Blogroll

Google Account Storage fills fast by design—here's why and how to fix it

How-To Geek - 58 min 37 sec ago

I love the simplicity and automation of my Google Account storage and how I can save valuable photos, videos, screenshots, PC/device files, and my Android phone data with little effort, but I don't like how easily and quickly it fills up, especially with default settings. I was frustrated, so I decided to take control of what Google syncs to regain valuable space. Google Account storage has definitely changed over the last decade, like Google Photos' Image Saver media becoming part of your storage space (June 1, 2021) and Drive separating from Photos (July 2019) because it was "supposedly" confusing to consumers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thin devices are finally worth the hype—and it took an eReader to prove it

How-To Geek - 1 hour 28 min ago

When I first saw the crazy thing iPhone Air and Galaxy Edge, I wasn't interested. I had never cared when companies boasted about how many millimeters they had shaved off a device. Now I feel differently, and it wasn't Apple or Samsung who changed my mind— it was Boox.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How AI child sexual abuse material is colliding with free speech protections

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago

Dr. Mary Anne Franks gets why people may be upset by a recent court ruling on possessing AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

The decision, issued in late August by a federal appeals court panel, found that the First Amendment protects the possession of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, in the home if it was created using artificial intelligence and does not depict an actual child.

"A lot of people have quite understandable intuitions about how wrong this sounds, or how it sounds like there's something radical going on here," said Franks, the Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Civil Rights at the George Washington University Law School.

SEE ALSO: Grok CSAM lawsuit expands as more step forward

Instead, Franks said the panel adhered to Supreme Court decisions issued decades ago, before AI could render hyper-realistic images of fake people and fake images of real people.

"I do think it's a really straightforward reading of prior precedent, but I also understand why it's really upsetting to hear," Franks told Mashable.

But that's not the end of the story. The judges made clear their discomfort with the conclusion by signaling to the Supreme Court that it might reconsider the precedent. Franks called the move "unusual."

"[G]iven the significant advances in computer-generated image technology, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, we would benefit from additional guidance from the Supreme Court regarding the intersection between the First Amendment and virtual CSAM if an appropriate case should arise," wrote Judges John Z. Lee and Joshua P. Kolar.

What is the AI CSAM case really about?

The three-judge panel, which is part of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, considered the facts of a federal case against Steven Anderegg, a software engineer who used generative AI tools to create "hyper-realistic" CSAM.

Not only did he allegedly produce, distribute, and possess the material, but he also sent it to a minor via Instagram direct messages in Oct. 2023. Meta, Instagram's parent company, detected and reported the image and reported it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline.

A law enforcement investigation subsequently led to Anderegg's arrest. He was charged with multiple crimes, including knowingly possessing "at least one visual depiction that depicted a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and was obscene."

Anderegg moved to dismiss the possession charge, arguing that conviction for possession of CSAM would violate his First Amendment rights as defined by past Supreme Court decisions. A district court agreed. Prosecutors appealed that decision, landing the case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, which ultimately dropped the possession charge.

Anderegg still faces charges for producing and distributing CSAM.

Why is this kind of CSAM protected by the First Amendment?

A combination of past Supreme Court cases led to the dropping of Anderegg's CSAM possession charge, Franks explained.

Namely, in 1969, the Supreme Court ruled in Stanley v. Georgia that individuals have a right to possess obscenity in their own home.

By 1990, however, the Supreme Court carved out an exception when it addressed the possession of "child pornography" in Osborne v. Ohio. The decision recognized that, possession of CSAM, even if viewed only in the home, serves both as a permanent record of a child's abuse and as a potential lure for other victims. Prohibiting possession of this material could help decrease the demand and production of CSAM, the justices reasoned. 

Then, in 2002, the Supreme Court considered a federal law provision that prohibited the possession of virtual CSAM. The ban was broadly written to include any visual depiction or computer-generated image that appeared to be of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The court struck down the provision and effectively declared that entirely computer-generated CSAM is protected by the First Amendment.

