IT General

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate — far-right influencers, former kickboxing champions, self-described misogynists, and men who are facing multiple charges of rape, human trafficking, and sexual assault — are suing Meta and TikTok for banning their social media accounts in 2022.

Andrew Tate was originally banned from Meta for violating its policies "on dangerous organizations and individuals," the company told the Guardian by email in 2022. TikTok and other social media platforms banned him for similar reasons.

"Misogyny is a hateful ideology that is not tolerated on TikTok," a TikTok spokesperson told NPR at the time. "Our investigation into this content is ongoing, as we continue to remove violative accounts and videos, and pursue measures to strengthen our enforcement, including our detection models, against this type of content."

The brothers were also banned from X but were later reinstated after Elon Musk acquired the company. Andrew Tate currently has 10.7 million followers on the platform, while Tristan has 3.4 million.

SEE ALSO: Andrew Tate is affecting what kids believe about relationships

Before the bans in 2022, they had millions of followers on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram as well.

Last week, they filed two lawsuits in the Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing TikTok and Meta of defaming and unlawfully "deplatforming" them, according to NBC News. The Hill reported that the suit alleges a "coordinated campaign to suppress, silence, and destroy the reputations and livelihoods" of the brothers. They're seeking more than $50 million in damages from both companies, NBC News reported.

"This campaign was carried out not merely by private actors, but in concert with government officials, media operatives, and ideological pressure groups — thus transforming Meta into a state actor for purposes of constitutional liability," the filing stated, according to The Hill. Their suit against TikTok used similar language.

Meta and TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.

The lawsuits don't mention YouTube, but the brothers were also banned there in 2022.

SAVE $40: As of Aug. 22, get the Amazon Fire TV Cube for $99.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $139.99. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube on white background $99.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

Looking for a new way to stream all the shows and movies you watch on the regular? You don't need to do anything complicated, not when Amazon makes it super easy for you to choose one of its Fire TV devices, set it up in just minutes, and go. If you're on the fence about which one you might want to pick up right now to enjoy all the perks of simple streaming, you might want to snatch up the Fire TV Cube, which is $40 off right now at the retailer.

As of Aug. 22, get the Amazon Fire TV Cube for $99.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $139.99. That's $40 off and discount of 29%.

SEE ALSO: The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is now $20 off at Amazon — upgrade to high-quality 4K streaming

This compact, cube-shaped streaming box has an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor and supports WiFi 6E, so right out of the box, it's primed and ready to help you access all of your favorite content. It offers smooth, lag-free viewing with a variety of different apps and features, as well as 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision and HDR, and Dolby Atmos.

Amazon claims that it's the company's fastest-ever streaming player, and it's two times as powerful as their Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It offers hands-free Alexa so you can control everything with just your voice, as well as easy navigation between devices that are connected, like your cable box and consoles.

If you want to invest in a streaming box that you can rely on, this is a great pick, especially with $40 off the regular price tag. Grab one while they're hot.

Tesla is now bundling its top Cybertruck with a bunch of extras, but those come with a large price hike that cannot be avoided.

Tesla calls this the "Luxe Package," and it's only available for the Cyberbeast, which is the Cybertruck's top trim. It includes Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, four-year premium service, free, unlimited supercharging, and premium connectivity.

The problem with Luxe Package, however, is that it's not optional: It's included with every Cyberbeast, which now costs $114,990, which is a $15,000 hike compared to yesterday's pricing.

The Luxe Package could still, theoretically, be good value. Unfortunately, in this case it's mediocre at best. Tesla's FSD package costs $8,000 on other trims, and – despite Elon Musk's constant promises of massive progress – it currently isn't all that useful. The other big perk the buyers will get, free Supercharging, will take a while before it pays off. Fortunately, you can still get the two cheaper Cybertruck trims, without the Luxe Package, for $62,490 and $72,490, respectively.

The move is even more puzzling when you consider how poorly the Cybertruck's been selling. Tesla doesn't share exact numbers, but estimates say the company sold just 6,406 Cybertrucks in the first quarter of 2025.

SEE ALSO: Want to buy Tesla's six-seat Model YL? We've got bad and worse news.

Tesla's Model S and Model X haven't been selling that great recently, either, but Tesla did a similar thing to them last week, adding the Luxe Package and $10,000 to the price of these models' top trims.

