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Without clear norms, communication can become a productivity killer. Messages get ignored, decisions are delayed, and burnout rises. If you want to build a high-performing team, you need to establish shared rules for how, when, and where information flows. Here’s how.  Clarify responsiveness expectations. Teams often misread urgency. Some reply instantly to casual emails; others […]

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UPDATE: Aug. 28, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT We've updated this post with updated links and context following the QC Ultra earbuds preorder going live.

Bose announced back in June that new QuietComfort Ultra earbuds were on the way, and as of today, we're one step closer to seeing them officially hit the market.

As of Aug. 28, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) are for preorder for $299 on Bose's website. They will become available to the public starting on Sept. 10 in the white smoke and black colorways, with the deep plum variant scheduled for availability in October. At $299, they are available for the same exact price that their predecessor was upon release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) $299 at Bose
Pre-order Here What's new with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) earbuds?

Among Mashable's team, we consider the first generation of the QC Ultra earbuds to be the best noise-cancelling earbuds out there. True to their name, we also found them incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time. In fact, the only real complaint we had with them was that they were difficult to remove from their case.

Despite knocking it out of the park the first generation around, Bose is bringing more improvements to these new earbuds. Here's a list of what to expect:

• New AI-noise suppression for improved voice clarity during phone calls (whether using one or two earbuds)

• Wireless case charging

• Improvements in adaptive noise cancellation, with smoother transitions to noise cancellation from Aware Mode when using ActiveSense

• The ability to toggle off touch controls

• Ear tips have guard to prevent wax buildup and make cleaning easier

Compared to the previous generation, the design of the earbuds themselves and their case remains largely unchanged, with the classic stability bands and ear tips. Also staying the same is the six-hour battery life (four hours with Immersive Audio), IPX4 water- and sweat-resistance rating, 20-minute quick charge for up to two hours of use, CustomTune sound calibration tech, and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity.

Is the upgrade worth it?

In our first week of testing, we've found the earbuds to perform very similarly to the previous generation, with some improvements in noise cancellation, sound quality, and more available features like wireless charging. While the changes certainly don't justify an immediate upgrade for first-gen QC Ultra owners, these earbuds might be a nice upgrade for folks who've yet to invest in a pair of premium noise-cancelling earbuds.

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

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

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

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

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

To lead.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

GUIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To frighten.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SCARE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A fun gathering.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PARTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Different.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

OTHER

Final Hurdle hint

A home.

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

HOUSE

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

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

The World Athletics Championships are just around the corner, with the best athletes from all around the world ready to compete for the top prizes. Qualification for the World Championships was particularly fierce this year, which means the Zurich Diamond League Final takes on extra importance.

Winning the final in Zurich secures a spot at the World Championships in Tokyo. That's a huge carrot for top athletes like Josh Hoey and Yared Nuguse.

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

When is the Zurich Diamond League Final?

The 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final takes place on Aug 27-28. This event takes place at the Letzigrund Stadium.

How to watch the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free

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

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

Access BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free with ExpressVPN.

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

We're sure you're already aware, but just in case you've been living under a rock, you should know that more than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Florida. In response to the introduction of these new requirements, Pornhub has restricted access to millions of potential users. A similar situation is now taking place in other parts of the world, with no sign of slowing down.

The reasons for this ban are complicated, but the workaround is not. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Florida, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Florida

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

If you want to retain permanent access to free sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Online courses from Stanford University are available to take for free on edX.

edX is one of the best places to find online courses on a wide range of subjects, including AI, Python, business, and much more. And better yet, these online courses are delivered by famous schools like Stanford University. This is your chance to become a student of Stanford University without spending anything.

