149 ($30 less than the AirPods 4 with ANC)

• New multiport acoustic architecture for improved sound quality

• Battery life of up to five hours with ANC and an on-ear volume stem control on the more expensive AirPods 5

What's the difference between the two AirPods 5 models?

Pricing:

• AirPods 5 — $129

• AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case — $149

Both pairs of earbuds come with a new acoustic architecture, better noise cancellation than the AirPods 4, and an improved transparency mode. The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case also offer one more hour of battery life with ANC over the previous generation (for a total of five hours), on-ear volume controls, and, of course, wireless charging with the case.

Though not new features over the previous generation, both of these earbuds also come with live translation features and Conversation Awareness (which automatically adjusts the volume of your audio for easy awareness).

In comparison, the AirPods 4 retail for $129 and $179 for models with and without noise cancellation, meaning the AirPods 5 have notably reduced pricing — a trend that isn't common in the broader tech world, or even within Apple's event.

AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 remain Apple's most premium pair of earbuds, priced at $249. The in-ear design, compared to Apple's open-ear design, also means that the Pro 3 will have more effective ANC and more robust sound quality. That said, the new multiport acoustic architecture on the AirPods 5 was inspired by the design of the AirPods Pro 3.

SEE ALSO: AirPods Pro 3 review: Without a doubt, one of the best products of the year

While both earbuds offer Live Translation, the Pro 3 also have a built-in heart rate monitor which can connect to Apple's Fitness app.

Follow our Apple event live blog to catch up on the latest news and announcements from the "Surprise and Shine" keynote, with live updates from Apple Park.

Putting sensors all over the home and connecting them to Home Assistant is fun, I know, but it isn't for everyone — not yet. Thankfully, there are smart home upgrades that don't require any apps. I may have replaced every light switch in my home with a smart one, but my favorite smart home upgrade doesn't connect to my Homey Pro at all, and it's an improvement my entire family likes as much as I do.

Television’s highest honors will be awarded to several shows at the 2026 Primetime Emmys. HBO led the field with 122 total nominations, including nominations at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, followed by Netflix (111) and Apple TV (89). These three services will be searching for Emmy glory in several of the major categories, including drama series, comedy series, and limited or anthology series.

Two USB-C cables can look identical, cost wildly different amounts, and behave nothing alike. The reason sits inside the connector housing: a chip that talks to your devices before any power moves. It's genuinely useful engineering. It's also a convenient place to hide something nasty.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is available as a one-time $49.97 lifetime license for one Windows PC (reg. $249.99) — no monthly or annual payments involved.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$249.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Not every piece of software needs a subscription. If you use the same Windows PC day in and day out and just want Word, Excel, and the rest of the suite installed and working, a one-time purchase covers that without asking you to keep paying for Office 365. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is $$49.97 (reg. $249.99) and gets you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access on one machine, for good.

The apps themselves cover the basics people actually rely on: spreadsheets, written reports, presentations, and email, built for long-term stability rather than the newest features first. It includes Dark Mode and runs well across a range of Windows hardware, old and new.

What you should know before you buy

Microsoft 365 Personal subscription currently costs $99.99 per year, so a lifetime license pays for itself in about 7 months and keeps paying off each year after that, with no renewal. Ideal for students working on the same laptop through a degree, freelancers dealing with Word or Excel-heavy work, or anyone who’s tired of subscription creep on their monthly statement.

It’s worth noting what you’re not getting: cloud-based extras like 1TB of OneDrive storage, and the license is tied to a single Windows PC rather than floating across devices tied to a Microsoft account. For anyone who mainly works from one desktop or laptop and just wants the core apps installed and stable, that’s a fairly small tradeoff for skipping the subscription altogether.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus as a one-time $49.97 purchase (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Apple and Samsung's premium flagship competition for 2026 can finally kick off in earnest.

At its "Surprise and Shine" event, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro Max, several months after Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 Ultra. These are the two most expensive and feature-packed non-foldable phones that these companies make right now, so we figured we would put together a handy comparison for your sake.

We just started testing the iPhone 18 Pro Max, so there are some necessary limitations to our analysis, but here is our best estimation for how these two flagship smartphones stack up to each other.

SEE ALSO: The Xiaomi 18 Fold is an iPhone Duo lookalike with one huge advantage iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Price

This one's easy: Both the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra have the same starting price of $1,299. Technically, the S26 Ultra costs $1,299.99, but we aren't going to hold 99 cents against Samsung.

