IT General

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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the rebound

These words encapsulate multiple variations of the hint's meaning.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are all related to things that bounce.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is circular.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is LetsBounce.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 17

• Basketball

• Spring

• Trampoline

• Echo

• LetsBounce

• Kangaroo

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.

TL;DR: Grab a lifetime Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan on sale for £74.91 and simplify your form creation process.

Opens in a new window Credit: Formly Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan: Lifetime Subscription £74.91 at the Mashable Shop
£789.93 Save £715.02 Get Deal

One thing most of us can agree on is that paperwork is a major pain. But whether you’re running a small business, managing events, or just trying to keep your projects organised, creating forms is a necessary evil. That’s where Formly comes in, turning what could be a tedious task into something you can do with ease.

The Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan offers you a lifetime subscription to stress-free form creation for £74.91, giving you the tools you need to design, share, and collect data without the headaches.

Formly makes creating custom forms a breeze. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use it — just drag and drop your way to the perfect form. Whether it’s for customer feedback, event RSVPs, or surveys, you can whip up something that looks polished and professional in minutes. And because you’re getting lifetime access, you never have to worry about recurring fees or losing access to your forms.

But it’s not just about making forms. With Formly, you can easily share them with your audience and collect data seamlessly. The platform allows you to embed forms on your website, share them via email, or distribute them through social media. Plus, all responses are neatly organised, so you can analyse your data without sifting through piles of paperwork.

Formly’s Gold Plan even includes advanced features like conditional logic, custom branding, and secure data encryption, so your forms are not only easy to use, but also powerful and secure. And with lifetime access, you’re set for all your future projects.

Get lifetime access to the Formly Gold Plan on sale for £74.91 (reg. £789.93) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. Both teams have secured their postseason spot, so this match will be about improving their standings before the regular season comes to an end.

To watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm?

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in the WNBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm

You can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

To get past this, you'll need to use a VPN. This is a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live (excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video).

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Chicago Sky and the Atlanta Dream. Neither team has qualified for the postseason thus far, and there's only a handful of games left in the regular season.

To watch the Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream?

Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

How to watch Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream

You can watch this latest fixture with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

You can bypass these restrictions with just a few easy steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the New York Liberty and the Washington Mystics. Both teams have secured postseason spots, and will be looking to improve their positioning in the remaining matches.

To watch the New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics?

New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC.

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics

You can watch New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

However, you can get around this with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun. Both teams have secured postseason spots, and will be looking to improve their positioning in the remaining matches.

To watch the Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun?

Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

How to watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun

You can watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

However, you can get around this with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Biotechnology company 23andMe has agreed to pay a $30 million settlement over a massive data breach that affected 6.9 million users.

Per Reuters, the genetic testing company filed a court document on Thursday detailing the settlement in a class action lawsuit in the Northern District of California. In the document, 23andMe proposed compensation for victims of the data breach.

SEE ALSO: 23andMe confirms how many people were affected by its data breach. It's not great news. What is the 23andMe settlement about?

In October 2023, 23andMe announced a data breach in which hackers had stolen users' personal records and genetic information. But it wasn't until December that year that the company revealed the extent of the damage. Around 14,000 users had their information stolen, but hackers leveraged 23andMe's relative-finder tool to access even more users, amounting to the 6.9 million affected.

The class-action lawsuit filed in San Francisco also alleged that 23andMe failed to properly notify users with Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage who were reportedly singled out for their information on the dark web.

So 23andMe is paying up, but that doesn't mean victims of the breach will get an even distribution of the $30 million. According to the court document, only $5 million is allocated towards compensating the users. Breaking this down further, users who filed for an "extraordinary claim," meaning they suffered financial fraud, are eligible for a $10,000 payout. Others, however, are only entitled to $100. The bulk of the settlement will be used to pay attorney fees.

Through the settlement, 23andMe will be required to boost its cybersecurity measures and provide a customized "Privacy & Medical Shield + Genetic Monitoring" to affected users in order to protect them from future fraud and identify theft issues. Once the settlement proposal is approved by the court, 23andMe will set up a dedicated class-action settlement website where users can file their individual claims.