We have checked out everything on offer and got you started with a standout selection of online courses from Stanford University. These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis Part 2

• American Prophet: The Inner Life and Global Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Communicating with Presence

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: OLAP and Recursion

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• Designing Your Career

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Mining Massive Datasets

• Nano at Stanford

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• SafetyQuest: Level One - QI Basics

• SafetyQuest: Level Two - Moving Beyond QI Basics

• SafetyQuest: Level Three - Implementing QI

• SafetyQuest: Level Four - Mastering QI

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with Python

• Statistical Learning with R

• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

• Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria

• Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Aging

These free courses do not include certificates of completion or graded assignments/exams, but you can still learn at your own pace. For unlimited access to everything, you'll need to upgrade.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

The moon is becoming brighter and fuller as we work our way through the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 28.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, and 25% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

The moon is finally bright and big enough for us to spot some interesting features on its surface. With no visual aids, look to the top right (bottom left if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also get a glimpse of the Endymion Crater.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Do you like your face to be constantly nestled in a cozy, luxurious beard? Or do you prefer to eradicate every single follicle from your beautiful mug? Maybe you like some facial hair but you want it in a very specific style. However you prefer it, the fact remains: You need the right tools to take care of your facial hair.

It's a case of doing whatever it takes to not look a scraggly mess. If your face isn't looking its best, you're not going to feel your best. That's a rule of manly life.

To get the job done, you need a good beard trimmer. Thankfully, many of the best beard trimmers are very affordable. But what makes a good beard trimmer? And how do you find the best one for you? There are things to consider: Portability, battery life, maintenance, and attachments. Let's break it down with a quick guide.

What are the different types of beard trimmers?

Beard trimmers are mostly alike: Cordless handheld devices that get the job done with a quick flick of a switch. There are some variations on the design, though. Philips and Gillette both offer a trimmer that’s much closer to a regular razor, which may be preferable for gents who like a close shave, or those who just enjoy the feel of a traditional razor. It's specialist features that make the difference — things such as multiple length settings or a built-in vacuum that collects all the beard trimmings.

What are the best beard trimmer accessories?

It’s less a case of which ones are best and more a case of getting what you need. Standard beard trimmer accessories include comb attachments of different grades, usually in increments of 0.5mm, which allow you to maintain beards of all lengths. Other handy accessories are detailing attachments, which are used for shaping, styling, and crafting your beard with sharp, defined cheek and neck lines. There are even attachments for targeting ear, nose, and body hair. Look out for beard trimmers that come with little cleaning brushes and portable carry cases too.

How long does a beard trimmer battery last?

Different beard trimmers pack different levels of power. Bear in mind that more specialist models may have lower runtimes, but a reasonable life for most beard trimmers is 45-60 minutes. Good beard trimmers will have a quick charge feature, which gives you around 15 minutes use from a five-minute charge. Always handy.

How often should you trim your beard?

There’s no exact science, though barbers recommend trimming every three days to keep your beard style precise. That applies to longer beards, of course. For stubble or short beards, a daily run-over with the right comb attachment will do.

What is the best beard trimmer?

Facial hair is something that's very personal, so picking out a beard trimmer is naturally going to be a very personal choice. Choose a trimmer that makes the most sense for your facial hair style, and, most importantly, a trimmer that will ensure you look and feel like your best self. We took these factors into account while searching the internet for the best beard trimmers available right now.

These are the best beard trimmers in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

We're gonna assume that you already own an electric toothbrush. It's pretty much the standard for dental care these days and a must-have bathroom accessory. If you don’t own an electric toothbrush, your toothy-pegs need to get with the times. Because seriously: We're way beyond doing the job of brushing ourselves. We're not cavemen anymore, guys. And there are huge dental health benefits to electric toothbrushes.

Recent studies confirm that electric toothbrushes users have healthier gums and less tooth decay. That's especially true with electric toothbrushes that have “oscillating” heads, which rotate in both directions and sweep away even more plaque.

In addition to all that, electric toothbrushes are seriously advanced in 2025. The best models have multiple cleaning modes, Bluetooth and app control, pressure sensors, and more. All of which makes it harder to upgrade. How can you possibly know which model is best for you and your teeth? To help you out, here’s some information to brush up on electric toothbrush tech, plus a selection of the very best models.