TL;DR: As of Aug. 22, Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt and White Flare sealed products are up to 29% cheaper on TCGPlayer vs. Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box $85.99 at TCGPlayer
$107.94 Save $21.95 Get Deal

Destined Rivals is the newest expansion in the Scarlet and Violet era, and it brings together fan favorite characters like Cynthia, Team Rocket, and more. The standout product is the Elite Trainer Box, which comes with nine booster packs, a full art Wobbuffet promo, and all the accessories you need to keep your cards organized. At $85.99 on TCGPlayer instead of nearly $108 on Amazon, it is the best entry point for players and collectors who want the complete experience.

• Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box — $85.99 at TCGPlayer vs. $107.94 at Amazon (save $21.95, or 20%)

• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection — $49.42 at TCGPlayer vs. $59.90 at Amazon (save $10.48, or 17%)

• Destined Rivals Booster Bundle — $46.49 at TCGPlayer vs. $49.90 at Amazon (save $3.41, or 7%)

• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex Box — $33.40 at TCGPlayer vs. $42.94 at Amazon (save $9.54, or 23%)

• Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister Pack — $27 at TCGPlayer vs. $29.99 at Amazon (save $2.99, or 10%)

Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection is another highlight. It includes promo cards of Garchomp ex, Gible, and Gabite along with acrylic standees, a display backdrop, stickers, and six booster packs. At just over $49 on TCGPlayer compared to $60 on Amazon, it is the most affordable way to grab the Sinnoh Champion’s dragon in a sealed product.

If you are mainly looking for booster packs, the Destined Rivals Booster Bundle gets you six packs without the extras. At $46.49 on TCGPlayer vs. $49.90 on Amazon, it is not the biggest discount, but it is still the smarter buy if you only care about ripping packs.

For fans of Team Rocket, the Mewtwo ex Box is a standout. It comes with a Mewtwo ex promo, Giovanni and Meowth foil cards, an oversize card, a sticker, and four boosters. At $33.40 on TCGPlayer compared to $42.94 on Amazon, it is a great pickup for Unova era nostalgia and collectors who love villain decks.

Finally, the Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister Pack is perfect if you want a quick hit of new cards without committing to a bigger product. At $27 on TCGPlayer compared to $29.99 on Amazon, it is a small but real saving that adds up if you buy more than one.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG price watch: Top bumps and cuts for August 20, 2025

Across the board, TCGPlayer is offering better prices on every single Destined Rivals product. Regardless of being here for the promos, the packs, or the display pieces, it makes sense to skip Amazon’s markup and grab your sealed product where it is cheaper.

Most valuable Destined Rivals Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Thew Pokémon Company

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Destined Rivals right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182 – Destined Rivals
   Near Mint Holofoil: $314.50
   Market price: $345.72
   Value at launch: $333.52

2. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex – 232/182 – Destined Rivals
   Near Mint Holofoil: $200.28
   Market price: $209.31
   Value at launch: $333.52

3. Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex – 230/182 – Destined Rivals
   Near Mint Holofoil: $151.92
   Market price: $153.74
   Value at launch: $189.98

4. Team Rocket’s Moltres ex – 229/182 – Destined Rivals
   Near Mint Holofoil: $129.69
   Market price: $149.85
   Value at launch: $148.91

5. Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex – 233/182 – Destined Rivals
   Near Mint Holofoil: $119.98
   Market price: $103.04
   Value at launch: $90.80

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. USA in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Women's Rugby World Cup is finally here, and the hosts and favorites are getting things underway. England face off against USA in the opening game of the tournament, with fans expecting a confident win from the Red Roses. The odds are in England's favor, but USA and Ilona Maher will be looking to cause an upset at the Stadium of Light.

If you want to watch England vs. USA in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. USA?

England vs. USA in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup starts at 7:30 p.m. BST on Aug. 22. This fixture takes place at the Stadium of Light.

How to watch England vs. USA for free

England vs. USA in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup 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 handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup online for free

Live stream England vs. USA for free 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 England vs. USA 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 are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch England vs. USA without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the Women's Rugby World Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream 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 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 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream England vs. USA in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: As of Aug. 22, Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt and White Flare sealed products are up to 29% cheaper on TCGPlayer vs. Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Elite Trainer Box $80 at TCGPlayer
$107.39 Save $27.39 Get Deal

Black Bolt and White Flare expansions are packed with value, and the best way to experience them is through their sealed products. At TCGPlayer, you can find every box in this wave for less than Amazon, which makes now the perfect time to stock up before prices climb.

• Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box — $85 at TCGPlayer vs. $112.67 at Amazon (save $27.67, or 24%)

• White Flare Elite Trainer Box — $80 at TCGPlayer vs. $107.39 at Amazon (save $27.39, or 25%)

• White Flare Booster Bundle Set — $46.98 at TCGPlayer vs. $55.01 at Amazon (save $8.03, or 15%)

• Unova Victini Illustration Collection — $37.23 at TCGPlayer vs. $49.99 at Amazon (save $12.76, or 26%)

• Unova Poster Box — $31.99 at TCGPlayer vs. $39.98 at Amazon (save $7.99, or 20%)

Black Bolt and White Flare Elite Trainer Boxes are the clear stars. Each one features nine booster packs, a unique promo card, and all the accessories that players and collectors expect. Black Bolt comes with a full art Thundurus, while White Flare includes Tornadus. Both promos are exclusive to their boxes, and with prices sitting at $85 and $80 on TCGPlayer instead of over $100 on Amazon, they are an easy recommendation for anyone who wants the complete experience.

If you are more interested in cracking packs, the White Flare Booster Bundle offers six boosters without all the extras. It is one of the most efficient ways to add to your collection, and at $46.98 on TCGPlayer compared to $55 on Amazon, it feels like a much better deal.

For fans of Unova, the Victini Illustration Collection is a highlight. This box comes with a full art Victini, a parallel foil, and an oversize card, along with four boosters split between Black Bolt and White Flare. At just over $37 on TCGPlayer compared to $49.99 on Amazon, it is a fun pickup for both promo hunters and players looking for a variety of packs.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Across the board, these Black Bolt and White Flare products are more affordable on TCGPlayer than Amazon, often by double digit percentages. If you want to grab promo cards, crack open packs, or display sealed boxes, buying now ensures you are paying fair prices before the market tightens.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: The Pokémon Company

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Black Bolt and White Flare right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Value at launch: $500

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Value at launch: $488.50

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Value at launch: $499.50

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Value at launch: $440

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Value at launch: $210.56

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Value at launch: $210.56

SAVE UP TO $1,000: Score the Google Pixel 10 for free or take $800 off the Pixel 10 Pro at T-Mobile — with no trade-in required.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 at T-Mobile Shop Now

For those after a shiny modern smartphone upgrade but dreading the four-figure price tag that usually comes with it, T-Mobile’s latest Pixel promotion is about as good as it gets.

The carrier is offering the freshly announced Google Pixel 10 completely free, or $800 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro, when you add a line on a qualifying plan. What makes this even better is that there’s no trade-in required — you just need to stick with T-Mobile and enrol in AutoPay. 

The savings are spread out as 24 monthly bill credits, so as long as you keep your account in good standing, you’ll end up paying next to nothing for one of the most hyped smartphones of the year.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best smartphones of 2025 so far

The Pixel 10 is powered by Google’s new Tensor G5 chip, designed to boost multitasking and battery efficiency. That translates to up to 30 hours of use on a single charge, which is a nice step up from last year’s Pixel 9. You’re also getting the built-in Gemini AI, which can handle tasks like text-to-speech, summarising info, and web searches natively on the device.

Its 6.3-inch 1080p display is also sharp enough for everything from TikTok scrolling to Netflix binges.

If you want the bells and whistles, the Pixel 10 Pro cranks things up with a 2856 x 1280 display, AI-assisted photo and video editing, and support for Pixelsnap wireless charging. Plus, with eSIM technology, you can juggle multiple phone numbers on one device. 

That makes it perfect if you need both a personal and a work line without carrying two phones.

T-Mobile says you can snag up to four devices per family, making it a no-brainer if you’re looking to upgrade everyone’s phone at once before the school year kicks into gear. Just remember that you’ll still owe taxes and fees upfront, and if you bail on your plan before the 24 months are up, you’re on the hook for the remaining balance (which is up to $1,000).

There’s no firm end date for this promotion, which means it could vanish once preorder demand spikes or Google caps supply. If a free Pixel (or an $800 discount on the Pro) sounds tempting, lock it in.

If you’re still weighing up your options, take a browse of our list of the best smartphones of 2025 so far — including the Google Pixel 9a, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and iPhone 16e. For anyone still looking to splash a bit less cash, we have a roundup of the five best budget smartphones in 2025 as well — including the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G and OnePlus 13R. 

Watching the cast of The Studio watch The Studio isn't quite as fun as watching The Studio itself, but it's certainly an enjoyable way to kill a couple of minutes.

