IT General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: Gibberish

• Green: To surge

• Blue: Famous double agents

• Purple: Felines

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: Nonsense

• Green: Increase with "Up"

• Blue: Fictional spies

• Purple: Cat___

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 #820 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Nonsense: BALONEY, BULL, BUNK, RUBBISH

• Increase with "Up": CRANK, HIKE, JACK, RAISE

• Fictional spies: ARCHER, HUNT, PEEL, POWERS

• Cat___: FISH, NAP, TAIL, WALK

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 September 2, 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 today'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 September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: One for the Trekkies

The words are part of associated with a popualr film series.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words Sci-Fi terms.

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 Starships.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 8

• Titan

• Enterprise

• Starships

• Voyager

• Discovery

• Intrepid

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

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

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

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 hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The sound a bird makes.

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 C.

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...

CHIRP

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 September 2, 2025

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

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

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

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is just a day away, but that doesn't mean the rumors will stop coming.

The latest report by leaker ShrimpApplePro (via MacRumors) claims to reveal the exact battery capacities for all of the new iPhones, reportedly lifted from Chinese regulatory documents.

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Besides the actual capacities, another interesting tidbit from the leak is the quite different capacities for variants of iPhone with and without a SIM card slot (which takes up some of the space inside the phone, thereby theoretically reducing available space for the battery).

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 is days away: Will it come with a price increase?

The figures are as follows:

• iPhone 17 Pro: 3,988mAh with a SIM card slot, 4,252mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,823mAh with a SIM card slot, 5,088mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17 Air: 3,036mAh with a SIM card slot, 3,149mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17: 3,692mAh (just one figure is listed for this model, and it's unclear whether that's for the version with or without the SIM card slot)

If accurate, the figures are interesting, as they confirm earlier rumors that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the first iPhone ever with a battery over 5,000mAh capacity. Also, the iPhone 17 Air's battery appears to be quite puny, even when compared to the iPhone 17's battery. We'll see if Apple can offset that by using its own C1 modem in the iPhone 17 Air, which is another rumor we've heard about the upcoming device.

For more Apple event coverage, follow Mashable's live blog and get real-time updates on the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 launch.

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This lowest-ever price only applies to the black pair of Soundcore Space A40 earbuds, which have dropped to $44.58. This marks a 44% discount from their original price of $79.99. However, other colors of these earbuds are also on sale right now with prices close to this, so you can explore different options if the black pair don't catch your eye.

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This limited-time deal might not last long. Save 44% on Soundcore Space A40 earbuds at Amazon today. If you're looking for even more earbud deals right now (and don't mind spending a bit more), Amazon's also offering an excellent discount on the AirPods Pro 2.

How do you encapsulate the life of work of John Candy in a single film? The Canadian comedian, who first thrilled TV audiences on SCTV, made a slew of deeply hilarious and heartfelt movies like Splash, Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Cool Runnings. He was a comedy titan beloved on and offscreen.

John Candy: I Like Me attempts to explore both through a cavalcade of clips from Candy's movies and TV appearances, as well as interviews with his family and famous friends like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Mel Brooks, Macaulay Culkin, and Tom Hanks. Notably, this documentary is directed by Hanks' son, Colin Hanks (and produced by the very famous Canadian movie star Ryan Reynolds). Yet for all the star power and the presumably personal connection Hanks has to the subject, John Candy: I Like Me lacks depth.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2025 preview: 20 films you'll want to see for yourself (and how)

Sure, you get Candy's story. But Colin Hanks, who previously helmed the doc Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends), has little vision here. So, the movie feels a pale reflection of the man who inspired it. 

Still, John Candy: I Like Me might be a must-see for comedy fans.

Candy's death in 1994, at the age of 43, sent shockwaves through Canada and beyond. He was a comedy legend, adored not only for all the laughs he brought us, but also because of the incredible heart he brought to the screen. Speaking for myself, watching Candy made me feel safe.