What makes a good electric toothbrush?

We can get really detailed but there are some very basic things to look out for:

• Action — There are different types of toothbrushes that provide different movements, such as oscillating (rotates in one direction and back again), pulsing (moving backwards and forwards against teeth), and rotating (bristles that actually turn).

• Battery life — Thankfully, most electric toothbrushes come with a charging base, though some are powered by regular batteries (that all depends on how fancy the toothbrush is). But still check battery times. A few weeks’ worth of power is good.

• Replacement heads — The head of your toothbrush will need replacing. That’s just a dentist-endorsed fact of life. Some toothbrushes come with a few heads, which is helpful. If not, look out for models that have readily available replacement heads.

Keep these things in mind when shopping around for a new model.

How often should you change your toothbrush head?

General advice is to change every three months, though the more specific rule says when the bristles are worn down. Some brush heads have bristles that change colour to let you know when it’s time to replace the head. While brands like Oral-B and Philips offer lots of different toothbrush models, the heads tend to be one-size-fits-all.

What are the best electric toothbrush features?

As well as the basics, there are lots of more specialised features to consider. Here are some key features that we think are are worth knowing about:

• App connectivity — The most advanced toothbrushes will connect to an app via your smartphone, giving real-time feedback and advice on your brushing. These toothbrushes may also have AI capabilities that adapt to your bushing style.

• Pressure sensor — Pressure sensors will alert you if you’re pressing too hard, which can lead to damage to your gums and tooth enamel. Oral-B includes this feature in its SmartRing, which lights up to warn you if you’re brushing too hard.

• Two-minute timer — Exactly as it sounds, this alerts you when you’ve cleaned for the recommended two minutes. Some timers also pause every 30 seconds, helping you clean each “quadrant” of your mouth equally.

What is the best electric toothbrush?

There's a wide range of quality electric toothbrushes on the market, with models from big names in smart tech and personal care. Everyone's dental needs are different, and everyone's toothbrush needs are different too. All we can do is point you in the direction, helping you to upgrade to a toothbrush that suits you.

These are the best electric toothbrushes for 2025.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 28, 2025

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 August 28, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 28

Equal (4): The domino halves in this space must be 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (17): Everything in this space must add up to 17. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 28

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must be 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (17): Everything in this space must add up to 17. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 28

Equal (1): The domino halves in this purple space must be 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (17): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 17. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (9): Everything in this green space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Greater than (1): Everything in this red space must add up to more than 1. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must add up to less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (0): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, 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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 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: Where one could get caught

• Green: Needed for a hot drink

• Blue: Solid

• Purple: Found on a computer

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Places to get trapped

• Green: Used for tea

• Blue: Associated with hardness

• Purple: Ending with keyboard keys

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 #810 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Places to get trapped: NET, SNARE, TANGLE, WEB

• Used for tea: CUP, KETTLE, TEABAG, WATER

• Associated with hardness: DIAMOND, NAILS, ROCK, STEEL

• Ending with keyboard keys: CANTAB, CYBERSPACE, ICECAPS, MAKESHIFT

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 27, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Do go on...

The words are personality-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to describe chatty people.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Chatterbox.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 27

• Talkative

• Verbose

• Loquacious

• Chatterbox

• Voluble

• Gabby

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.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Cut (in half).

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

SPLIT.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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

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

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

Samsung has been on a roll lately when it comes to hardware events. And the company is not done yet. It has already announced this year's new foldables, but it still has some stuff in the chamber—its newest hardware is coming next week, so get ready.

SAVE $60: The Insignia 32-inch LED Smart Fire TV is once again marked down to $69.99 at Amazon, a steep 46% discount from its retail price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 32-inch LED Smart Fire TV $69.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

We're not sure if we should call this a back-to-school sale, a Labor Day sale, or a really convenient impulse buy for college students. Whatever you call it, this 32-inch Insignia TV with the Fire TV OS is ridiculously affordable right now.