The Court did not address another provision of the federal law that banned "morphed" CSAM, or computer-generated CSAM created using images of real children.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit judges who recently relied on the 2002 ruling to decide Anderegg's appeal acknowledged the difficulty of doing so.

"Given the relentless advancement in artificial intelligence models, we have some concerns about the lines these cases draw, but we are not free to redraw them ourselves," Judge John Z. Lee wrote in his opinion.

What happens next with AI CSAM

The government has not yet appealed the 7th Circuit's decision, but Franks said it has the option to do so. In that scenario, the Supreme Court would consider taking up the case in the October term.

Franks said the conclusion that fully virtual CSAM is protected by the First Amendment could be successfully challenged. In particular, the government could argue that AI models have indeed been trained on CSAM imagery.

As a result, even if a particular AI-generated CSAM image doesn't depict a real child, it may have been produced using an image of a real child being victimized.

Franks does believe that prohibitions of virtual CSAM must be very narrowly and carefully defined to avoid "weaponization by moralistic crusaders with anti-LGBTQ+, misogynist, and/or anti-sexual education agendas."

The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, for example, argues that porn should be outlawed and those who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Project 2025 links porn to "the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children."

Still, Franks said the risks of AI CSAM are real and present, not hypothetical possibilities.

In her opinion, AI CSAM normalizes the sexualization of children by adults and by other children, undermining their bodily autonomy, self-esteem, and flourishing.

"The question we should be asking is what possible benefit AI CSAM provides that justifies such harms," Franks said.

If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It’s usually $60 to get a BJ’s club card, but now it’s only $15

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago

TL;DR: A BJ’s 1-year Club Card Membership is now only $15 (reg. $60).

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-Year BJ's Club Membership with BJ's Easy Renewal® $15
$60 Save $45   Get Deal

Buying in bulk is one of the simplest ways to spend less on the stuff your family runs through every week. Warehouse clubs like BJ’s let you grab groceries, household staples, and a whole lot more in one trip, so you save both money and time. Right now, a BJ’s Club Card Membership is on sale for just $15 (normally $60).

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a place to shop for family essentials, including fresh foods, produce, deli items, household staples, and more. BJ’s members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, but that’s not the only reason to shop there. You can also look out for new clothes, seasonal décor, toys, tech, and furniture.

Tank running low? Fill up on your way out, and don’t forget you could get extra savings through the BJ’s Fuel Saver Program when you buy eligible products in the club. That’s a whole lot easier than making one more stop on top of all your other errands.

You don’t have to shop in-store to use the membership. BJ’s has an app that lets you shop online and choose curbside pickup or same-day delivery when it’s available in your area. You can also add digital coupons directly to your membership card, so the discount applies automatically at checkout.

This deal is for new members only and gives you a code you can redeem directly on BJ's.com to create your membership. Your membership comes with auto-renewal enabled, but you can switch it off in your account settings if you want to control when you re-up.

Try a new way to shop. Get a one-year BJ’s Club Card Membership for $15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eharmony app reviews: Subscribers share whether it’s worth it

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago

For a dating site that launched at the dawn of the new millennium, eharmony has remained relevant, largely by focusing on a more substantive, personality-based approach to online matchmaking. Of course, it's still far from perfect. While users consistently appreciate the depth of its matchmaking algorithm, they also have numerous complaints about the cost of the service and the proliferation of fake profiles, especially since artificial intelligence became widely available. 

Opens in a new window Credit: eharmony eharmony   Learn More

Here's what real eharmony users had to say about the site, from the best features to the worst experiences: 

Pro: The screening process weeds out unserious daters

If you're looking for substance in your dating life, one of the first challenges can be filtering out the seemingly overwhelming number of people who are in it for short-term fun. But eharmony largely bypasses that problem, first by its reputation (it began as a Christian dating site!) and next by its rather involved signup process, which includes filling out their proprietary compatibility questionnaire. 