Whether he was squaring off against an intensely inquisitive Culkin in Uncle Buck, eating an obscenely large steak in The Great Outdoors, or hollering at the Jamaican bobsled team in Cool Runnings, his comedy created a space of comfort and joy. I was a kid when he died, and I remember weeping because I felt like I knew him. I felt like he was mine. That was a gift Candy gave to his audiences. He seemed an open book, and we were ready to read it all.

John Candy: I Like Me shows the pain hidden behind this jovial persona, much of it to do with the comedian's unprocessed grief over the death of his father, who died on Candy's fifth birthday. His widow Rosemary Hobor, his children Christopher and Jennifer, and his closest friends speak to how this early loss reverberated throughout Candy's life. But Hanks isn't able to create a flowing thread of this struggle with grief and joy. Instead, the director presents the film in segments that jump back and forth in Candy's life. While informative, this haphazard structure and stiff approach lacks the energy of Candy himself.

Still, comedy fans who want to know more about this giant in the genre will want to see what is offered. But they should manage their expectations.

Colin Hanks lacks focus in John Candy: I Like Me. 

There's plenty of interesting information in this documentary. SCTV alum like Levy, Short, O'Hara, and Dave Thomas happily recount Candy's early days in comedy, a time when he was nicknamed "Johnny Toronto" because of his bravado. Thomas in particular recounts a story about how Candy rented a stretch limo to posture as a big shot, even when he couldn't pay his bills. Murray shares another tale about the comically expensive home decor Candy accidentally committed to in his salad days. These anecdotes are wonderful, enlightening, and reveal a side to Candy his audiences didn't get to see. Sadly, they are too few and far between. 

Too often, the film becomes a barrage of people saying the same general niceties, without giving specific stories. Beyond feeling redundant, this approach also creates the sense of a mournful eulogy. This maudlin attitude is kicked off in the film's start, with footage from Candy's funeral and Aykroyd's actual eulogy playing as solemn voiceover. It's a staunch reminder that all that follows will lead to an early, tragic demise. A pall is cast over the pile-on of compliments. And it left me wishing Hanks had dug deeper. 

For instance, many folks say that Candy sought to make every on-set experience good for everyone involved, cast and crew. Why not share some specifics? Find a crew member who decades later can recount a time Candy connected with them? It's not that I don't believe the claims of these co-stars and colleagues. But too often, Hanks rests on these vague reflections instead of probing to storytelling.

John Candy: I Like More works best when Candy is front and center.

The most revealing moments of the documentary end up being archival interviews where Candy speaks for himself. Insensitive reporters ask him fatphobic questions about his weight, and you can see the sting in his eyes. Candy's wife then shares insight that his doctors urged him to lose weight, but Hollywood agents suggested if he did, it'd hurt his career. 

That's an intriguing area: how show business held up and hurt this star. But Hanks only brushes on it, pivoting back to Candy's paternal grief and coping mechanisms of overeating, drinking, and smoking. Rather than create a complex tapestry of the comedian, these segments feel strangely patchwork, stitched together clumsily. Then, Hanks — as suggested by the title — refers to Candy's movies for a summation of his legacy.

Quoting Del Griffith, the character Candy memorably played in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, "I like me" suggests Candy was comfortable in his own skin, when much of the movie suggests he carried great pain and fear his whole life. That is not a tragedy. That is not something to be glossed over. Because Candy didn't let that pain make him a cynic. Instead, he used it as fuel to make the world laugh, to ease our pain, to feel a fatherly warmth he himself lost at such an early age. That's incredibly brave, inspiring, and human in the best way. But this doc loses that amid its flurry of half-baked segments.

Hanks has great elements in John Candy: I Like Me. But how he pulls them together lacks showmanship, elegance, and a personal connection. If I didn't know going in who the director was, I'd assume it was someone who never knew Candy, because the film has that tiresome veneer of fawning that often happens when a director idealizes their subject. The impact of such a lens is that it flattens not only the lows of a subject's life, but also its highs. The contrast is lost amid the eagerness to keep things admirable. (Props again to Robbie Williams with Better Man, who literally allowed himself to be made a dancing ape to better communicate his wild rise and falls.) 