We've seen this TV go on sale for events like Prime Day, and now it's back to its lowest-ever price for the tail-end of the back-to-school shopping season. So, if you still need to outfit your dorm (dorm decorating is so popular it was the subject of a recent thinkpiece in The Atlantic) for the 2025-2026 school year, finish it off with a TV.

Specifically, a smart mini TV. This 32-inch Insignia LED TV is appropriately dorm-sized, and at $69.99, it won't completely wreck your budget.

SEE ALSO: The ultimate back-to-college gear guide: 45+ picks for the new semester

This smart TV comes loaded with the Amazon Fire TV OS, which means you don't need a separate streaming stick to watch Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video. You can simply pop on the TV and start streaming the latest college football games, Love Island, or whatever TV shows will be trending a few months from now. With the included Alexa voice remote, you only need to press a single button.

And if you have a little more room in the budget (and a little more square footage), you can also grab a 40-inch Amazon Fire TV on sale for $179.99, or a Vizio 40-inch HD Smart TV for $138.

Last year, I thought Google’s Pixel 9 was a perfectly fine Android phone saddled with a bunch of AI features that ranged from “sorta neat to try once” to “actively pointless.” I had a similar experience with the Google Pixel 10.

The base model of Google’s latest flagship, to its credit, does offer a couple of much-needed hardware improvements, namely a larger battery and a telephoto zoom lens on the phone’s rear camera array. But for at least the second year in a row, Google has largely focused on AI features.

Google Pixel 10 will do just fine if you’re in need of a solid Android handset that takes nice photos and can give you a full day of use out of a single charge. And if you're excited about new AI smartphone features, this phone has a few notable ones. Beyond that, it's hard to get too excited about new phones in the era of incremental improvements.

Google Pixel 10: Price and specs The display is pretty nice. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

For starters, this is a $799 phone, just like the Pixel 9 was a year ago. In the tariffs era, that's a win in and of itself. Here’s what you get for that price, specs-wise:

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

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• 12GB RAM

• 128GB/256GB storage

• Google Tensor G5 chip

• 4,970mAh battery

While a proper 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate (which you can get on Pixel 10 Pro) would probably help with battery efficiency, the display on offer for Pixel 10 is more than good enough. Its peak brightness is 300 nits higher than last year’s model, and I never found myself wanting for more while using the Pixel 10 in broad daylight. Everything is vivid and clear, making it a good display for both everyday usage and previewing your photos before you take them.

Aside from that, the only other big difference from the Pixel 9 is the larger battery. Pixel 9’s cell was 4,700mAh, for context. More on this later.

Google Pixel 10: Design Google didn't reinvent the wheel this year. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Pixel 10 comes in four colors: Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian. My review unit was the Indigo model, and I think it’s downright gorgeous. It’s no pink iPhone, but it’s closer than any phone in recent memory to looking as good as that, in my opinion. 

Otherwise, you’d be forgiven for looking at a Pixel 10 and thinking it’s just a Pixel 9. Google didn’t go back to the drawing board this year. Pixel 10 still uses the same Cyclops-style (X-Men, not Greek mythology) horizontal camera bar at the top of the phone’s backside. The only immediate visual tell that this phone is any different from the Pixel 9 is the presence of that third camera lens on the back.

I don’t mind this, but it does underscore my overall point that if you’re not really excited about AI features, there isn’t a ton to get hyped about this year.

Google Pixel 10: Performance The Pixel 10 comes in four colors, and I really like one of them. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The Pixel 10 is powered by a new Tensor G5 chip. Spoiler alert: It's fine!

Performance on Pixel 10 is more than adequate. Apps work quickly and smoothly, and more intensive tasks like Gemini or other AI features operate efficiently. I did notice the phone getting a little warm after extended use, but that’s nothing that a good case can’t fix. Sadly, the benchmarking software we use (Geekbench 6) was not available on Pixel 10 at the time of writing, so I can’t offer precise metrics for this initial review.