Reddit reviewers consistently lauded this focus on substance in the screening process ("it forces you to focus on depth over pure visuals") and found the compatibility scores, assigned based on your answers to the personality quiz you take when you sign up, to be a useful way of evaluating matches before starting a conversation. 

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Here's a story from one older gentleman: "My mindset was that I really needed to be fully honest in my answers, because why would I pay for a service and not be honest? After a few days, I got my matches. A day later, I got a nice message from a woman 10 years younger than me. We exchanged some messages, and then I looked at our match score after she prompted me about it. We were 126 out of 140. I decided to go with it because she and I were really vibing on each other. A year later we got engaged and will marry next year."

For reference, a compatibility score of 126 on eharmony is incredibly rare. As one Redditor responded, "When I was on there, I never had greater than 105 with any match." 

Con: Expensive membership fees

A recurring complaint about eharmony was the cost of a premium membership, which is non-negotiable if you want to get the most out of the site (you can't even see photos without upgrading!). There are three premium membership tiers (Light, Plus, and Unlimited), with pricing varying somewhat by your location, but you should expect to pay at least $15 per month for a membership, which makes it more expensive than a standard Netflix membership and in line with some of the cheaper gym memberships you can get. 

Users consistently complained not only about the price but also about the cancellation process: "I’ve tried eHarmony and found it way too expensive for what it offers, and to top it [off], the process of cancellation is so complicated," said one Reddit reviewer. Other users were outraged by the automatic membership renewals or the difficulty of canceling a subscription, even within 12 hours of signing up

On the other hand, eharmony regularly offers steep discounts of up to 50 percent off its membership price, so if you time your signup right, you can enjoy substantial savings. 

Pro: eharmony caters to older daters

It isn't necessarily by design, but it's also glaringly obvious that different age demographics tend to gravitate towards different dating sites or apps, which becomes very apparent if you've ever used Tinder as a middle-aged adult. Older daters, divorced daters, and anyone looking for a more mature partner should definitely give eharmony a try (we named it the "gold standard" for daters over 40 for a reason!)

Here's a typical experience from an older male dater: "45 yo divorced guy here. I signed up with eHarmony and Bumble 2 months ago based on recommendations from co-workers. I've had much better luck with eHarmony than Bumble. My highest compatibility ratings are in the 110 to 116 range, and these comprise about 33 percent of my daily feed. The other 33 percent are in the 100 to 105 rating scale, and the final 33 percent are in the 89 to 99 rating scale. [...] In contrast, I have connected with zero women in Bumble Premium after 2 months."

Con: Proliferation of fake profiles

In the age of agentic AI and cheaply produced fake photos and videos, all dating sites are having a hard time distinguishing between real and fake members, but eharmony users were particularly concerned with the number of fake dating profiles they would have to sift through before finding a real human being to engage. 

In fact, one of the top-rated posts on the /r/eharmony subreddit in the last year decries, "The fake profile problem has got noticeably worse," complaining that of the 14 likes their account received, 11 came from obviously fake accounts. 

How big a con is this, really? For older daters unaccustomed to filtering out fake profiles and obviously enhanced photos, it can be a pain in the butt, but if you're even remotely internet-savvy, you shouldn't have too much trouble distinguishing real from unreal users, and we guarantee you'll encounter this problem, to some degree, on almost every dating platform currently in use. And because eharmony is so restrictive of free members, it's a problem you can largely side-step if you upgrade your account and only interact with other paying members. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im watching the Italian GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Italian GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Italian GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

In the early stages of this F1 season, it looked like Mercedes were going to race away from the competition. Ferrari briefly showed signs of pace, but McLaren has now emerged as the real rival. Norris and Piastri have been climbing the standings in recent weeks, and they'll expect to be fighting for spots on the podium at Monza this weekend.

Kimi Antonelli still tops the standings, but he'll be well aware that Norris is on the verge of winning his third straight GP. Can anyone stop the defending champion?

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Italian GP?