In the clip above Seth Rogen, co-creator Evan Goldberg, Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Dewayne Perkins, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, and Bryan Cranston sit in a theatre watching back the show's finale, offering commentary on what it was like to film the big presentation scene ("We look so stupid," says Wonders, before Barinholtz chips in with "Morons, all morons.")

Stupid or not, though, the end result certainly worked.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 22, the TCL 55-Inch QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is on sale for $597.99 at Amazon. This marks a return to its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-Inch Class QM7K Series QD-Mini LED 4K UHD TV $597.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $102 Get Deal

If you've been hoping to invest in a new TV, Amazon has had some great deals available lately. This discount on a TCL 55-Inch QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is a standout choice, as it's currently marked back down to its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

The TCL 55-Inch QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is usually listed for $699.99, but it's on sale right now for $597.99. This marks a 15% discount from its list price, saving you $102 on list price. More importantly, this is its best-ever price, so there's no better time than now to scoop it up for less.

SEE ALSO: Samsung is giving away a free 65-inch TV right now — here's how to get yours

This 55-inch TCL TV boasts a QD-Mini LED display and 4K resolution so you can enjoy all of the latest shows and films on streaming in their best quality. And with audio by Bang & Olufsen, your ears are in for a treat with excellent sound quality to help you fully absorb whatever you're watching. On top of that, you can have all of your favorite streaming apps right at your fingertips.

It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so act fast to score the TCL 55-Inch QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV at its best-ever price at Amazon. And if you're on the hunt for an even bigger TV, check out this great discount on the 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED TV over at Amazon as well.

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A summer without domestic football is always a struggle, but the return is oh so sweet. The Premier League got underway last week, but Bundesliga fans have had to remain patient.

Well we have some good news for fans of German football. Not only is the Bundesliga back, but you can watch the opening game of the new season without spending anything. And it's not just any game, it's the defending champions taking on the talented RB Leipzig. Can Bayern Munich kickstart their title defence with a win? Home fans will be expecting big performances from the likes of Harry Kane and Michael Olise.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig?

Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga kicks off at 7:30 p.m. BST on Aug. 22. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig for free

Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga 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 handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig for free 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 Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig 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 are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the Bundesliga before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream 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 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 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga for free with ExpressVPN.

Stephen King took some time out from posting movie reviews on Thursday to get back to one of his other favorite topics: Trump.

Specifically in this case, he wanted to share his thoughts on the ongoing trolling of Trump by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which has unfolded on the Governor's official X press account in recent weeks in the form of many shouty, all-caps posts parodying the president himself.

SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked

The horror master's verdict? "Gavin Newsom's tweets are awesome. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

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

If you haven't seen Newsom's posts yet, here are a few examples.

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

The posts have been going so viral that both Trump and J.D. Vance have now responded — but it doesn't appear that Newsom's team will be stopping anytime soon.

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: Whodunit?

The words are crime-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are kinds of typical suspects.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Its a Mystery.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 22

• Spouse

• Heir

• Lover

• Its a Mystery

• Stranger

• Detective

• Rival

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 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:

Annoyed.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

RATTY.

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 today's Wordle.

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 22, 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 Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 20, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 22

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 22

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): The domino halves in this space must be 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

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

Equal (6): The domino halves in this yellow space must be 6. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 22

Number (18): The domino halves in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally

Equal (2): The domino halves in this red space must be 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): The domino halves in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this blue space must be 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): The domino halves in this purple space must be 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

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

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: 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.

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 Mini crossword answers, hints for August 22, 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: See

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Regionally specific team abbreviations

• Purple: Same first word

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: Recognize

• Green: A Chicago athlete

• Blue: ACC teams, familiarly

• Purple: Front ___

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 #333 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Recognize - AWARD, CORONATE, CROWN, HONOR

• A Chicago athlete - BEAR, BLACKHAWK, BULL, CUB

• ACC teams, familiarly - CAL, CUSE, PITT, WAKE

• Front ___ - COURT, OFFICE, ROW, RUNNER

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.

Since King of the Hill first premiered in 1997, Pamela Adlon has been the voice of the lovable Bobby Hill. As a boy, he "just ain't right," but in Season 14 of the recently resurrected cartoon series, Bobby is a 21-year-old man who's got a lot going for him, including his own fusion restaurant.

SEE ALSO: Forget 'The Bear.' 'King of the Hill' has the most stressful restaurant episode of 2025

What's it been like for Adlon to return to the role of Bobby Hill and see him all grown up? The accomplished writer/director/actor sat down with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko for a Say More interview, where they touched on all that and more. They also chatted about how Adlon feels about the Oscar win of her Better Things co-star Mikey Madison, her upcoming auction of TV memorabilia to help her colleagues in the entertainment industry, and her thoughts on BobbyTok — TikTok videos centered on Bobby Hill, and particularly his very popular proclamation: "That's my purse! I don't know you!"