In the end, I value learning more about Candy's life, welcoming a greater context to his onscreen persona and even his signature chuckle. But walking away from John Candy: I Like Me, I couldn't help but wish for more.

John Candy: I Like Me was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary will debut on Prime Video on Oct. 10.

John Oliver has taken aim at everything from Donald Trump's meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin to Trump's friendship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein recently, but in Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight he explored a different kind of relationship: the financial stranglehold Trump's administration is currently putting on higher education establishments like Harvard University in an attempt to get them to agree to a list of demands.

In the video above Oliver gives a summary of what's happened so far, from Trump accusing Ivy League colleges of antisemitism and "radical left indoctrination" to a number of colleges caving in to the president's demands in order to have their research grants restored.

"They want to turn back a clock that quite honestly had taken way too long to move forward, and restore the role of academia to being a training ground for those looking to uphold old systems of power instead of questioning them. And look, you can have problems with academia. You can think it's too cloistered or too liberal, you can think it's becoming too expensive or that its resources are misallocated, but the notion of the state suddenly executing a sweeping takeover of higher education to this degree is chilling," says Oliver.

"And if this administration's actions have taught us one thing so far, it's that no capitulation will be enough, and they will never stop demanding more. So given that, I'd argue that to the extent they can, these institutions need to stop yielding, stand firm, and fight back."

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Cooler weather is breezing in, and that means spending a little more time inside. If you're hoping to invest in extra cleaning help to keep your house feeling fresh this fall, a robot vacuum is worth a look. Thankfully, a few great deals are available right now, including this discount on the Eufy L60 robot vacuum at Amazon.

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SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2025: Don't buy one before considering these features

From dust to dirt to clumps of hair, the Eufy L60 boasts 5,000 Pa of suction to scoop it all up. Its Self-Empty Station even features Hair Detangling technology that can help keep the brush free of any tangles. And speaking of the Self-Empty Station, it can go up to 60 days before its 2.5 litre dust bag needs replacing, so you don't even have to worry about it for a couple of months.

The Eufy L60 also features iPath Laser Navigation which utilizes Lidar technology to create a map of your home that helps it get the most efficient clean as it moves around.

Now's your chance to score the Eufy L60 robot vacuum at Amazon for 50% off its list price before the discount is gone for good. And if you're curious to see even more robot vacuum options, check out our breakdown of the best robot vacuums to see our top picks, whether you want something quiet or budget-friendly.

Ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sydney Sweeney's turn in Christy earned press for the reportedly incredible physical transformation she took on for the role: 30 pounds and a brunette wig. This suggested the Euphoria star was wilfully pushing away from her bombshell persona to stretch in her latest, the David Michôd-directed biopic, where she plays brash boxer Christy Martin. But Sweeney's range doesn't reach where Christy needs her to go.

Yes, some critics are cheering Sweeney's performance as the best of her career, and it certainly plays to the sweet spot of Oscar. Like Nicole Kidman in The Hours or Christian Bale in basically every movie he does, Sweeney has a physical transformation that rejects the Hollywood ideal. Plus, she plays a literal fighter, like Oscar-winner Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) or Robert De Niro in Raging Bull. But Sweeney does not have the screen presence or intensity of either, and Christy suffers for it. However, the film on its own is beleaguered with problems. 

Christy is a mixed-up melodrama about American boxer Christy Martin (née Salters) aka The Cold Miner's Daughter. 

