IT General

TL;DR: The Acer Predator X27U F5 26.5-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its $799.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Predator X27U F5 Gaming Monitor $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300 Get Deal

Jumping to a QD-OLED display with a high refresh rate can get expensive very quickly, but Amazon has carved a sizeable chunk off one of Acer’s speedier Predator models. 

As of Aug. 20, the Acer Predator’s 26.5-inch F5 QD-OLED gaming monitor (X27U model) has been discounted to $499.99 at Amazon. That’s $300 off its original $799.99 price tag, for a 38% discount. Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, free delivery is estimated for Aug. 25 at the time of writing, and it even comes with the retailer’s usual 30-day refund or replacement policy if there are any issues. 

The Predator X27U F5 combines a 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution with a QD-OLED panel, delivering the deep blacks and punchy contrast OLED is known for. It’s especially great for competitive play, as its 500Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time are geared towards extremely high-frame-rate games like Fortnite and Counter-Strike 2. 

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Even when you’re playing the newest titles like Marvel: TOKON Fighting Souls, the included AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility help keep gameplay looking smooth and reduce tearing.

What’s more, this gaming monitor’s panel comes with another must-have feature: 99% DCI-P3 coverage and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, adding extra appeal for anyone prioritizing richer colors and stronger HDR performance alongside raw speed. 

On the off-chance you’re willing to spend a bit more, the massive 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is still $650 at Amazon. For anyone looking for an extra cheap monitor to have on the side, Samsung’s 32-inch Odyssey G5 gaming monitor has never been cheaper.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is on sale for $124.98 at Amazon, down from its $209.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box $124.98 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $84.72 Get Deal

The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box has bounced around in price lately, but Amazon has now dropped these trading cards below $125.

As of Aug. 20, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is ready to buy for $124.98 at Amazon. From its $209.70 list price, this takes $84.72 off in total, for a 40% discount, and puts each Play Booster at roughly $4.17 before tax. This particular listing is sold by third-party seller DOUBLE INFINITY GAMING, although Amazon handles the shipping. Free delivery is currently estimated for Sept. 2-9, with the fastest option arriving Sept. 2-6. Just keep in mind that Amazon marks the box as a final sale, so it isn't eligible for returns. 

If you'd rather buy from Amazon itself, there’s also a $139.99 listing sold and shipped directly by the retailer. 

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Walmart currently has the same Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box for $119.95 with free shipping, while TCGplayer goes lower still. Unopened boxes there start at $113.75, including shipping, just below the current $114.53 market price. 

Inside the display are 30 Play Boosters, each containing 14 Magic cards. Every pack includes one Traditional Foil card alongside one to four cards of rare or higher rarity, three to five uncommons, six to nine commons, and one land. 

Play Boosters are made with Limited play and drafting in mind, but the sheer number of packs also makes this box ideal for anyone wanting to tear through the Marvel crossover and hunt down heroes, villains, borderless artwork, and cards such as The Mind Stone. 

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

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

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

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

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

A group of three.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

TRIAD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A complaint.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRIPE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An animal that is used for transportation.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 20, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

HORSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To make fun of.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TEASE

Final Hurdle hint

Common description of an act that removes steam from car windows.

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

DEFOG

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

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is an interesting phone in a time when most phones are aggressively boring.

Flip it open in front of someone for the first time, and they will inevitably ask questions about it or ask if they can hold it.

When the pink colorway first appeared on the Galaxy Unpacked livestream, the Mashable group chat blew up — and we're a bunch of phone snobs with most of our feet firmly planted in Apple-land.

But the Z Flip 8 is more than a pretty face. While the new $1,199.99 price tag is definitely a big pain point, it's an easy recommendation unless you need Ultra or Pro-level cameras for creative or professional reasons. And if you do, you'll be paying a lot more for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra anyway.

Galaxy Z Flip 8: By the numbers Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This phone has mostly iterative upgrades over last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, and despite rumors to the contrary, it does have a new Snapdragon chipset.

• Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 4.1-inch HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Pink, cream, graphite, mint

• Unfolded dimensions: 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm

• Weight: 180 grams

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB

• Battery: 4,300mAh

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: Design Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The new Samsung flip phone is lighter and thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It still has ultra-thin bezels, and while it's not quite as thin as the excellent Galaxy Z Fold 8 (or the Z Fold 8 Ultra), Samsung did shave off 0.6mm.