So if you were one of millions of users affected, stay tuned for more information on how to get your (probably small) piece of the settlement.

A new survey found that parents significantly underestimate their teen's use of generative artificial intelligence. The technology, popularized by the conversational platform ChatGPT, allows users to ask pretty much any question of an AI bot and receive a specific and detailed original response. 

The survey, conducted this spring by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, polled 1,045 U.S. adult parents and their teens. Overall, 70 percent of the teens said they used generative AI. 

Of the teens who said they'd used at least one platform, only 37 percent of their parents were aware of their use. Almost a quarter of parents whose child had used the technology didn't know it, and nearly 40 percent of the adult respondents whose teen had experimented with the tools weren't sure about their experience doing so. 

SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scary

Teens with generative AI experience said they most commonly used platforms for homework help, to avoid being bored, and to translate something from one language to another. Many of the teens admitted to using generative AI for school assignments without the teacher's permission. Some teens created new content using someone else's voice or image, sometimes as a joke or to tease another person. While participants were asked about their experience with using AI to make explicit nonconsensual imagery, those findings will be included in a future report.

Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media, said that parents should start discussing the complexities of generative AI with their children so that they're prepared for what they might encounter. 

"You've got to talk about it because your kids are already using it, even if you don't think they are," Lenhart said. 

What your teen should know about generative AI 

While the technology may benefit teens in numerous ways, Lenhart noted that young users may not be aware of its potential for reproducing bias and sharing incorrect or misleading information, often known as hallucinations. 

Teens also might not know when using generative AI tools is tantamount to cheating; or violates another person's privacy, when it's used to create imagery without their consent; or, understand that the large language models upon which generative AI platforms are built can have different training, tuning, and guardrails.

"These tools pull from the best and the worst of the internet and the best and worst of humanity, and that means that sometimes what they share with us is both wrong and awful," Lenhart said. 

Parents may not know any of this important information if they've not read about or used generative AI, which is why it's helpful for adults to familiarize themselves with the technology as they start discussing it with their child, Lenhart added. 

She recommends that parents test out platforms that use this technology. They may even already spend time on platforms or services that incorporate generative AI, without realizing it. 

Google's Gemini search product, for example, currently produces generative responses to user inquiries. Meta's Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp communication tools have generative AI capabilities as well. Basic Meta AI prompts include "give me a personality quiz" and "how do I speed read?" 

Teens on Snap likely know its generative chatbot My AI, which adults could experiment with and then discuss with their child, Lenhart said. 

When engaging with teens about generative AI, parents can play with the technology together with or alongside their child. Lenhart cited asking it to write a silly poem, make up Halloween costume ideas, or plan a week of meals as examples. A parent could also watch their teen test a chatbot's knowledge of a topic they're passionate about and then discuss how to know whether the AI was wrong or right. 

Whatever parents choose, Lenhart says to focus on finding ways to help teens identify how AI platforms do or don't work and have that conversation together.

Generative AI at school

The survey suggests those discussions aren't happening in the classroom, which Lenhart said is consequential. 

Common Sense research shows that teens who do participate in complex conversations and lessons about the topic at school have a more nuanced understanding of generative AI's pros and cons. But the survey found that this isn't happening for over half of the young respondents. 

Lenhart said it's important for teens to be told the rules for using generative AI when completing schoolwork, which may vary from teacher to teacher. 

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat." - Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat," Lenhart said. "They want to use it in a way that is appropriate for learning, so tell them where that is so they can walk up to that line and not cross it."

And according to the survey, suspicion of cheating may disproportionately affect Black students. In the survey, Black teens were twice as likely as White and Latino teens to say that their teachers incorrectly flagged their schoolwork as the product of generative AI when it wasn't. Lenhart said this finding mimics historic inequities in school-based discipline for Black youth.

"AI tools are not exempt from the bias you probably already experience in your school," Lenhart said.

The issue illustrates why it's so important that adults, at school and home, are aware of the challenges that teens will face in the era of generative AI.