Still, in my time with the phone, performance has been smooth.

Google Pixel 10: Battery life

Battery life is also solid. Impressive, even.

Google rates the Pixel 10 for more than 30 hours on a charge, which I was not quite able to achieve in my testing. Some important context is that I used the phone’s 120Hz mode in testing, which almost certainly reduced the battery life. Even so, I was still able to go roughly 26 or 27 hours between charges, not counting time spent sleeping. Not bad, Google.

Google Pixel 10: AI features It's all about AI this year. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Pixel 10 expands on the AI toolkit that Google has been building up for the past couple of years, sometimes in ways that feel genuinely useful and transformative, but often in ways that feel superfluous.

Let’s start with the good features. Pixel 10 offers live language translation during phone calls across a variety of commonly spoken global dialects. It happens on-device, and it enables levels of communication that may not have been feasible before. This is the kind of neat thing that AI can and should enable.

I was able to test this in a rudimentary fashion using whatever Spanish I could remember from high school and college. It was able to consistently pick up what I was saying. It does take a second to process what each speaker said, so conversations aren't seamless. Also, unlike other live translation features we've seen, it uses AI to translate what you said using your own voice. It's jarring to hear myself saying things in Spanish I didn't actually say.

I suspect this will be a love-it or hate-it feature. Personally, I would have preferred a generic voice instead, but it moves us closer to real-time universal translation.

Magic Cue in action. Credit: Screenshot: Alex Perry/Google

The other potentially interesting new AI feature is Magic Cue, which is admittedly hard to test because it’s entirely context-dependent. The basic idea here is that if you have personal information stored somewhere in your data, like in a text message, Gmail, or Calendar event, Magic Cue can pull up that information when you need it most. 

For instance, if I had information pertaining to an upcoming flight or hotel stay somewhere in my phone and someone texted me to ask about it, the Pixel 10 would bring up that information in the Messages app, without me needing to actively search for it. I tested this out by making a fake dinner reservation in my Calendar for Domino’s Pizza. When I texted the Pixel 10 from my everyday phone asking about the reservation, lo and behold, a little Calendar app icon appeared in the text window, taking me to that information.

Magic Cue is another example of an AI feature that will definitely save time for folks, even if it's not necessarily saving a ton of time.

My personalized Daily Hub. Credit: Screenshot: Alex Perry/Google

Unfortunately, the rest of the new AI features on Pixel 10 are mediocre, at best. There’s a new Daily Hub widget that collates things like the weather forecast, calendar events, YouTube videos, and news articles into one place. It’s a nice idea, in theory, but the most useful aspects of it (weather and events) have nothing to do with AI and take about 10 seconds to check outside of Daily Hub. I never wanted to tap on any of the news or YouTube recommendations, and the row of personalized Gemini prompts didn't tempt me at all.

For example, the Pixel 10 recommended that I ask Gemini about the Kansas City Royals pitching staff because it knows I’m a Royals fan. When I did, it spit out the same basic stats you'd find on the ESPN app, alongside some simplistic analysis like, “the Royals have a good pitching staff.” As a baseball fan, I don't really find that useful or compelling. If you're newer to the game, I could see it being useful for learning things like what the WHIP stat means (walks and hits per innings pitched, you're welcome), but I can't say it served me in any meaningful way.

Speaking of Gemini, Gemini Live and Circle to Search are back, integrating AI search with the Pixel 10’s camera. That means you can highlight an object in your field of view while talking to Gemini and ask the chatbot questions about said object. I was able to ask Gemini how many calories were in a can of Monster I was drinking, and it told me. That’s neat, I guess, but I could also just, you know, look at the can. That said, I can easily see this working out in certain circumstances, like when you want to identify a plant or a bug.

