IT General

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

A saying.

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

MAXIM

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A tropical fruit.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 31, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GUAVA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Done to guitar strings.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 31, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

STRUM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

The largest body of water.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 31 Hurdle Word 4 answer

OCEAN

Final Hurdle hint

To fold.

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

CRIMP

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

The moon is inching closer to being half lit, which means we're getting closer to a new moon phase.

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

So, what's happening tonight, July 31?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, July 31, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There's 41% of the moon's surface visible to us on Earth (according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation).

It's day seven of the lunar cycle, and the last moon in July. As we say goodbye to another month, let's see what will be visible to us on the moon tonight.

With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Serenitatis, the Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Fecunditatis, an impact basin also known as the "Sea of Fertility."

With binoculars, you'll also get a glimpse of the Endymion Crater, the Mare Nectaris, and the Posidonius Crater, a lava-filled impact crater that's visible from the fifth to the 19th day of the lunar cycle.

If you have a telescope, position it in the middle right, descending (middle left, ascending if in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Rima Arladaeus, the Apollo 16, and the Rupes Altai, a circular cliff around 298 miles long.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

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.

All Android smartphones come bundled with earphones for you to listen to your favourite music or podcasts immediately, but they're rarely impressive. It's a fact of life. The smart thing to do is purchase a separate pair of headphones or earphones that suit your needs, as long as you know the kind of headphones or earbuds you need.

It's important to think about when you're going to be using your headphones. For starters, do you want to block out background noise while you're on your daily commute? Do you want a pair that are great while you're running or working out at the gym? Or do you just want to relax at home, listening to music through your headphones, perhaps even while you sleep? 

These sort of questions will help you find the best wireless headphones for your Android device. To make it even easier, we've put together a quick guide and rounded up some of the best headphones and earbuds for Android devices.

What is Android?

Perhaps best known as the alternative operating system to Apple’s iOS, the Google-owned Android is an open source platform — that means (unlike Apple) any developers and tech companies can use and build on it. It’s used on many non-Apple phones and tablets, including devices made by Samsung and Google itself. Over 3 billion people actively use Android devices.

What makes a pair of headphones good for Android users?

It stands to reason that headphones made by the likes of Google and Samsung will make headphones that brilliantly sync with Android devices. Generally, look for headphones that have compatibility with Android-specific features, such as Google Fast Pair and Google Assistant. Most decent Bluetooth headphones have access to a voice assistant, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung’s Bixby. You just need to set the headphones to your preferred version — in this case, Google Assistant. Be wary of headphones that only support one voice assistant (some have Alexa built-in). 

What can Google Assistant do?

Once you have Google Assistant set up on your headphones and Android device, it’s seriously helpful. You can ask it to play specific songs — not to mention control all playback features — as well as make calls and send messages, set schedules and alarms, do general searches, and check the news or weather. Some Android devices also support Google's Gemini Live AI chatbot — a step up from Google Assistant. Gemini Live is capable of holding actual, real-time conversations.

What is Google Fast Pair?

This Google-specific feature eliminates the faff of fiddling around with menus to connect Bluetooth devices. Your Android device will use Bluetooth Low Energy and location tech to immediately detect any Bluetooth devices nearby. A window will automatically pop up on your device and ask if you want to connect. Fast Pair devices can also sync with your Google account and offer personalised features.

Are cheap headphones worth the money?

The simple answer is, not usually. If you’re looking to go easy on your wallet, you could just stick with the pair that come with your Android smartphone. This is only really a worthwhile plan if you're prone to losing headphones, because — ultimately — the standard-issue headphones are never that good. If you regularly enjoy music or podcasts, it's definitely worth investing in a more expensive pair that offer more useful features like active noise cancellation or companion apps.

What are the best headphones for Android?

To help you find something that will work for you and your Android device, we have tracked down a selection of your best options. We've done the research, read the online reviews, and have come up with a list of the best headphones for Android users.

These are the best headphones for Android devices in 2025.