TL;DR: Grab a refurbished iPad Pro 12.9" 4th-Gen for $599.99 (reg. $1,299) and experience high-end performance and versatility at more than half off the usual price.

Looking for high-end performance without the hefty price tag? The refurbished 4th-generation Apple iPad Pro offers all the power you need for both work and play — but priced at $599.99, a fraction of the cost of a new one. With its thin design and stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display, everything from streaming to sketching feels like a premium experience.

And let’s not forget, this model is from 2020, so you’re still getting fairly recent tech without the sticker shock. It's also been given an "A" refurbished rating, which means it's in near-mint conditions with minimal to no signs of use.

Powered by the A12Z Bionic chip, this iPad Pro handles demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and running multiple apps with ease. The 128GB of storage gives you plenty of space to keep your projects, apps, and files, making it a useful tool for creatives and professionals alike. Whether you’re editing 4K videos or diving into advanced productivity apps, this iPad is built to keep up.

With up to 10 hours of battery life, you can stay productive all day without needing to recharge. Plus, because it’s refurbished, you get all these high-end features for a fraction of the cost of a new device — and without sacrificing quality. Rigorously tested, it works like new and offers unbeatable value.

If you’re after a tablet that’s powerful, versatile, and still relatively new, this refurbished 2020 iPad Pro 12.9" 4th-Gen is on sale for 53% off at $599.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 4th Gen (2020) 128GB Wi-Fi Space Gray (Refurbished) $599.99
$1,299.00 Save $699.01 Get Deal

The best TV deals at Target as of Sept. 16: BEST OVERALL TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED 4K Google TV $319.99 at Target (save $130) Get Deal BEST BUDGET TV DEAL Westinghouse 50-inch 4K Roku TV $199.99 at Target (save $80) Get Deal BEST SPLURGE TV DEAL LG 65-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,696.99 at Target (save $1,003) Get Deal

Although we're already heading into week three of the NFL season, we're still seeing some pretty solid deals on TVs of all shapes, sizes, and brands. And we're certainly not complaining.

If you still haven't upgraded your non-smart TV into this century, it's beyond time to get with the times. It doesn't need to cost a fortune, either. With Target's best TV deals this week, you can save up to 37% on a new model and start seeing the actual details of each football game. Not to mention, you can finally watch all the best shows and movies of 2024 (so far) the way they're meant to be viewed.

We've pulled the best TV deals we think are worth adding to your cart the week of Sept. 16 at Target to help you make your choice.

Best TV deal at Target Opens in a new window Credit: TCL Our pick: TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED 4K Google TV $319.99 at Target
$449.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

TCL's Q6 series is a middle of the road QLED TV that can level up your viewing experience — whether you want to enhance the football season or queue up the best movies of 2024. It gets brighter than the Q5, supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, optimizes each scene via the AIPQ processor, and supports 120Hz VRR in Game Accelerator mode. It's also loaded with Motion Rate 240 motion smoothing technology and three HDMI ports, making it a pretty solid TV for gamers on a budget. It's on sale for just $319.99 at Target as of Sept. 16. That's a savings of nearly 30%. For what it's worth, it's also sitting at a similar discount at both Best Buy and Amazon at the time of writing.

Best budget TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Westinghouse Our pick: Westinghouse 50-inch 4K Roku TV $199.99 at Target
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're just looking for a solid 4K TV to stream your favorite shows and movies, this Westinghouse 50-inch Roku TV should do the trick for under $200. It may lack the bells and whistles of a fancy QLED model, but it will still offer a more than acceptable 4K viewing experience. And for most people, that's all you really need. The real benefit with this model is the convenience of built-in Roku TV, which brings you over 350 live channels for free, plus organizes all of your streaming apps for easy viewing. It's also loaded with four HDMI ports for streamlined connectivity.