In either case, that's a lot of money. But at least there's no clear advantage in this regard between the two devices. You're going to spend a minor fortune to get either of these phones, unless you take advantage of carrier deals from T-Mobile or Verizon.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Design and specs Samsung's phone is lighter and thinner. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's specs are as follows:

• Display: 6.9-inch display with 3120x1440 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256/512GB/1TB

• Battery: 5,000mAh

• Rear cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto, 10MP periscope telephoto

• Front camera: 12MP

And the iPhone 18 Pro Max's go a little something like this:

• Display: 6.9-inch resolution with 2868x1320 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: A20 Pro

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256/512GB/1TB/2TB

• Battery: 5,391 mAh

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto

• Front camera: 18MP

There are some differences to note here, of course. Samsung's phone has a higher-resolution display, but photography isn't all about the megapixels. Apple's A20 Pro processor and the new variable aperture should result in incredible photographs if you know what you're doing, and recently, Apple has also had an edge on video quality.

We'll get to battery and camera differences in a little bit, but as you can see by the numbers, there are some gaps to discuss there, as well. Apple also has a 2TB storage option that Samsung doesn't offer.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's processor delivered virtually flawless performance in our testing earlier this year, whether handling everyday tasks or more advanced AI processing. We haven't gotten significant time with the Pro Max yet, but Apple's history in this regard is very solid. I expect the A20 Pro chip to be just as good or better than the Ultra's Snapdragon processor.

The camera bar hasn't changed at all. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Let's talk design for a second, too. Samsung's phone is substantially lighter, as the S26 Ultra comes in at 214g versus the iPhone 18 Pro Max's weight of 249g. The iPhone is also almost a full millimeter thicker, at 8.75mm against Samsung's 7.9mm of depth. Their other physical dimensions are close enough to be negligible, but there's a real likelihood that the S26 Ultra is a more comfortable phone to hold in the hand for most people.

People also care a lot about colors. Samsung offers six colors for the S26 Ultra: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, and Pink Gold. In the other corner, Apple's choices are more limited: Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. You may very well find one iPhone color you like way more than anything else in the Samsung lineup, as this is a matter of personal taste, but Samsung is objectively offering more choices here.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has two things the iPhone 18 Pro doesn't Privacy Display blacks out a notification on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has one hardware trick you can't find on any other device: Privacy Display. This feature blacks out the screen for anyone trying to peek at it, letting you browse Instagram, or whatever else you find on the internet, in public. It can even black out portions of the screen, such as specific apps or notifications. This feature isn't perfect, but it works pretty well, and you won't find it on any other premium flagship right now.

Finally, don't forget that the S26 Ultra also comes with a built-in stylus. And yet it still weighs less than the iPhone.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: AI features Privacy Display is neat. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Everyone is going all-in on AI for their software suites these days, so let's discuss that.

On Apple's side, the big Siri AI update for iOS still isn't out at the time of publication. It'll launch alongside the new iPhones, so we'll have more to say on that soon. It will turn Siri into a bona fide chatbot and AI app powered by Google Gemini, with complete access to your calendar, contacts, and emails. It can use all of that personal context to perform time-saving, context-sensitive actions for you, at least in theory.

There's also an enhanced Image Playground update to generate more realistic images, along with additional image-editing features, such as the ability to reframe photos. Conveniently, you'll also be able to use text prompts to generate Shortcuts. That could be nice, assuming it works.

But, let's be clear: Apple is definitely playing catch-up in the AI race, and Samsung has a multi-year head-start. Galaxy phones like the S26 Ultra have had sophisticated AI photo editing tools for awhile. Samsung's phone also comes with Gemini, Circle to Search is omnipresent, and the Now Nudge feature.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Battery life

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra had an even 5,000mAh battery cell inside of it, which gave it 31 hours of video playback time in our testing. That's pretty damn good! A battery like that will last you an entire day and then some if you're not using it for any funny business.

We haven't properly tested the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery yet, but it has a bigger cell and Apple rates it for an astounding "up to 45 hours" of video playback. We'll believe it when we see it, but if it's even close to true, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might have one of the best smartphone batteries in existence.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Cameras This is how you test a camera. Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a gigantic 200MP main shooter that, in our testing, produced detailed and vivid photographs. Its zoom capabilities are also impressive, as it doesn't compromise quality very much until you get way up in the 100x zoom range. Nighttime photography is also solid here, if a little too bright and unrealistic-looking at times.

Apple's alternative isn't as impressive in terms of raw megapixel numbers, with a trio of 48MP lenses powering its rear camera array. But iPhone Pro cameras are always some of the best in the business, and Apple has added variable aperture this year for even more versatility in difficult photography conditions. We're looking forward to testing all of that out. At any rate, it would be absolutely shocking if the iPhone 18 Pro Max cameras weren't at least very good. On top of that, we expect the iPhone 18 Pro Max to be a killer for videography as well.

The everlasting question: iOS or Android?

So, which phone should you buy? We'll reserve judgment until we've finished testing the new iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the new iPhone doesn't seem to be a huge upgrade compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

So, barring a huge surprise, we expect the phones to compare very favorably. The right phone for you will come down, as it usually does, whether you prefer Android or iOS.