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. India (Test 5) for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's something special about a Test series involving India. You always get passionate supporters, big name players, and electric cricket.

Fans of Test cricket will have had India's tour of England circled in their calendars for some time. It doesn't get much bigger than this. With England still leading this incredible series 2-1, the attention now turns to the all-important final Test match at The Oval. And the best thing about this Test match is that anyone can watch for free with a quick and easy hack.

If you want to watch England vs. India (Test 5) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India's tour of England?

India's tour of England consists of five Test matches:

• England vs. India (Test 1) — June 20-24

• England vs. India (Test 2) — July 2-6

• England vs. India (Test 3) — July 10-14

• England vs. India (Test 4) — July 23-27

• England vs. India (Test 5) — July 31 to Aug. 4

The great news for fans is that it's possible to live stream every Test match without spending anything.

How to watch England vs. India (Test 5) for free

England vs. India (Test 5) is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream India's tour of England for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access (like Italy). This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. India (Test 5) 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 a location with access (like Italy)

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Live stream England vs. India (Test 5) for free from anywhere in the world

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 streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream England vs. India (Test 5) before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream England vs. India (Test 5), 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

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

Live stream England vs. India (Test 5) for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 31 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: The beginning

• Green: Number two

• Blue: Last in a trilogy

• Purple: Not first

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: First ___

• Green: Second ___

• Blue: Third ___

• Purple: Last ___

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 #781 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• First ___: AID, LADY, NATIONS, RESPONDER

• Second ___: COMING, FIDDLE, GUESS, NATURE

• Third ___: EYE, PARTY, RAIL, ROCK

• Last ___: LAUGH, RESORT, STRAW, SUPPER

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 July 31

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 July 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 31 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Half-baked

The words are food-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of desserts.

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 Piece of Cake.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 31

• Fruit

• Bundt

• Piece of Cake

• Lava

• Sponge

• Pound

• Cheese

• Funnel

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 July 31 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 July 31, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Ruffle.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

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...

FRILL.

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 July 31

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.

Buying headphones for your kids sounds like a good idea. For starters, you won't have to listen to their terrible YouTube videos for the millionth time. Or their music. Or any other kids' entertainment that's given you an horrendous ear worm lately.

But there's a more important reason to buy your kids some headphones. Your child's ears are super sensitive while they're still developing and it's possible to damage them with sounds of over 85 decibels. Using adult headphones isn't the best idea. Not unless you can convince them to lower the volume, which is harder than it should be. Chances are the little tykes will crank the volume back up when you leave the room.

Instead, you're better off purchasing a pair of headphones designed specifically for children. Kids' headphones will fit better on little heads and usually have a volume limiter to keep the decibels down. But how do you sort one set of kids' headphones from another? We've done some research and put together some helpful info.

Do kids need wired or wireless headphones?

It depends on how much you want to spend, and whether you can recharge headphones on a regular basis. Many of the wireless headphones listed in this roundup have decent battery life, but they are typically more expensive than wired versions. However, if your child is particularly young, wired headphones can be a risk, so always supervise them while they're using their headphones.

What's the maximum noise level for children?

Generally, many auditory health organisations recommend that the ideal noise level for a child is about 70db, and that volumes should never exceed 85db. Most adult headphones peak at about 115db, which is why it's important to use dedicated headphones for your child rather than just giving them yours. And remember that the limit is a limit, not a guide, so they should aim to play music a little quieter.

Can a child use earbuds?

In-ear buds are great for adults, but they're not recommended for children. Developing ears are more sensitive to noise damage because their nerve fibres are still growing. Also, due to having smaller external auditory canals, the eardrum is always closer to the sound source. Their little ears are just too delicate to put at risk.

Is there a limit of headphone use for kids?

Similar to limiting screen time, it's sensible to restrict your child's use of headphones to a maximum of two hours a day. It's all about moderation. Any longer than that can cause damage to your child's ears, even if they are using a volume limiter.