Best splurge TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG 65-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,696.99 at Target
$2,699.99 Save $1,003.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For those looking to bring the magic of cinema home and enjoy the best possible viewing experience, you'll want to go for a higher end model like LG's C4 OLED evo 4K TV. A newer version of our favorite TV for gaming, the C4 features an updated processor, upgraded software, a 144Hz maximum refresh rate (vs. the previous model's 120Hz), and an even brighter and more dynamic screen. Plus, with an almost invisible bezel and the ability to display paintings, photos, and other content of your choosing, it can blend seamlessly into your space when you're not watching. Usually a splurge at $2,699.99, it's on sale for just $1,696.99 at Target as of Sept. 16, which will save you 37%. Currently, Amazon is the only retailer matching this low price.

More TV deals at Target

• Westinghouse 24-inch 720p Roku TV — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)

• VIZIO 32-inch D-Series FHD TV — $144.49 $169.99 (save $25.50)

• LG 55-inch UT75 Series 4K TV — $379.99 $429.99 (save $50)

• TCL 65-inch S5 4K Google TV – $379.99 $449.99 (save $70)

• VIZIO 50-inch MQX 4K QLED TV — $499.99 $549.99 (save $50)

• LG 55-inch QNED 4K TV — $749.99 $799.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 65-inch Q60D QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

After a year and a half of Copilot, the generative AI tool is getting to a genuinely useful place. That literal and figurative place is in Microsoft Excel.

At the Microsoft 365 Copilot livestream on Monday, CEO Satya Nadella announced Copilot features for the OG spreadsheet program and other 365 apps like PowerPoint, a collaborative "canvas" called Copilot Pages, and customizable AI Agents.

While the livestream was mostly meant for Microsoft's enterprise customers and not for the casual viewer (it was hosted on LinkedIn, for Pete's sake), there were plenty of features and announcements for every Microsoft 365 user to appreciate.

We've rounded up the takeaways from the event that you need to know about.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Google I/O, including AI Agents, Ask Photos, and more New Copilot features in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, and OneDrive

As mentioned above, Copilot for Excel is a noteworthy addition to the suite of capabilities. Copilot can help Excel users format data, help with common formulas like XLOOKUP and SUMIF, and visualize data in charts and pivot tables. It can also work with text, not just numbers, so users can search for keywords and phrases and analyze data accordingly. Copilot in Excel is live today.

Microsoft also shared that Copilot in Excel understands Python, so users who aren't familiar with the programming language can use Python without having any prior coding knowledge.

Copilot in Excel now knows Python. Credit: Microsoft

In PowerPoint, Copilot can generate an outline of a presentation from a prompt by pulling in your data from 365 sources. Then it can slot information into individual slides and design a presentation — even pulling in brand pictures or DALL-E 3-based AI-generated images. Copilot's "Brand Narrative" feature in PowerPoint doesn't have a launch date, but it's coming soon, according to the announcement.

Copilot's Brand Narrative tool does the heavy lifting of making a PowerPoint. Credit: Microsoft

Copilot was already used for summarizing meeting transcripts in Teams, but now it can also incorporate conversations happening in the chat. This feature will be available this month.

For Outlook, Copilot can prioritize important emails in your inbox and give summaries of what each email entails, and generate recommended responses. Sounds familiar? Apple recently announced a similar feature for its Mail app that uses Apple Intelligence to prioritize and summarize your inbox. Prioritizing your inbox will be available for public preview at the end of 2024.

Coming soon, Copilot can prioritize your emails in Outlook. Credit: Microsoft

Word also leverages Copilot's summarization and data gathering capabilities. With the Copilot sidebar, users can pull in work data from the emails, other 365 apps, and the web to generate drafts within your document. This is also now generally available.

Last but not least, the whole thing that makes it all possible is OneDrive, the cloud storage platform that stores all your work data — it's also getting an AI-powered facelift. On OneDrive, Copilot will help you find and sort through relevant files, and summarize them, so you don't have to click around looking for the file you need. This is rolling out now to OneDrive now and will be broadly available later this month.

Copilot Pages for collaborating on Copilot responses

With Microsoft's new Copilot Pages tool, users can share Copilot responses with other team members, and collaborate on a project in a freestanding canvas within BizChat.