In the 1980s, Martin began a boxing career that would lead to groundbreaking moments like becoming the first woman that boxing promoter Don King ever signed, and the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. However, Christy is less interested in Martin's accomplishments and more in the agony she suffered behind the scenes. Her pain came less from the punches she took in the ring, and more from her homophobic mother's ruthless intolerance and the domestic violence delivered at the hands of her abusive husband.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2025 preview: 20 films you'll want to see for yourself (and how)

In the first act, Christy is established as a butch lesbian, whose relationship with her "friend" Rosie (Jess Gabor) has offended her mother Joyce (Merritt Wever). While Wever is a terrific actor who brings emotional weight to every line here, the archetypal role of unaccepting mom is so doggedly one-note that it's flat-out comical. The screenplay by Mirrah Foulkes, Katherine Fugate, and Michôd makes this mother so consistently horrific that she feels like a parody, plucked from actual comedies like Walk Hard or the more restrained TIFF offering Maddie's Secret. In Christy, Joyce exists purely to say hateful things to her daughter. While Michôd aims for seriousness, all of Wever's dialogue basically boils down to campy proclamations like: Christy, why do you have to be so lesbian and break my heart?

When it comes to the marriage of Christy to Jim Martin, her trainer and abuser for decades, Michôd's approach is also confounding. Ben Foster plays Jim, wearing a hairy fat suit and a comb-over wig that just gets more aggressively ugly as the years pass by. Their marriage has many of the red flags of an abusive relationship (and a slew of Lifetime movies), including Jim's recurring promise that if she were to leave him, he'd kill her. The contrast between Christy being a fighter in the ring but assaulted in her own home is the film's central focus, with her queer repression taking a backseat until the third act. Within this abuse storyline, Foster's chewing scenery (and his lower lip) and Sweeney is out of her depth.

Sydney Sweeney is not an Oscar contender in Christy. 

Don't buy into the hype. This movie is a mess, and Sweeney is a contributor to that, not its highlights. For one thing, she uses Martin's West Virginia background as an excuse to slap on a thick Southern accent that comes and goes. For another, while her look is different in Christy, it doesn't read "athlete," as she lacks tone and physicality. 

With all the personal melodrama, the actual boxing gets lost in Christy. Sweeney can't throw a convincing punch, so Christy's knockouts don't hit like those in the Rocky movies, the Creed movies, or even Girlfight, which used white frames to suggest contact of the boxing gloves to powerful effect. Michôd's boxing scenes lack punch in choreography and execution. However, the director shows a much more deft hand at recreating the violence happening at home.

Featured Video For You Sydney Sweeney on finding a church that would let them film 'Immaculate'

A pivotal sequence late in the film finally clicks into a tone that feels consistent with Michôd's work in the acclaimed Animal Kingdom. Perhaps because true crime is his comfort zone? Abruptly, the details of movement and dialogue become sharply specific, with Christy having a short phone conversation unlike the rest of her dialogue, and slipping into a pair of sneakers before acknowledging her scowling husband. What follows is gripping and horrifying, as the actors deliver the kind of re-enactment that briefly elevates this floundering melodrama to something scarier and more real.

Yet, it's unnerving to me that the strongest sequence in this movie, the one that feels most like this is why Michôd, Sweeney, and Foster made it, is one where the heroine is savagely attacked. Why is that the part they seem most determined to get right? And yet — while this is Christy's most powerful scene, it's not its best bit. That's all Katy O'Brian. 

Katy O'Brian is Christy's blessing and curse. 

The Love Lies Bleeding actor has been stealing scenes in big Hollywood movies like Twisters and Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning. And in Christy, she effortlessly shows up Sweeney, playing the eponymous boxer's professional adversary Lisa Holewyne. Let's be clear: Katy O'Brian should be a big damn star. 

In Christy's bid to be rich and famous, she didn't just fight in the ring, but talked smack about her opponents outside of it. So it goes in this industry. But in the film, the focus of this promotional persona is Christy leaning into a femme look — floral dresses, pink boxing shorts — and wielding slurs at her peers. Lisa bears the brunt of these comments, yet becomes an unlikely ally to Christy in the film's final act. This is good news for audiences, because O'Brian has the kind of star power this movie needs.