In the clip above, Adlon recounts how voicing Bobby over years on King of the Hill led to her feeling a deep connection with him. "I love Bobby so much. He's my favorite character, so much so that when I see a picture of Bobby I think I'm looking at myself, because it's me. It's an extension of me. He's one of my kids as well."

As proud as Adlon is of Bobby, she had no idea how big he'd become on TikTok, where his self-defense class proclamation became a trending sound, inspiring lots of videos — many about standing up for yourself — and even a purse.

She asked us to show her some of these videos, and we obliged. "Oh my God!" Adlon shouted. "That's amazing!" She then asked her publicist to download TikTok so they could look at more later.

King of the Hill Season 14 is now streaming on Hulu.

Choosing the best e-reader for you is one thing, but building your digital library is a whole other endeavor. For thrifty readers, Libby and Stuff Your Kindle Day are two routes that don't involve spending a dime but still give you the freedom to read nearly anything you'd like. However, if you already have an impressive EPUB library to upload to your new Kindle e-reader, that makes things even easier.

Kindles used to only support limited file types, but as of 2022, they officially started supporting EPUB files. Now you can get the universal format on your Kindle, and there are two routes to do so. We break down each method for how to get EPUBs on Kindles, one using the Send to Kindle feature and the other using the software Calibre. Rest assured, both are extremely user-friendly; it's just a matter of personal preference.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best e-readers of 2025, reviewed by someone who really loves books Use Send to Kindle feature: The easy option One of the Kindle's best built-in features. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Total Time

• 5 minutes

What You Need

• Computer

Step 1: Register your Kindle to Amazon

To use Send to Kindle, your Kindle device needs to be registered to your Amazon account.

Step 2: Navigate to Amazon's Send to Kindle page

Visit the Send to Kindle page on Amazon's website.

Step 3: Choose your file

Drag and drop your file or click the "Select files from device" button to choose your epub files to upload. The file will go directly to your Kindle device.

One thing to note about this feature is that it takes about five minutes to upload and send, so if you're doing a mass upload it might be a long process. Plus, there are some folks who want a Kindle but want to avoid ties to Amazon otherwise. If that's the case and you don't register your Kindle e-reader to an Amazon account, then you'll have to upload your EPUB files another way.

Use Calibre: The fastest option

An alternative way to get EPUB files onto your Kindle is to use an application that stores them and also serves as an intermediary to upload those files to your e-reader. The best program to do so is Calibre, and it's totally free to use. The e-book management system allows you to upload e-book files to read or convert them.

Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Computer

Step 1: Download Calibre

Visit Calibre's website to download the platform for your device.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 2: Convert book

The convert feature provides a list of formats to choose from, so if an e-reader only supports certain file types, you can make the file compatible. Choose which format you'd like to convert your EPUB file to and hit convert.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 3: Plug e-reader into device

Once you have your files uploaded and converted, plug your e-reader into your computer. A new icon will populate on Calibre called "device," where you can access all of your e-reader's files.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 4: Drag book into device library.

Once the device is attached, just drag your EPUB file to the device icon and drop it in. The file will upload in seconds and be ready to use. To verify the upload was successful, click on the device icon and make sure the file now appears in the device library.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 5: Optional: Auto-convert

If you forget to convert your EPUB files before upload, Calibre is a thorough program and will prompt you to auto-convert when you add your file to your device.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable The issue of DRM files

While Calibre has the unique advantage of being able to convert files to be compatible with most e-readers, there is one thing it can't do — remove encryption on DRM (Digital Rights Management) files. One extremely obnoxious thing e-reader brands have done is encrypt their books so that they can't be read on other devices. This means if you buy a book on a Kindle but later get a Kobo, the books you purchased in the Kindle store can't be converted over. While there are some services that advertise decoding these files, we have yet to find success with one. So for the time being, these processes of uploading EPUB files only work with unencrypted files.

SAVE 50%: The Nectar Labor Day sale is live — save up to 50% on Nectar mattresses and get up to 66% off with bundles.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar Labor Day Sale Shop Now

Labor Day sales are officially underway, with a wide range of retailers offering up early access deals. And if you're in the market for a new mattress or bed frame, the Nectar Labor Day sale is the place to be.