"You and your team can work collaboratively in a page with Copilot, seeing everyone’s work in real time and iterating with Copilot like a partner, adding more content from your data, files, and the web to your Page," the announcement said. It eliminates the need for independent research within Copilot by allowing other users to build upoon the initial Copilot response.

Copilot responsive become collaborative with a new Pages tool. Credit: Microsoft

Copilot Pages are available through BizChat starting today, and will roll out to the free Microsoft Copilot version in the coming weeks for users with a Microsoft Entra account.

Copilot Agents get general availability

Unveiled last May, Copilot agents act as customizable AI-powered assistants for automating certain tasks. Similar to a Google feature called AI Teammates that was showcased at Google I/O, users can share internal knowledge and databases with agents and train to run certain tasks in the background. This could be creating an agent to onboard a new employee, or an agent that serves as a field service technician for troubleshooting on-site problems with machinery.

A customized Copilot agent can troubleshoot on-site issues. Credit: Microsoft

As of today, agents are generally available. With this announcement, Microsoft has also launched an agent builder, a user-friendly tool which helps users easily build an agent without the need for prompt engineering know-how. Copilot agents will be available through BizChat and will roll out to customers in the coming weeks.

TL;DR: Get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).

If you're tired of rising membership fees elsewhere, it's time to consider an affordable, all-in-one solution. For just $15 (regularly $50), you can become a Sam's Club member and unlock access to incredible savings, seasonal products, and an unmatched selection of quality items.

Whether you're shopping for groceries, home essentials, electronics, or holiday gifts, Sam’s Club is the place to be. And with auto-renew, you’ll never have to worry about losing access to the membership benefits you love.

Sam’s Club is more than just a place to shop—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Imagine a membership that not only helps save you money but also works hard to simplify your life and enhance your day-to-day experiences.

With Sam’s Club, you get access to a wide range of exclusive member perks that go beyond the shopping aisles. From travel discounts to prescription savings and member-only events, this membership offers more than just a cart full of great deals.

Planning a vacation? Sam’s Club members enjoy exclusive discounts on hotels, car rentals, and even live events. These savings make it easier to plan your next getaway, leaving more money in your pocket for the things that matter.

Need to fill a prescription? Sam’s Club also offers prescription savings, making it an essential part of your healthcare routine. And don’t forget the member-only events, where you get access to special deals and promotions that make your shopping experience even more rewarding.

By cutting down the time and money you spend on shopping, you’ll have more freedom to focus on the things that really matter, like spending time with family, enjoying your hobbies, or exploring new experiences.

Skip the rising prices at other stores and get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club $15 for a Sam's Club 1-Year Club Membership with Auto-Renew $15.00
$50.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

James McAvoy is joined by Scoot McNairy and 'Speak No Evil' writer / director James Watkins in laying out how their remake is different from the original.

Save 45%: For Sept. 16 only, you can grab refurbished AirPods Max from Best Buy for just $299.99. Compared to the headphones' full price of $549 brand new, you'll save $249.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple AirPods Max $299.99 at Best Buy
$549.00 Save $249.01 Get Deal

Apple unveiled new AirPods Max at its "Glowtime" event last week, but if you don't care all that much about USB-C charging or the new colorways, you can actually get essentially the same headphones for much cheaper.

Enter: Best Buy's deal of the day, which marks down refurbished AirPods Max in all available colorways to just $299.99. Typically, the retailer will offer these headphones refurbished for about $400, while new Maxes go for $549 at full price, and $394.99 at the absolute lowest price we've ever seen them. In other words, this is a really solid deal, and likely one of cheapest prices you can grab the AirPods Max for, but you'll want to act quick — the sale ends when the day is up.

SEE ALSO: Apple iOS 18 release date today: When you can download it

If you're hesitant on buying this 2020 model when the new AirPods Max just came out, we have to reiterate that we weren't exaggerating at the top of the article. The only differences with the "new" AirPods is that they have a USB-C charging port, and five new color ways. Performance-wise, they are the exact same headphones, with the same battery life, active noise cancellation, chipset, and design.