What are the best headphones for kids?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many options out there, but we've tried to give you a clear picture of the best headphones for your kids. We recommend checking out everything on this list, because there really is something for everyone and every budget right here. You know your kids best, so it's really up to you.

These are the best headphones for kids in 2025.

SAVE $50: As of July 30, the 11th-generation Apple iPad (128GB, WiFi) is back under $300. Scoop it up at Amazon for $299 and save 14% or $50.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 11th-generation Apple iPad (128GB, WiFi) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50 Get Deal

It may not be as impressive as the Pro or Air, but the basic iPad is proof that Apple can create solid entry-level tech. Even after its 2025 glow up, it's still the most affordable tablet in Apple's lineup — even defeating the mini.

As of July 30, the already budget-friendly iPad (11th generation) is back down to just $299 at Amazon. That's $50 or 14% in savings from its usual list price of $349. While that's not its lowest price to date, it's still a stellar price point for what you're getting.

The 11th-generation iPad brought us some much-appreciated upgrades, including a processor boost to Apple's A16 chip, the same one found in the latest iPhones. That means switching between apps is smoother, performance is snappier, and load times are more instant. The base model also comes with 128GB of storage, which is effectively double what previous iPad base models packed under the hood.

While it probably won't wow you like the iPad Pro, the basic iPad (11th generation) still does a great job for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, reading, or even doubling as a budget laptop. And at $299, it's the cheapest new iPad you'll find.

Headphone jacks were removed from most smartphones and they're disappearing from other devices fast. However, that doesn't mean you have to stop using your wired headphones, especially if you invested in good ones.

I'm about two years into my switch from Android to iPhone—and I'm not having a good time. While I love my Mac, my iPad, and all my other Apple stuff, I just can't get comfortable with Apple's best-selling product.

Many of your apps have features you're not even aware of. Dropbox, for one, had a neat password manager. We say had, though, because it's now getting killed off.

Nearly every Microsoft Excel workbook I own—especially those I share with others—contains a hidden backend worksheet. It's essentially the engine room of my workbook and helps me keep my spreadsheets organized and functional. Here's why you should have one too.

DJI has been on a roll lately.

The popular consumer drone brand has expanded in recent years to feature more types of products, from gimbal cameras to wireless microphones. Despite the looming threat of a ban on DJI drones in the United States, the company has also been aggressively expanding its footprint this summer. Recently, we've seen the launch of a new power station, a rumored robot vacuum launch, and now the introduction of its Amflow e-bikes to the U.S. market.

Amflow is a DJI subsidiary that makes electronic mountain bikes. They've been available in European markets since 2024, but they've officially launched in the United States. However, they come with a vertigo-inducing price tag. The Amflow PL Carbon is priced at $7,499, and the Amflow PL Carbon Pro is priced at $10,199. You could buy a used car for the same amount.

So, what makes these e-bikes so expensive?

The bikes feature a walk assist mode to prevent rollback going uphill. Credit: DJI Top deals from DJI DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) camera drone $479 (save $70 at Amazon) Get Deal DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station $549 (save $450 at Amazon) Get Deal More about DJI's Amflow mountain bikes

The Amflow mountain bikes both have an 800Wh battery with a range of 157 km. They also feature a touchscreen OLED display to provide real-time data about speed, charge, range, and other information. Users can also access an app to get summaries of their activity and other insights.

The PL Carbon mountain bikes feature a carbon fiber frame for a lightweight construction. They have five assist modes and plenty of torque for tackling steep hills and rough terrain, as well as a walk assist mode for lugging the bikes up trails.

To a non-mountain biker like myself, the specs seem strangely similar. The electric motor and charging system are identical on each bike. The biggest differences are in the rear shocks, rear derailleur, handlebars, and saddle. While the base version uses more alloys, the Pro version features more carbon fiber.

Record your rides with the companion app. Credit: DJI The two-inch OLED touchscreen provides real-time ride data. Credit: DJI SEE ALSO: The DJI Mini 4K drone is selling fast — here’s where to buy yours

While they have a high price tag, the bikes do come with a “30-day unconditional return.”