Her stature, muscles, and carriage are all more in line with what audiences expect of an athlete onscreen: confident, sturdy, and strong. Sure, Martin's real look was softer than some of her opponents. But in any sequence that pits Sweeney and O'Brian in competition, be it boxing or jogging while training, the later's ease in these spaces makes the headliner's lack thereof stand out all the more. Beyond the physical, in appearance and performance, O'Brian delivers an alertness in every scene that dazzles, while Sweeney just does not. O'Brian is alive in every moment, even when she's second banana. It came to the point where I became infuriated that she wasn't the lead of this movie, resemblance to the real Martin be damned! 

Despite the premiere buzz, Christy is not the Oscar contender that Sweeney, who also produced the film, seems to have swung for. Its script is a mess, creating clumsy archetypes and hitting on Lifetime movie cliches with no self-awareness. Its ensemble cast, while committed, cannot agree on a common tone. For instance, Chad L. Coleman, who pops up as a flashy and fun Don King, brings laughs and much-needed energy to the movie, but also ends up further muddying what this even is. Michôd has no grace in the tonal shifts, and so Christy is more confusing than moving.

Michôd seems most riveted by the criminal violence than any other aspect of Martin's story. So even what this film has to say about being a woman in sports, or a lesbian in America, or a person at all, is perplexing. In the end, Christy doesn't hit hard. It just blows.

Christy was reviewed out of the World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will release in theaters on Nov. 7.

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Cozy season is upon us, so it's time to bring out the snacks, dust off the Twilight DVDs, and hunker down for a season of movie marathons and seasonal rewatches. And while you're at it, why not upgrade your TV so you can enjoy all these things in high quality?

And there couldn't be a better time, because as of Sept. 8, the Amazon Fire TV 4 Series (50-inch) is on sale at Amazon for $289.99, a 28% saving on the list price.

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If you want to watch your favorite shows in great quality, this is the TV for you. It has 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, and you’ll get stunning clarity, vibrant colors, and rich detail that brings your favorite shows and movies to life.

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The Fire TV can also connect with your smart home Alexa devices, including doorbells, lightbulbs, and speakers. For example, pair up your TV with your Echo speakers to create an immersive home theater atmosphere for your next movie night. Plus, there are four HDMI inputs to connect gaming devices, sound accessories, cables, and other equipment seamlessly.

Get this limited-time deal before it runs out.

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Fall is a great time to pick up a new TV. Not only to watch the latest drops on streamers or to enjoy the start of a new football season, but because you can usually find some great discounts on various models, whether in sale events or as standalone offers. Best Buy's Deal of the Day is spotlighting a TV deal right now on the 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV that's certainly worth a look.

The 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV is normally listed for $1,999.99, but it's marked down to $1,299.99 right now. That makes for $700 in savings. However, being part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day program means this offer only lasts through the rest of today, so you're on the clock to grab it at this price before it goes back up.

SEE ALSO: TCL's version of The Frame is 50% off for Labor Day — get the 65-inch NXTVISION TV for under $1,000

What makes The Frame stand out from other TVs is the fact that it doubles as a display for art pieces alongside being a high-quality TV. When not in use, you can show off some of your favorite pieces or even your own photos. And when you use it as a TV, you're in for a treat with its QLED display and 4K resolution that make what you're watching look crystal clear and colorful.

The Frame even features a matte display that limits glare so no matter if you're watching a show or enjoying art you've put on display, light won't get in the way.

Again, this deal only lasts through the rest of today, so if you've been hoping to get your hands on a Frame TV, now's your chance to save $700 on the 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV in Best Buy's Deal of the Day. Alternatively, if you're looking for a slightly smaller option, you can also score a great deal right now on the Samsung 55-inch QLED Q8F 4K Smart TV at Amazon.

TL;DR: Get a powerful laptop for under $100 with this Acer 11.6-inch Chromebook 311, now just $99.99 (reg. $199.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer 11.6-Inch Chromebook 311 2019 (Refurbished) $99.99
$199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

In need of a laptop but working with more of a tablet budget? That’s no problem for this Acer Chromebook. This device lets you enjoy super smooth performance and a sharp 11.6-inch HD display, all for just $99.99 (reg. $199.99) while supplies last.