Usually, we don't recommend these headphones because their cost-to-feature ratio isn't competitive with other noise-cancelling over-ear headphones on the market. We don't like that they come without an audio jack or a case, and that their battery life is middling for headphones that cost over half of a thousand dollars. However, at $300, these cons are much more stomachable, and the value much more present.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

Plus, Best Buy states its Geek Squad certified refurbished products are repaired to a "like-new" state, and can still be returned within its standard 15-day window.

UP TO 25% OFF: As of Sept. 16, Target is offering 25% (or more) off select floor care items. Shop Bissel, Shark, and more.

Our top picks: Best Shark deal Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at Target (save $70 ) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) $199.99 at Target (save $30) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) $199.99 at Target (save $80) Get Deal

With Amazon’s Prime Day on the horizon, other retailers are dropping prices on popular items, like vacuums, small tech, and other gadgets — things that people usually flock to Amazon to buy during the bi-annual shopping event.

Right now, Target’s offering discounts on tons of cleaning and household essentials, including vacuums, mops, spot cleaners, and more. If you can’t wait for Prime Day or want to avoid the chaos, Target might be the place to shop.

Here are our top picks from the sale:

Best Shark deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at Target
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) is on sale for $129.99 at Target. That’s a 35% discount or $70 off the usual price.

This lightweight corded stick vacuum works on carpets and hard floors and can convert into a hand vacuum for above-floor cleaning. It comes with a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dusting brush, and the swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and into tight spaces.

More Shark deals

• Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop (S3601) — $87.99 $109.99 (save $22)

• Shark Steam and Scrub All-in-One Scrubbing and Sanitizing Hard Floor Steam Mop (S7001TGT) — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)

• Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum (LA401) — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)

• Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum (RV2310) — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

Best Bissell deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Our pick: Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) $199.99 at Target
$229.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) is a wet and dry vacuum that vacuums and mops the floor at the same time. It’s safe on tile, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood, area rugs, and more. Plus, the two-tank technology keeps the cleaning solution separate from the dirty water, so you’re not double-dipping.

It’s on sale for $199.99 at Target, a 13% discount or $30 off the original price.

More Bissell deals

• Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner — $99.99 $123.99 (save $24)

• Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Corded (3925) — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vaccum (2306) — $219.99 $269.99 (save $50)

Best Hoover deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hoover Our pick: Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) $199.99 at Target
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We don’t talk about Hoover vacuums enough. This brand has been around for years, yet Dyson and Shark seem to get all the buzz.

The Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) is designed to give your carpets a deep clean without the hassle of using a heavy, bulky machine (or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service).

There’s no solution measuring or mixing required — the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of cleaning solution and then sucks up the dirty water as you push and pull the machine across the floor. If you have pets, kids, or just a lot of foot traffic in your home, this carpet cleaner is a worthy investment at the sale price of $199.99 (29% off the usual $279.99 price tag).

More Hoover deals

• Hoover CleanSlate Portable Carpet and Upholstery Spot Cleaner (FH14000) — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Hoover ONEPWR Emerge Cordless Stick Vacuum (BH53605V) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

Big Tech's data hunger is even worse for the environment than its main players let on, according to a new investigation by the Guardian. The all-out push for AI (and the necessary processing energy it demands) is only exacerbating the demand.

SEE ALSO: How much is AI hurting the planet? Big tech won't tell us.

The new report analyzed real (or location-based) emissions from Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple's company-owned data centers, finding that their total reported emissions are likely more than 7 times (or 662 percent) higher than current reports. The disparity, according to the Guardian, can be attributed to what experts call "creative accounting" of emissions via renewable energy certificates (Recs). Purchased Recs allow companies to offset some of its electricity consumption to renewable energy-generated electricity (basically "cancelling out" its emissions). But these renewable energy sources are often not actually consumed by the company's perpetrating facilities or even those nearby.