No edits here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable You can tell it's edited. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Lastly, I’d say the biggest addition to the photo editing suite this year is the ability to generatively edit images with text prompts. I took a picture of a flag during the day and asked the phone to make it sunset instead. I also told it to add a “jolly old man” to a photo of some dogs I took. Did it work? Sure, though the final results were extremely fake-looking. 

I hate this. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

There are, of course, times when this might be useful. If you're inclined to sand out the imperfections in photos for social media, for instance, it's certainly easier to type "remove the pimple" than it is to do all of that yourself. Based on my experiences with this feature, I'd say it's best left to less-creative tasks like that.

Google Pixel 10: How are the cameras? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Google made some fairly significant changes to the rear camera array this year. Here are the overall camera specs:

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

• Front camera: 10.5MP

For reference, the Pixel 9’s wide lens was 50MP and the ultrawide lens was 48MP. That feels like a big downgrade, at least numerically, but it’s not without good reason: There’s now a telephoto zoom lens with 5x optical zoom on the base Pixel model, after years of that being a Pixel Pro exclusive feature.

And wouldn’t you know it, the optical zoom looks pretty nice. 

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable 5x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

I did not have as much luck with digital zoom. Once you get past 5x, the software starts to fill in blanks, leaving some photos looking smudgy and fake. I wasn’t even standing particularly far away from the dogs in the “jolly old man” photo from earlier, but the Dalmatian on the right looks downright grotesque. Even static buildings look a little weird if you go all the way up to 20x.

It looks a little weird, right? Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Aside from that, everything else is basically as it should be. Photos taken with the default lens settings can look pretty gorgeous, especially when you’re shooting the greatest city in the world in the middle of an unbelievably beautiful late-summer day. 

NYC rocks. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight continues to be good at keeping the essence of nighttime intact while illuminating photos so they’re actually, you know, legible. 

This is without Night Sight. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable And with Night Sight turned on. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And portrait shots look as good as ever.

Not much to say here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable If you care about photography, upgrade to the 10 Pro

An important note here: Google's biggest upgrade with the new Pixel line is a Pixel 10 Pro exclusive. I'm talking about the main rear camera on the Pixel 10 Pro, which Google repeatedly called the world's best-ever phone camera during the Made by Google event.

In our testing, the Pixel 10 Pro and its 100x zoom beat out the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it mostly lives up to the hype.

So, if you care about photography above all else, go with the Pixel 10 Pro this year, which starts at $999. The Pixel 10 Pro is a Mashable Choice product; the base Pixel 10 is not.

Is the Google Pixel 10 worth it?

It’s hard for me to recommend anyone sprint to their nearest smartphone distillery to get Pixel 10 because its non-AI changes are largely incremental, and the new AI toolkit failed to impress this AI-skeptical reporter.

But that’s not to say it’s a bad phone, at all. And if you're excited to use its AI features, the Pixel 10 offers good specs at a competitive price. The cameras work well, and having telephoto zoom on a base Pixel is really nice. Performance and battery life are also strong.

I just can’t sit here and tell you that you need this phone, unless you’re several generations behind and can get a nice discount through your carrier or something. That’s less of an indictment of Google than of the incremental upgrade era. These annual smartphone launches are becoming extremely iterative and reliant on features that feel less and less impressive over time.

Offers on the Pixel 10 smartphone Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10 + $100 Amazon Gift Card $799 at Amazon
$899 Save $100 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 $799 at Pixel store
Get $100 Google store credit Get Deal

A good story needs a beginning, middle, and end. However, with TV series that have uncertain futures and are basically open-ended for most of their runs, an ending isn't always on the cards.

SAVE $15: As of Aug. 27, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is just $34.99 at Amazon. That's down from its regular $49.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick 4K $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15 Get Deal

If you’ve been thinking about cutting down on clutter or simply giving your old TV a modern refresh, this little stick might be all you need.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K aims to take the fuss out of setting up your entertainment hub. As of Aug. 27, it’s sitting at $34.99 on Amazon — 30% off its usual $49.99 price.