When unfolded, it feels nice and light in your hand, and even when it's folded, it slips right into your pocket like a flip phone should. I'm one of the few phone reviewers who has hated the trend of bigger and bigger phones, which is why I held onto my iPhone SE as long as I could. I love the way phones like the Z Flip 8 and the Motorola Razr Ultra feel in my pocket compared with iPhone or the oversized Galaxy S26 Ultra.

For the Galaxy Z 8 series, Samsung also added flex titanium hardware, which results in a more durable hinge and less visible crease. The phone certainly feels solid, and the crease on the flexible display really does disappear.

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The phone also won me over with its charming good looks. This is a smartphone with good vibes. I love the pink color (which is more of a purple-pink than a bubblegum or millennial pink), and I really like the white color as well.

For a lot of reasons, I think this would be the ideal phone for a young person or college student, or as a starter phone for a cool teen, if your parents love you enough to splurge on a $1,199.99 device.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: Performance Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Last year, we complained about the Z Flip 7's Exynos processor, but this year, Samsung opted for the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset found in the Z Fold 8 Ultra. When we ran the Geekbench 7 benchmarking test, the phone received a single-core score of 2,658 and a multi-core score of 7,157.

That single-core score is actually a little higher than the Z Fold 8, though the Z Fold 8 had a higher multi-core score of 9,919. Its scores are also significantly higher than those of the Motorola Razr Ultra, the flagship entry in the Razr lineup this year.

What this means is that the phone can handle basic AI processes on the device without breaking a sweat, and you can run tons of apps at the same time without slowing it down. The processor is also critical for photo processing, which is one of the few pain points with this phone. I found the color and light balance to be much better on the Z Fold 8, but the Z Flip 8 actually performed better with digital zoom (we'll come back to this in the camera test section).

Samsung also redesigned the outer display experience from the ground up, and it's now easier to access apps and widgets when the phone is closed (though not all apps will work on the front display).

Galaxy Z Flip 8: Setup, migration, and software

Setting up the Z Flip 8 was incredibly easy. Assuming you already have another Galaxy device, you can quickly transfer the contents. You do have to scroll through and accept a lot of terms of service and other screens when you first boot up the phone, which was annoying. Samsung was also keen to stress that it has made it as simple as possible to migrate from iOS to Android, and overall, the phone has better compatibility with Apple devices.

Crucially for me, Samsung has introduced Quick Share, an AirDrop-like feature that lets you quickly and wirelessly send photos, videos, and other files to nearby devices, including Apple devices. I was able to select all of the photos and videos I took for this review and send them to my MacBook Pro work laptop in seconds.

Like last year, the phone is also equipped with a fingerprint sensor.

Setting up the phone Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth Galaxy Z Flip 8: The cameras are just OK

There's a simple reason that the Z Flip 8 couldn't be my everyday phone: the cameras.

The Z Flip 8 has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP selfie camera. By comparison, I got good results with the larger Z Fold 8, which has dual 50MP cameras. The Z Flip 8's cameras suffer in comparison, especially for a phone that costs over $1,000.

Samsung redesigned the outer display experience for the Z Flip 8. Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

If you're a professional who depends on high-quality pictures and videos (like, say, a tech journalist), this phone won't meet your needs. Likewise, even if creators love the design of this phone, it won't suit their video needs the way the iPhone 17 Pro Max would, for example.

However, for the vast majority of people, I think the cameras are good enough. Hence, why I think this phone makes sense for young people, or folks who prefer a small phone that disappears in their pocket.

The results of my camera test

Ultimately, I found that the Z Flip 8 sometimes oversaturated my photos, as you can see in this New York City park scene. The sky wasn't quite so blue that day, I'm afraid.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

I also found that in bright sunlight, some of the photos looked a little overexposed. The highlights were too bright in some cases, giving the photos a glossy sheen.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Strangely, the digital zoom on the Z Flip 8 seemed to work better than on the Z Fold 8, for reasons I don't understand. Both phones lack a telephoto lens for high-quality zoom shots. Still, it worked well enough, and better than expected in some cases.

Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

However, I did get great results with selfies, so long as I didn't rely on the front-facing 10MP selfie camera. One of the coolest features of the Z Flip 8 is that you can see a live video of the camera preview when the phone is folded, letting you line up the perfect selfie. This is so handy that I don't think you ever need to use the inner 10MP selfie camera, and I don't know why it's included at all. The drop-off in photo quality is very apparent.