Top smartphone deals of the week

Apple's event is always a great time to take advantage of discounts on previous-generation iPhones and Android devices.

• Get the iPhone 17 for $0 down at T-Mobile

• Samsung Galaxy S26 FE + $200 Amazon Gift Card — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Google Pixel 11 Pro — $1,019.70 $1,099 (save $79.30)

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — $1,049.99 $1,299.99 (save $250)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 — $1,649.99 $1,899.99 (save $250)

Conventional wisdom says that if something costs money, it's probably better than a free alternative. However, that logic completely falls apart when it comes to software — especially with free and open-source software (FOSS). The space has matured to the point where many free apps don't just compete with their paid counterparts — they beat them outright. Here are my top five picks for legendary open-source software that give their expensive paid alternatives a run for their money.

I've had problems with Android notifications arriving late for years. Usually, it's not a huge deal—if someone needs me urgently, they'll just call instead of texting me.

What do your favorite actors and creators have in common? They both have IMDB credits, despite the latter group likely having no film or TV credits.

On Sept. 9, the Amazon-owned entertainment database introduced "Digital Creator" as a professional category on IMDb and IMDbPro, covering streamers, vloggers, video essayists, gaming creators, and influencers. According to a Variety report, no existing film or television credits are required to establish a digital creator profile.

For creators whose résumés live mostly on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, this means they can now showcase their work in the same database used by actors, producers, and casting directors — without having a traditional entertainment role get them there. Creators have appeared on IMDb for years through eligible projects. MrBeast, for example, has credits that include Prime Video’s Beast Games. The difference now is that creators can establish a profile based on their online careers alone.

IMDb’s updated guidance says Premium members can select up to three professions for their pages. Someone who creates online videos, acts, and produces can represent those roles together.

So, what does that actually do for a creator?

IMDb’s pitch is about making professional connections. "IMDbPro empowers entertainment professionals with tools that help them get discovered, build their reputation, and advance their careers," CEO Nikki Santoro said in a statement.

"Digital creators and their representatives need that same infrastructure, and producers, casting directors, studio executives and brand partners need a reliable way to find them," she said.

For creators, that could mean making it easier for a potential collaborator to understand what they do more quickly. "We’re excited to add a category that bridges that gap and gives creators a discoverable industry profile," Santoro added.

Whether that visibility translates into jobs remains to be seen, but the move fits a much longer conversation about where creators belong in entertainment in the first place.

Digital creators and their representatives need that same infrastructure, and producers, casting directors, studio executives and brand partners need a reliable way to find them. - IMDb CEO Nikki Santoro in a statement

Creators making the jump to Hollywood is hardly new. Issa Rae built an audience with her YouTube series Awkward Black Girl before co-creating HBO’s Insecure. Quinta Brunson went from viral internet sketches to creating and starring in Abbott Elementary, while Bo Burnham started posting musical comedy on YouTube before writing and directing Eighth Grade.

"In just over a decade, content creators have gone from digital outliers to industry power brokers," Mashable’s Crystal Bell wrote in a May 2025 roundup of creators who moved into film and television. Their influence extends beyond landing roles: Creators are also writing, directing and developing their own productions.

That crossover has drawn skepticism, of course. Writing in The Ithacan, columnist Sydney Brumfield argued that influencers’ built-in audiences can give them an advantage over experienced performers. "However fiscally reasonable casting influencers is, it results in fewer, well-deserving actors from being discovered," she wrote.

SEE ALSO: 25 TikTok, YouTube and IG creators who made the leap to TV and film

The catch? You’ll have to pay. Selecting the category requires IMDbPro Premium. Standard individual membership costs $19.99 per month or $149.99 annually in the U.S., before applicable taxes. Opening the category to creators gives IMDb a whole new group of paying subscribers. (Very smart.)

Should you pay for an IMDbPro profile?

Not every creator needs it. Someone actively pursuing representation or production partnerships may have a clearer reason to use the profile. For a creator focused on sponsorships and direct relationships with brands, the value will really depend on whether those partners actually turn to IMDb to find talent.

Under "Digital Creator," users can choose from six sub-professions:

• Streamer

• Vlogger

• Video Essayist

• Video Creator

• Gaming Creator

• Influencer

As creators take on a bigger role in entertainment, it's clear the industry is listening, and trying to find new ways to bring them into the fold. IMDb’s new category is another step in that direction, recognizing careers built online and giving potential collaborators another way to find them. What comes next will determine its value.

One reason that Linux has struggled to gain desktop users is the perception that the Linux desktop is a mess. Apps look too different from each other, and command-line elitists rule the system. The way the Linux desktop is the way it is largely stems from Linux's predecessor, Unix, and some design choices made in the '60s, '70s, and '80s.

As we march toward fall, it's time to start thinking about tidying up the homelab and making it a bit safer and more secure. Today's projects include two programs that help keep an eye on your homelab for you, and one that makes your information way more accessible.