This Acer Chromebook can handle your daily tasks for just $100

This Acer Chromebook is an ideal laptop for those who just want to get things done. It was made with speed, portability, and simplicity in mind — so it can tag along anywhere and help you tackle your to-do list efficiently.

An 11.6-inch screen offers sharp visuals and a clear 1366 x 768 resolution, so you can answer work emails or take a break and stream a show. Need to multitask? That’s no problem, thanks to the MediaTek MT8183 processor with 4GB of RAM, which lets you browse and stream away.

SEE ALSO: Score the ASUS TUF Gaming F16 laptop at its best-ever price on Amazon

The 32GB eMMC storage provides convenient space for essential files.. And it’s equipped with the user-friendly Chrome operating system, so you can take advantage of your favorite Google apps easily and enjoy cloud access.

This Acer Chromebook offers 10 hours of battery life to get you through the day on just one charge, and a fast boot time of 8 seconds so you don’t waste any of it powering on and off. If you need to connect accessories, there are two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a microSD slot.

You’re scoring a bargain on this device due to its grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing.

Tackle your daily to-do list with this Acer 11.6-inch Chromebook 311, now just $99.99 (reg. $199.99).

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TL;DR: Watch what you want without borders with this lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN, now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

Opens in a new window Credit: Getflix Getflix Smart DNS & VPN: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$149 Save $99.01 Get Deal

We’ve all been there — cozy and ready to binge-watch a show, only to be shut out by geographical restrictions. Whether it’s a buzzy new reality show overseas or an exotic version of your favorite show stateside, trying to access shows online can be frustrating. That’s where Getflix comes in, offering a convenient way to unlock entertainment for a lifetime.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN can be yours for just $49.99 (reg. $149).

Take control of your digital entertainment with Getflix

Imagine watching Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or another beloved streaming service from anywhere in the world. You can feel this true digital freedom with some help from Getflix Smart DNS and VPN. This handy tool gives you access to all the entertainment online with just a few clicks.

Getflix is way more than your typical VPN; it also has a Domain Name System (DNS) that can reroute only connections of interest to overseas service, so you can otherwise browse the internet totally normally. And you’ll still get the added perks of a VPN, so you’ll be browsing the web securely and privately thanks to a network SSL secured with 256-bit encryption.

This handy service is universally compatible, allowing you to use it on a smartphone, PC, Mac, or even a smart TV. There’s nothing to install, and you can be up and running in seconds. And this lifetime subscription means you can take advantage of unlimited digital entertainment forever, while only paying once.

Stay entertained without restrictions forever with this lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN, now only $49.99 (reg. $149).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $60: As of Sept. 8, this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is on sale for $489.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 11% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $489.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $60 Get Deal

The Kindle Scribe has enjoyed almost cult status since its release in 2022. Reading and writing combined in a handy e-reader? What could be better? And as of Sept. 8, you can get a great deal on the Essentials Bundle at Amazon.

This Scribe bundle is currently priced at just $489.99 (for the 64GB model), down from $549.99. The deal comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so there is no need to charge it.

SEE ALSO: Is color really worth $250? Reviewing the Kindle Colorsoft.

This bundle also comes with a 9W power adapter and a plant-based leather folio to store it away. You can choose between tungsten and metallic jade colors for the folio and pen.

Other than its famed note-taking abilities, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare-free and ink-free. So, like the original Kindle, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or harsh lighting. And if you're someone who reads on the go, the Scribe has the best battery life of any model, promising to last months on a single charge.

Get this deal now and start tackling your TBR list.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 8, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are back on sale at Amazon, and you can save $50 right now. As of Sept. 8, they are $50 off at Amazon, now priced at $199.95.

These are a perfect option for sports and workouts of all intensities. The secure fit ear hook is perfect for running, Pilates, strength sessions, and more. They've even had 1,500 hours of athlete testing to make sure they're fully up to scratch.