SEE ALSO: Bring home this 77-inch LG C5 OLED TV for its lowest price yet

Just plug it in and you’re ready to dive into your favourite apps like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ with thousands of channels available — including a healthy mix of free shows, films, and even live TV.

Where it apparently really earns its keep is in picture performance. Supporting 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, Roku says this handy stick will transform everyday viewing into something far sharper and more vibrant. Colours pop, contrast feels deeper, and fine details come through in a way that standard HD simply can’t match.

Streaming also feels smooth and consistent thanks to the long-range WiFi receiver, which keeps playback stable even if your router isn’t in the same room. The design looks compact enough to stay hidden neatly behind your TV, so you won’t lose any HDMI slots, and portability means you can even pack it with you when travelling.

Control-wise, everything appears simplified. The included voice remote handles your TV’s power and volume as well as the Roku itself, so no more juggling multiple remotes just to start a film. You can search, play, or skip ahead hands-free.

At just under $35, this deal makes upgrading your setup almost too easy. For reliable performance, effortless access to apps, and picture quality that feels far above its price tag, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a smart buy while it’s still on sale.

For upgrading the best of your setup for less, also check out our roundup of the best budget TVs in 2025. If you’re after the chance to create a much larger entertainment display, we also have a selection of the best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms.

SAVE $55: As of Aug. 27, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is on sale for $224.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $224.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $55 Get Deal

For mornings with a coffee and evenings on the couch, a good tablet is the perfect partner. And the Amazon Fire Max 11 is about as good as it gets for most users. One of the most advanced in the range, this tablet is just right for both work and play.

And as of Aug. 27, it's discounted at Amazon for just $224.99, saving you $55 on list price. This deal is specific to the 128GB device without lockscreen ads.

SEE ALSO: Slash almost $1,500 off the Anker Solix F3000 portable power station with 400W solar panel at Amazon

The screen boasts an impressive 2000x1200 resolution and a vivid display with over 2.4 million pixels, so if you want a tablet where every game, movie, or design pops with color, you're covered with the Fire Max 11. It's also certified for low blue light, so it's easy on the eyes, especially if you're looking at the screen for long periods of time.

You can add optional accessories to this tablet so you can adapt it to what you need. Accessories like a keyboard case and stylus pen can be purchased separately, and you can even download Microsoft 365 for all your work or study needs. The battery lasts up to 14 hours, perfect for on the go streaming or browsing. And with storage expandable to 1TB, it’s got plenty of room for all your favorite apps, e-books, and photos.

This deal is stamped as limited-time only at Amazon, so don't miss out.

TL;DR: Kick it old school with the Kinhank Super Console, packed with retro games and on sale now for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping until Sept. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal

Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Imagine playing the retro games you loved — without having to blow in a cartridge to get them to work. That’s what the Kinhank Super Console makes possible, combining games from vintage consoles like Atari, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation into one easy-to-use device.

Right now, you can bring the Kinhank Super Console home for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99), with free shipping through Sept. 7.

This multi-tasking console lets you game and stream for hours

For less than $100, you can turn your living room into your favorite arcade from yesteryear. Play some Pac-Man or show off your Street Fighter skills — this console is packed with thousands of games you know and love from Atari, PlayStation, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and more. And the best part? You don’t have to keep up with a single cartridge or disc.

If you’re a serious gamer who gets through thousands of games, there are even more 3D games you can download for free. And once you’re done gaming, the Kinhank Super Console doubles as a streaming device, so you can switch gears and relax with shows on Netflix, Disney+, and more of your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price

Curious how it works? You can connect the Kinhank Super Console to your TV, computer, laptop, or even a projector. You’ll receive two controllers, with the option to add more of your own Bluetooth controllers, too. It also includes a 256GB game card, a 4GB TF card, a USB receiver, a power adapter, an HD cable, and a remote.

Get ready for game night with the Kinhank Super Console, now just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) until Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.