Rather than a true estimate of emissions in a specific area, companies are using "market-based" emission figures skewed by Recs. Meta's 2022 location-based carbon dioxide emissions, for example, are 19,000 times higher than its official data center figures. The report also contends that it's "almost impossible" to assess if companies are including third-party emissions in estimates of data centers' environmental impact.

Amazon was notably left out of the 600 percent figure, but for good reason — the company is exponentially more of a polluter than any of the other companies, with Apple, the second-largest emitter, offloading less than half of Amazon's emissions. Amazon, aided by Meta, is also behind an industry push to keep Recs in the emissions accounting process. Google and Microsoft, on the other hand, have or are planning to phase out Recs from their reporting figures.

Globally, AI's environmental impact is still being negotiated, especially as AI outpaces typical cloud-based applications in energy consumption. Google recently revealed that its total greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48 percent between 2019 and 2023, with the majority of the increase pegged to AI investments beginning in 2022. X CEO Elon Musk recently came under fire for the operation of his Tennessee-based xAI data center (powering the generative AI chatbot Grok), which has allegedly been more than dozen gas-powered turbines without environmental permits. Environmental groups denounced the company for violation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s smog standards.

Prior to the "AI boom," data centers made up around 1-1.5 percent of global electricity consumption, according to the International Energy Agency, but it is expected to double by 2026.

Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, deleted a post referencing assassinations of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris early Monday morning.

“And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala 🤔,” Musk wrote. 

Credit: X / Mashable Screenshot

Musk's now-deleted X post quoted another X user who commented about what the FBI said "appeared to be an attempted assassination” on former President Donald Trump on Sunday. This would mark the second assassination attempt on Trump after a gunman opened fire at one of his rallies over the summer.

Musk was roundly criticized for his post. Some X users questioned why Musk still has security clearance, a privilege provided to him as CEO of SpaceX. 

In follow up posts, Musk initially defended his comment.

"No one has even tried to do so is the point I’m making and no one will," Musk said.

Musk eventually deleted the post. He now claims that the post was a "joke."

Tweet may have been deleted

"Well, one lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on 𝕏," Musk posted after deleting his assassination post. 

Tweet may have been deleted

"Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text," he continued.

Over the years, Musk has increasingly become seeped into right-wing politics and far right conspiracy theories. He announced his open support for former President Donald Trump after the assassination attempt in July.

While Musk has deleted his own post, he has continued to spread conspiracy theories about the reported Trump assassination attempt. Early Monday morning, after taking his post down, Musk boosted another far right-wing account that questioned why other recent presidents had not experienced assassination attempts.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 16: OUR TOP PICK Garmin epix gen 2 smartwatch $499.99 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal BEST ECHO DEAL Amazon Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68 at Amazon (save $61.99) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Apple iPad, 9th generation (64GB, WiFi) $199 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal BEST SMART DISPLAY DEAL Amazon Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal

With October Prime Day on the horizon, Amazon has unleashed a few deals to get us excited. These aren't considered early Prime Day deals quite yet, but they are almost as good as what we'll likely see on the big day(s). Brands like Garmin, Apple, Sony, and Amazon itself are seeing big price drops on Monday, Sept. 16 and we've rounded up a few standouts for you to shop.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to check back throughout the week. We'll be selecting new deals each day.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin epix (gen 2) smartwatch $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal

The Garmin epix (Gen 2) smartwatch is built for fitness fanatics. It goes beyond just tracking your heart rate and caloric burn; it tracks pulse oxygen levels, stress, body battery, respiration, recovery time, real-time stamina, running pace, heart rate variability, and much more. You can even follow along with animated workouts or take advantage of personalized Garmin training plans for your next race right from your wrist. And like any good smartwatch, you can also stay connected through smart notifications, download music, breeze through checkout lines with contactless payments (through participating providers), and get a snapshot of your day. Unlike the poor battery life of the Apple Watch, this thing will last up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode. As of Sept. 16, it's down to $499.99 at Amazon — that's 44% in savings and a record-low price it's only hit once before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