For more information on the new DJI e-bikes, head to the Amflow website.

If your back hurts in the morning, then you probably remember how you knew a call or text message was coming thanks to a distinctive morse-code-like interference on whatever speakers were nearby. Usually your desktop PC speakers.

If you looked at the Chrome inspection tool without any knowledge of how it works, all you'd see is a bunch of confusing code and panels. You'd probably think it makes more sense to a programmer, and you're right to a degree. But I'm here to tell you how this tool can benefit you, even if you've never written a line of code in your life.

While we all miss the headphone jack, these days Bluetooth and USB headphones are commonplace, so it's not that big a deal. However, it might not occur to you that some devices that have a headphone jack, can also work with USB headphones.

The best streaming deals to watch "The Life of Chuck" at a glance: WATCH NOW Rent or buy "The Life of Chuck" at Prime Video $9.99 or $19.99 Shop Now WATCH NOW Rent or buy "The Life of Chuck" at Fandango at Home $9.99 or $19.99 Get Deal WATCH NOW Rent or buy "The Life of Chuck" at Apple TV $9.99 or $19.99 Get Deal WATCH LATER Hulu annual subscription $99.99 per year (save $19.89) Get Deal WATCH LATER Hulu and Disney+ bundle $10.99 per month (save $8.99 per month) Get Deal WATCH LATER Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save $8 per month) Get Deal WATCH LATER Hulu (with ads) free for select T-Mobile customers (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal

When you hear about a Mike Flanagan and Stephen King collab, you automatically assume it's a horror flick. But The Life of Chuck is far from it.

Part post-apocalyptic thriller, part feel-good coming-of-age drama, and part ghost story, The Life of Chuck is based off a short story of King's and it's quickly become one of our favorite films of the year. Starring Tom Hiddleston as Chuck Krantz and a wonderful ensemble cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill, it weaves a tale of love, loss, and joys in living. It's a real crowd pleaser.

If you didn't catch it in theaters, now's your chance to stream it at home. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch The Life of Chuck.

What is The Life of Chuck about?

Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, The Life of Chuck marks his third Stephen King adaptation following 2017’s Gerald’s Game and 2019’s Doctor Sleep. Based on the King novella of the same name, it begins in a world plagued by catastrophe. School teacher Marty Anderson (Ejiofor) is dealing with an onslaught of bad news, from natural disasters to the internet going down for good. As he's trying to make sense of things, he's distracted by a billboard honoring Charles "Chuck" Krantz (Hiddleston) for "39 great years." Who is this mystery man, and why are these billboards appearing in what seems to be the end of the world as we know it?

The Life of Chuck blends genres in three chapters to explore the life of an average guy, Chuck, and his profound impact on the world.

Check out the full trailer:

Is The Life of Chuck worth watching?

While it didn't get the biggest crowd at the box office, those who did show up for The Life of Chuck loved it. It holds an 81 percent critic rating and 88 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and earned the coveted People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, beating out Oscar winner Anora and nominee Emilia Pérez.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week?

"The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs, to an unknown beyond," Mashable's Kristy Puchko writes. "It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender."

Simply put, it's one of our favorite movies of 2025 so far. Even King himself praised the adaptation, calling it "one of the good ones."

Read our full review of The Life of Chuck.

How to watch The Life of Chuck at home Credit: Neon

The Life of Chuck opened in theaters nationwide on June 13, 2025, after premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. If you missed out, no biggie; it's now officially available to watch at home. You'll have two different ways to watch as of July 29: buy it on digital video-on-demand retailers or rent it from digital video-on-demand retailers. It will also be available to stream at an unknown later date. See the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

The Neon film officially made its at-home debut via video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV on July 29. You can purchase The Life of Chuck for your own digital library or rent it for 30 days. Just keep in mind that with rentals, you'll only have 48 hours to finish watching once you start.