The Italian GP is the 13th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Autodromo Nazionale Monza:

  • Practice 1 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 4

  • Practice 2 — 10-11 a.m. ET on Sept. 4

  • Practice 3 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 5

  • Qualifying — 10-11 a.m. ET on Sept. 5

  • Race — 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 6

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Italian GP for free

Amazon Prime delivers fast shipping, Prime Day discounts, and access to the Prime Video library. For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video comes in clutch this season. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you full access to select races for free, including this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after 7 days, but you can disable automatic renewal in your settings and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

Of course, if you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is questionable. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this hack, you still have a few workarounds:

  • Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

  • Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

  • Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Labor Day mattress and bedding sales are live: We found the best deals at Purple, Naturepedic, Saatva, and more

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago
Best Labor Day mattress deals at a glance: Best mattress deal Saatva Classic Mattress $1,579 (save $650) Get Deal Best pillow deal Casper Sleep Essential 2-Pack $78.20 (save $29.80) Get Deal

Sleep is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. It sounds like a simple thing: get into bed, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep. Unfortunately, many of us face a wide range of issues that prevent us from getting restorative sleep. A huge contributor to poor sleep is an old or uncomfortable mattress.

Even beds that come with a lifetime warranty aren't meant to last forever. If your current bed is sagging or you wake up with aches and pains that weren't there the night before, it's probably time for a new mattress. While you're at it, it's smart to refresh the bedding. A supportive pillow and breathable sheets can make a world of difference when it comes to bedtime comfort.

SEE ALSO: Hatch introduces new Sleep Clock, an alarm clock that tracks your sleep

Labor Day mattress and bedding sales are already live, and some take hundreds off bedroom essentials like mattresses, bed frames, and sheets. Check out some of our favorite Labor Day sleep deals below. And if what's keeping you awake is a snoring partner, check the Mashable guide to the best sleep earbuds.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Saatva Classic Mattress $1,579 at Saatva
$2,229 Save $650   Get Deal Why we like it

There's no doubt that Saatva's award-winning mattresses are comfortable. But better yet, they're extremely customizable. On Saatva's mattresses, you have a choice of mattress height (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) and firmness level (plush soft, luxury firm, or firm).

All of Saatva's mattresses are on sale over Labor Day weekend. A queen-sized Saatva mattress usually runs you $2,229, but right now you can save $650 and grab it for just $1,579. That's over 28% off, some very sweet savings heading into the weekend.

More mattress dealsBest bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Casper Casper Sleep Essential 2-Pack $78.20 at Amazon
$108 Save $29.80   Get Deal Why we like it

What good does a new mattress do you without new pillows? If you need to reset where you rest your head every night, scoop up a two-pack of Casper pillows. The down-alternative pillows have a medium-soft feel and are hypoallergenic.

Normally $108, the Casper Sleep Essential pillows are down to $78.20. That saves you $29.80 on the set for 28% in savings.

More bedding deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals on Ryobi cordless tools in Home Depots Labor Day sale — shop deals for under $50

Mashable - 2 hours 58 min ago
The best Ryobi Labor Day deals from Home Depot: Best beginner deal Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Screwdriver Kit with Compact Battery and Charger $49.97 (save $108.97) Get Deal Best angle grinder deal Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder with 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $99 (save $149) Get Deal Best multi-tool deal Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool with 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $99 (save $149) Get Deal Best circular saw deal Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with ONE+ 18V 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $139 (save $129) Get Deal

There's a version of every home project where you end up making three trips to the hardware store because you're missing one specific tool. Home Depot's Labor Day sale is a good chance to close that gap for good — it's taking up to 69% off Ryobi's 18-volt cordless tools, and since Ryobi's batteries are compatible with over 300 different tools, getting one today means you're already set up for future buys.

We rounded up the best deals from the sale below, from a circular saw that can handle your bigger cuts to a driver kit that covers everything else on your list.