This is one of Nectar's largest Labor Day promotions yet, with savings of up to 50% on mattresses and 66% off bundles. That means you can save big not just on beds, but on a complete sleep setup. Think mattresses paired with top-quality bed frames, bedding, and accessories. The discounts cover Nectar’s full lineup, from the Classic to the more advanced Premier, Luxe, and Ultra models, available in both foam and hybrid versions.

SEE ALSO: Brooklyn Bedding’s CopperFlex Pro is the coolest mattress I’ve ever slept on

We're tracking all of the best Labor Day deals from Nectar. To get you started, we've lined up a selection of standout options for a better night's sleep:

The best Nectar Labor Day deals

• Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress — $649 $1,490

• Nectar Premier — $949 $2,282

• Nectar Luxe — $1,249 $3,299

• Adjustable Comfort Premier Bundle — $1,398 $3,054

• Bamboo Bed and Mattress Bundle — $1,548 $3,204

Head to Nectar to score these early Labor Day deals.

Budget-friendly robot vacuums are way smarter than they used to be. Even without all of the fancy features, the best cheap robot vacuum can absolutely shave some time off of your chore routine — if it works the way it's supposed to.

But many of the super-inexpensive robot vacuums cut corners too close to the sun, quickly going from helpers around the house to agents of chaos. Let's say that their low price stems from basic bumper car navigation instead of smart mapping, or from outdated obstacle sensors that get confused by table legs. Your chances of coming home to a vacuum stuck under the couch are higher than the chance of coming home to a fully-swept floor plan.

It's also more likely than not that any old cheap robot vacuum caps suction power at 3,000 or 4,000 Pa. And that's simply not enough to challenge any remotely stubborn crumbs, dust, or pet hair baked into carpet. That mediocrity extends to many robot vacuum and mop combo models, which often don't "scrub" so much as feebly glide a damp cloth around. A few steps in your bare feet, and you're all but guaranteed to step on debris the vacuum left behind.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineups

Long story short: Buying a robot vacuum just because it's cheap puts that glorious hands-off cleaning experience in jeopardy. But not all budget robot vacuums are disappointing. Compared to five years ago, the affordable end of the robot vacuum spectrum has experienced just as much of a glow-up as the premium end. Smart mapping and self-emptying docks are both common and affordable in 2025, especially when deals on robot vacuums happen year-round. All of the vacuums in this guide regularly go on sale for under $500.

While I do have some good tips on how to make any robot vacuum work better, how do you ensure a cheap vacuum doesn't suck? By taking a recommendation from someone who's tested them personally. I'm regularly testing budget robot vacuums in my own apartment, actively keeping the "bang for your buck" mentality in mind. So, here are my picks for the best budget robot vacuum to buy in 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I have tested several other inexpensive robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. These include older models like the Eufy L60, Roomba 694, the Roomba Combo Essential 2, and Shark Matrix RV2300, which have simply been overshadowed by other (often newer) vacuums that offer more suction power and smarter features in the same budget price range.

One comparison that sticks out is the Roomba 205 DustCompactor versus the 3i G10+, which both "self-empty" without a self-emptying dock. However, I wasn't psyched on my experience with the Roomba 205 — it got stuck on rug corners and got lost too often. Plus, the 3i G10+ offers more advanced features like small obstacle and pet waste avoidance and a livestream pet camera, whereas the Roomba 205 doesn't.

SAVE 50%: Masterclass is offering 50% off all courses for Labor Day. This MasterClass Labor Day discount ends on Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Masterclass Masterclass Labor Day Sale 50% off all courses until Sept. 1 Shop Now

If you're looking to take up a new skill or hone in on a hobby from years gone by, it's time to check out Masterclass.

MasterClass is an online learning platform where well-known experts and public figures offer video courses on their areas of expertise. It covers a wide range of subjects, like cooking, filmmaking, writing, business, music, sports, and more. For example, you can take a cooking class with Gordon Ramsay or pick up tennis tips from Serena Williams. It doesn't get much better than that.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: Which smartphone is right for you?

For Labor Day 2025, MasterClass has announced an incredible 50% off promotion. Instead of paying for individual classes, you get access to the entire library of more than 200 courses, and you can dip into as many lessons as you like during your membership. And until Sept. 1, all three membership models are half-price.

Choose from Standard, Plus, and Premium memberships, now priced at $5, $7, and $10 respectively. No matter what membership level you choose, you'll have unlimited access to a wide range of classes. Take your pick.

Save 50% on learning this Labor Day with Masterclass.