New to the Echo family, the Amazon Echo Hub is essentially the brain to your smart home. It's a full-featured control panel that offers instant access to all of your other smart devices — lights, cameras, switches, doorbells, thermostat, etc. Rather than keeping control locked inside someone's phone, anyone can play music, stream videos, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, adjust the temperature, or see who's at the door in one central place. It's typically $179.99, but for the second time since its release, it's down to just $144.99 — that's 20% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal

While we haven't tested the Sony SRS-XE200 yet for ourselves, we're big fans of Sony's other speakers and headphones. This lightweight Bluetooth speaker includes two x-balanced speakers, a line shape diffuser, and dual passive radiators, meaning it packs quite the punch in a portable package. It will last you up to 16 hours on a single charge, can quick-charge to give you another 70 minutes of playtime in 10 minutes, and offers personalized sound control in the app. The gray option is on sale for just $68 as of Sept. 16 at Amazon — that's 48% in savings and its lowest price on record by 99 cents.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th gen (64GB, WiFi) $199.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal

As a proud owner of the ninth generation Apple iPad, my biggest complaint is that I bought it while it was on sale for $224. It's now back down to its record-low price of $199 for anyone who wants to avoid feeling such regret. While it's not the newest iPad around (it debuted in 2021), it's still our favorite tablet for most people. It features the A13 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch Retina display, and up to 10 hours of battery life that's more than enough to power through basic tasks. I'm regularly surprised by how solid the battery life is. And for less than $200, you really can't go wrong.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

In the words of our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), "The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 remains the best Alexa smart display for most homes thanks to software-based audio enhancements and other subtle upgrades." Released in 2023, the newest Echo Show 8 improves on its predecessor's features, adding a centered 13MP front camera for clearer calls, a dynamic interface that adjusts based on your distance to the device, and spatial audio for more enjoyable listening. Snag it for $104.99 and save 30% as of Sept. 16.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

TikTok is set to begin its fight against a possible ban in the United States. The social media company will have a crucial day in court on Monday, Sept. 16.

A federal appeals court will hear arguments about the law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would essentially ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn't sell the platform. TikTok will have about 15 minutes to make an oral argument, which "could well be the most significant of TikTok's U.S. existence," CNN noted.

That's because the whole process is on a pretty tight timeline. A decision in TikTok v. Garland is likely by December, though the potential for more appeals remains.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the TikTok ban will likely play out in the courts

The government's argument centers on the notion that U.S. citizens are put at risk because it is possible that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to hand over their data. As The Verge reported in a detailed breakdown of the case, a good portion of the government's case centers on dozens of redacted classified materials—meaning only the government and the panel of judges have seen the apparent evidence. Much of the most seemingly compelling information in the case has been redacted from the public.

There's a bit of irony there, considering the entire case centers on freedom of speech. TikTok, meanwhile, has argued that it doesn't have precise info on users, and U.S. data is stored in the U.S.

The court case centers on whether a potential threat from a foreign nation negates some 170 million U.S. citizens' right to use a platform of expression.

ByteDance must sell by Jan. 19, so you can expect some movement on the case in the months to come.

GET $40 OFF: As of Sept 16, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods (3rd gen) for just $129.99. That's a $40 discount and only $10 away from the all-time lowest price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods (3rd gen) $129.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

I hate to admit it, but I’ve become dependent on my devices. My AirPods, MacBook, and iPhone are practically extensions of my body at this point.

Whether you’re chronically online (like me) or you need a new pair of earbuds without spending a fortune, the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) have dropped to their second-lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: AirPods 4 review: I flew 3,319 miles on a plane with active noise cancellation, but was it good?

As of Sept. 16, you can get the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) wireless buds for just $129.99 at Amazon and Target. That’s $10 away from the lowest price they've ever hit, which happened during July’s Prime Day sale, according to CamelCamelCamel. (Best Buy has them at $139.99 — My Best Buy Plus members can get an additional $7 off, but that’s still not as good a deal.)

The third-generation AirPods are sweat- and water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating. They feature spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, so the soundstage moves with your head for a better experience when you’re on the move or working out. You can get up to six hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the Lightning Charging Case (included).