Best beginner deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Screwdriver Kit with Compact Battery and Charger $49.97 at Home Depot
$158.94 Save $108.97   Get Deal Why we like it

Every DIY kit needs a reliable driver, and the Ryobi 18V ONE+ 1/4-inch Hex Screwdriver Kit covers the basics: driving screws, drilling holes, hanging shelves, or fixing a fence. It's lightweight, making it easy to handle for smaller jobs, and its design reduces hand fatigue during overhead or tight-space work, while an onboard LED worklight illuminates dark work areas. Swapping bits is also effortless thanks to the 1/4-inch keyless quick-connect collet.

Best angle grinder deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder with 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $99 at Home Depot
$248 Save $149   Get Deal Why we like it

An angle grinder isn't the flashiest tool, but it's the one you reach for when you need to cut or shape metal, or just nip off the end of a screw that's poking through where it shouldn't. The Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP 4-1/2-inch Angle Grinder can make up to 210 cuts on a single charge, so you're not stopping mid-project to recharge, and comes with an 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery.

Its smart brushless motor keeps the tool cool so it lasts longer, while an updated design lets you make flat cuts easily against surfaces. With a comfortable grip, quick tool-free guard adjustments, and a battery that works across hundreds of other Ryobi tools, it’s built to handle tough DIY projects with total ease.

Best multi-tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool with 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $99 at Home Depot
$248 Save $149   Get Deal Why we like it

The Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V cordless oscillating multi-tool with 4.0 Ah high-performance battery does a little bit of everything: cutting wood, PVC, metal, or drywall, plus sanding and polishing depending on which attachment you swap in. It comes with a plunge-cut blade, a flush-cut blade, and a sanding attachment right out of the box, and you can adjust the speed depending on what you're working on, useful for anything from rough cuts to more delicate jobs like refinishing furniture.

Best circular saw deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with ONE+ 18V 4.0 Ah High Performance Battery $139 at Home Depot
$268 Save $129   Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't have a table saw, the ONE+ HP 18V Cordless 7-1/4-inch circular saw is basically your stand-in for one. It handles long, straight cuts through materials like plywood and two-by-fours, which covers a lot of ground for woodworking or repair projects. It also has an attachment port for a shop vac or dust collection system, so you're not left cleaning up sawdust for the rest of your weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Valencia vs. Barcelona online for free

Mashable - 3 hours 58 min ago

TL;DR: Watch Valencia vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

La Liga has started with Barcelona and Real Madrid dominating the standings. What's new?

It's the biggest rivalry in Spanish football, by some margin. We know it's only early days, but it's already shaping up to be a pretty epic battle between Spain's biggest clubs. Can Barcelona continue to top the standings after the fourth round of fixtures? They'll need to overcome Valencia at the Mestalla.

If you're interested in watching Valencia vs. Barcelona in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Valencia vs. Barcelona?

Valencia vs. Barcelona in La Liga kicks off at 10:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Mestalla.

How to watch Valencia vs. Barcelona for free

Valencia vs. Barcelona in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Valencia vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Valencia vs. Barcelona for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit CazéTV

  5. Watch Valencia vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Valencia vs. Barcelona without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Valencia vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 58 min ago

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A Bostonian hockey player.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BRUIN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To cause.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BEGET

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To swindle.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 6, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GRIFT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Come together.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

UNITE

Final Hurdle hint

Allocate.

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

ALLOT

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Everton vs. Manchester United online for free

Mashable - 7 hours 58 min ago

TL;DR: Watch Everton vs. Manchester United in the Premier League for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It doesn't really matter whether Manchester United are the best or worst team in the Premier League. Either way, they are going to get a lot of eyes on them. That's just the way it goes for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Manchester United started this campaign with a shock defeat to Hull City, but bounced back with a home win over Ipswich Town. Now they face a tricky matchup with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. David Moyes's team are unbeaten after two games.

If you're interested in watching Everton vs. Manchester United in the Premier League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Everton vs. Manchester United?