Here are some quick links to buy or rent the film on digital:

• Prime Video — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

Stream it on Hulu

As a Neon film, we expect The Life of Chuck to make its streaming debut on Hulu at a later date. While there's no official word on when that will be, we expect a late fall release in November 2025.

Hulu subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways you can save. We've rounded up the best ongoing Hulu streaming deals below.

The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save $19.89) Get Deal

The best way to cut the price of a Hulu subscription is to opt for an annual plan instead of a monthly plan. By paying for a year upfront for $99.99 (which breaks down to $8.33 per month), you'll save about 16% or just shy of $20. Sure, it's not a ton of money, but every dollar counts.

Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 45% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $10.99 per month (save $8.99 per month) Get Deal

One of the best deals in the streaming world is Disney's bundle plan. You can get both Disney+ and Hulu with ads in the Duo Basic bundle for just $10.99 per month. That's only a dollar more than paying for one streamer on its own, saving you about 45% total. You could also throw HBO Max into the mix for an extra $6 per month. That's $16.99 per month for three different services, which saves you about 44%.

Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student (with ads) $1.99 per month (save $8 per month) Get Deal

College students can save 80% or $8 per month on a Hulu with ads subscription. Sign up through the Hulu Student promotional page and verify your college email address via SheerID, and the price will drop from $9.99 to just $1.99 per month.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) free for select customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

Aside from the free trial, the only way you can get Hulu for free in 2025 is through T-Mobile's Go5G Next and Experience Beyond plans. Better yet, you'll also get Netflix and Apple TV+ for free. If you're already on one of these plans, head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim the offer. You'll just have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details to sign up for Hulu. If you're not on the Go5G Next plan or Experience Beyond plan, make the switch to start taking advantage of the best free streaming lineup around.

Earlier this month, Skechers announced Find My Skechers, a new line of kids' sneakers with a hidden compartment for Apple AirTags. The AirTag is placed in a circular slot below the insole, and Skechers says kids won't be able to feel it.

Some parents already use Apple AirTags to track their kids' location, turning to Amazon to buy AirTag holders you can pin on clothes, to shoelaces, or wear around the wrist. However, I haven't seen a major company launch a product that caters to this trend before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skechers Skechers Find My Sneakers $58
Get Deal

Interestingly, while the Skechers website and an announcement Instagram post say the product is designed to make it easy to locate your kids' shoes, a promo video from the company specifically talks about using the shoes to track your kids. The Find my Skechers website reads, "Each pair is designed with a secure, hidden pocket under the insole that perfectly fits an Apple AirTag, so you can always know where their favorite shoes are." (Emphasis added.)

However, this mobile YouTube video from the Skechers YouTube page is more direct: “Moms and dads, now you can know where your kids are at all times in Skecher's newest Apple AirTag compatible sneakers. It’s genius. There’s a clever, secure, hidden compartment under the insole. Your child can’t feel it, and you can see where your kids are on the Find My app.” (Emphasis added.)

In the video, a cheery actress also says, “Look, we all know Skechers is famous for comfort, and now they’re giving us comfort of mind when it comes to our kids.” However, in the non-mobile version of the ad, the actress reads the same script, except she adds the word "shoes" in lines like "you can see where your kids shoes are." It's a small but significant difference. Mashable reached out to Skechers for clarification, and we'll update this article if the company responds.

Regardless, the new sneakers are available for sale now at the Skechers website in boys' and girls' sizes. The shoes are priced between $52 and $58.

Shoes that track kids' location could be a godsend for parents who are nervous about losing track of their kids in a crowded place, but products like this also raise potential privacy concerns. Apple has taken steps to make AirTags more privacy friendly in recent years.

Products featured in this article: Find My Skechers Sneakers Starting at $52 Get Deal Apple AirTag $25.99 (save $3.01 at Amazon) Get Deal

Anime is a medium, not a genre! That said, within the medium of anime there have arisen several rather unique genres that take on a particular flavor within the medium.