SEE ALSO: This bright yellow 11-inch Apple iPad with A16 chip is $50 off on Amazon right now

But something that really stands out here is the heart rate monitoring. Yes, you read that right, and no, you're not reading about a smartwatch. The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature real-time heart rate monitoring, using sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to track your heart rate during workouts.

They also benefit from Active Noise Cancelling to block out distractions, but there’s also a Transparency mode when you need to stay aware of your surroundings. And they give you up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case, and the charging case is now 33% smaller than the previous version and supports wireless Qi charging.

Powered by Apple's H2 chip, you'll find they are incredibly efficient. They also sync up with Apple products incredibly easily.

Convinced yet? Head to Amazon now.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Sept. 8, 2025:

AcrossMusic purchases of the ’90s and early 2000s

• The answer is CDs.

Eco-conscious diaper option

• The answer is Cloth.

Styles of singing?

• The answer is Harry.

Invite to one's loft, say

• The answer is Ask up.

What "yellow" and "mellow" do

• The answer is Rhyme.

DownWhat yellow and purple do, some say

• The answer is Clash.

Like many an endearing goofball

• The answer is Dorky.

Play, as a guitar

• The answer is Strum.

Burn slightly

• The answer is Char.

Overblown promotion

• The answer is Hype.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

The Full Moon has passed, which means each night until the New Moon, we'll see less and less moon each night. This happens as we progress through the lunar cycle.

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

Let's find out what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 8.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 8, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 99% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's still lots of moon to see, so if you have a cloudless sky, here's what you'll be able to see when you look up. With just the naked eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau, the Tycho Crater, and the Mare Tranquillitatis.

If you have binoculars, you'll also see the Apennine Mountains, Archimedes Crater, and the Alps Mountains. If you're lucky enough to have a telescope, point it upwards to see the Apollo 12 landing spot, the Rima Hyginus, and the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6.

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.

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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 Mini crossword answers, hints for September 4, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: College teams

• Green: National Mascots

• Blue: All-time shooters

• Purple: Mr. Martinez

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

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

• Yellow: A Big Ten Athlete

• Green: NFL Mascots

• Blue: NBA Career 3-Point Leaders

• Purple: ____Martinez

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

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #350 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• A Big Ten Athlete - BUCKEYE, DUCK, SPARTAN, TERRAPIN

• NFL Mascots - POE, ROWDY, SIR PURR, SWOOP

• NBA Career 3-Point Leaders - ALLEN, CURRY, HARDEN, LILLARD

• ____Martinez - EDGAR, PEDRO, TINO, VICTOR

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

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

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

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

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

Awful.

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

LOUSY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Overweight.

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

OBESE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To permit.

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

ALLOW

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To confess something.

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

ADMIT

Final Hurdle hint

Used to light a candle.

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

MATCH

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: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Sept. 14. — a lifetime license, one-time payment, all the apps you’ll ever need.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97
$219.99 Save $180.02 Get Deal

Free productivity tools sound appealing until you try to share a file and the formatting goes sideways. That’s why Microsoft Office has stayed the go-to standard. It just works the way it’s supposed to.

For a limited time, you can pick up Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows with a lifetime license for only $39.97. No subscription fees every month. No recurring charges. Just the full suite of professional apps, installed directly on your PC.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best laptops under $500: Back-to-school edition

This bundle includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, giving you the same set of tools relied on in offices and boardrooms across the globe. From building spreadsheets that handle large data sets to creating presentations that won’t glitch in front of clients, Office 2021 Pro is designed to keep pace with your work.

The redesigned ribbon interface makes navigation faster, while formatting and customization options let you polish documents without fuss. Excel offers enhanced analysis capabilities, PowerPoint has added smarter presentation tools, and Outlook helps make inbox management far less painful.

Think of it as a permanent solution. You pay once, and the license is yours forever. That means no budgeting for yet another subscription service. If you need reliability in your daily tools, this deal delivers it.

It’s the same Microsoft Office you already know — upgraded for modern workflows and packaged in a way that’s affordable and future-proof.

Get a lifetime of MS Office Professional 2021 for just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) when you order through Sept. 14.

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