Everton vs. Manchester United in the Premier League kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

How to watch Everton vs. Manchester United for free

Everton vs. Manchester United in the Premier League is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Everton vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Everton vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit CazéTV

  5. Watch Everton vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Everton vs. Manchester United without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Premier League?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Everton vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 2 min ago

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you're a fan of the Houston Texans.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Defense

  • Green: Meet the Joneses

  • Blue: Houston football players

  • Purple: Sounds like an NFL player

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Defend

  • Green: Joneses

  • Blue: Houston Texans

  • Purple: NFL QBs with the First Letter Changed

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 #713 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Defend: BLANKET, COVER, GUARD, SHIELD

  • Joneses: DANIEL, DEACON, JONQUEL, MAC

  • Houston Texans: DELL, MARKS, STINGLEY, STROUD

  • NFL QBs with the First Letter Changed: CART, COVER, DODGERS, THOUGH

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 8 min ago

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 6, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 6, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 6 Pips

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 6 Pips

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 6 Pips

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 6-2, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 6, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 58 min ago

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 6, 2026 Card slot meaning

A port in a computer meant for a memory card.

Headphone jack meaning

A port in a tech device that allows for a listening device to connect.

Optical drive meaning

A slot in a computer meant for CDs.

USB port meaning

A slot in a tech device that allows data to be transferred.

Blank check meaning

Giving someone freedom to take action.

Carte blanche meaning

Complete authority to make a decision.

Free reign meaning

Unrestricted liberty or control.

Full authority meaning

Having complete power to make decisions.

Court scribe meaning

A person responsible for recording legal proceedings.

Director's cut meaning

Restored video content including deleted scenes.

Pizza slice meaning

Piece of a pie.

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

SAT score meaning

A college-entry test score.

ATM machine meaning

A device that dispenses cash.

LCD display meaning

A flat screen technology used in digital devices.

PIN number meaning

A secret code used to verify one's identity.

UPC code meaning

The scannable barcode on a retail item.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 58 min ago

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a computer geek.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 6, 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: All-access

  • Green: PC slots

  • Blue: Shortened

  • Purple: Dig in

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Unrestricted permission

  • Green: Places to insert something on a computer

  • Blue: Abbreviations followed by redundant word

  • Purple: Ending with ways to carve a surface

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 #1178 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Unrestricted permission: BLANK CHECK, CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIGN, FULL AUTHORITY

  • Places to insert something on a computer: CARD SLOT, HEADPHONE JACK, OPTICAL DRIVE, USB PORT

  • Abbreviations followed by redundant word: ATM MACHINE, LCD DISPLAY, PIN NUMBER, UPC CODE

  • Ending with ways to carve a surface: COURT SCRIBE, DIRECTOR'S CUT, PIZZA SLICE, SAT SCORE

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 58 min ago

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're just right.

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 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I've seen better

The words are related to mediocrity.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being ordinary.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Nothing Special.

NYT Strands word list for September 6
  • Adequate

  • Alright

  • Okay

  • Nothing Special

  • Mediocre

  • Average

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 6, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 58 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to stay neutral.

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 6, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tan.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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

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...

BEIGE

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 open-source virtual desktop tools that make Windows’s built-in feature look outdated

How-To Geek - 11 hours 58 min ago

Windows 11 has a robust virtual desktop feature, but it is rather basic. It probably doesn't help that Microsoft only built its own virtual desktop solution long after Linux and macOS had shown us what they could do.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android's built-in features finally replaced these 4 apps I've been using for years

How-To Geek - 12 hours 28 min ago

We’ve all come across those “must-have apps for Android” lists somewhere. But this article is a little different. Instead of telling you which apps you need to download, I’m telling you which ones you can finally delete. Android has matured a lot over time, and features that once required a separate app are now built right into your phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't buy a used Raspberry Pi until you understand these 4 "gotchas"

How-To Geek - 12 hours 58 min ago

Memory price hikes have pushed new Raspberry Pi prices up across the board and the secondhand market has started looking more appealing than it has in years.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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