Left: A selfie taken with the main camera. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Fortunately, Portrait mode works well, so long as you're using the main cameras.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A full suite of AI features

If you're an AI user, there's a lot to love about the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Thanks to the Snapdragon processor, you can get a lot accomplished on device.

With the Z 8 series, users get access to Gemini LM, which is a great perk. On top of that, you can get free six months of Google AI Pro, unlocking a ton more AI features (just be sure to cancel after six months if you don't want to be charged!).

However, the only AI feature I really find myself using on these devices are the AI photo editing tools, which work very well.

The AI eraser can help you eliminate unwanted pimples, photobombers, or other details from your shots. The tool easily erased a tote bag strap from one of my selfies, and eliminated people in the background of photos I took at a dog park.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

You can also have more fun with your photos, by adding fantastical details. Crucially, when you edit photos with AI, an AI content watermark is added automatically to your photo (in addition to a digital watermark), which I very much appreciate.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Is the Galaxy Z Flip 8 worth it?

While this isn't the right phone for me, I'm a big fan of foldable smartphones, and I had a lot of fun testing this phone. If you don't need a 200MP camera or 8K video recording (and who does, really?), then this phone will suit your needs just fine.

I do resent the $100 price increase for the new generation of Samsung foldables, but the global memory crisis has driven up prices on almost everything this year. If you can take advantage of trade-in offers from your mobile carrier, that should help offset the cost.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 $1,199.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Samsung See It at T-Mobile

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

12. Rosebush Pruning

Karim Aїnouz's satire of wealth comes to Mubi this week, with a major cast of rich characters fit to eat. Written by Efthimis Filippou (who co-wrote The Lobster, Dogtooth, and Alps with Yorgos Lanthimos), Rosebush Pruning takes us to Catalonia, where an affluent extended American family lives a life of bacchanalian excess. Like Succession and The End, there are childish grownups (Callum Turner, Lukas Gage, and Riley Keough), a haunted patriarch (Tracy Letts), and an outsider (Elle Fanning) who threatens the very foundations of this privileged life. What could go wrong? — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts, and Pamela Anderson

How to watch: Rosebush Pruning debuts on MUBI on Aug. 21.

11. Passenger

No more driving, thanks. I'll be staying put after watching the trailer for Passenger. The latest horror film from André Øvredal (The Last Voyage of the Demeter) follows engaged couple Tyler (Jacob Scipio) and Maddie (Lou Llobell), whose van life road trip takes a dark turn when they witness an accident — and become literally haunted by it. What is the entity leaving claw marks on their van? All we know is you'll be unlikely to ever stop for a bathroom break next time you hit the road. — S.C.

Starring: Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, and Melissa Leo

How to watch: Passenger is now streaming on Paramount+.

10. The Dynasty: UConn Huskies

When it comes to basketball, the UConn Huskies are synonymous with dominance. Look no further than their 12 NCAA Championships, or their 111 game win streak, both records across women's and men's programs. Now, step inside their locker room through the decades in The Dynasty: UConn Huskies. Apple TV's three-part documentary series offers an in-depth look at the rise of the Huskies, featuring interviews with coach Geno Auriemma and UConn legends like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd. If you love women's basketball, consider this a must-watch. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: KK Arnold, Geno Auriemma, Sue Bird, Paige Bueckers, Jim Calhoun, Swin Cash, Chris Dailey, Mickie DeMoss, Jana El Alfy, Jamelle Elliott, Azzi Fudd, Jeff Goldberg, Sally Jenkins, Steve Kerr, Rebecca Lobo, Jackie MacMullan, Maya Moore, Alexa Philippou, Shea Ralph, Semeka Randall, Jennifer Rizzotti, Breanna Stewart, Sarah Strong, Diana Taurasi, and Tamika Williams-Jeter

How to watch: The Dynasty: UConn Huskies debuts on Apple TV on Aug. 21.

9. Outer Banks, Season 5

It's time for one last adventure with the Pogues, as Netflix's hit teen drama Outer Banks comes to an end this week. In its fifth and final season, Outer Banks sees its core group at rock bottom. They're mourning the loss of JJ (Rudy Pankow), and they've lost the Blue Crown, which is now in the murderous hands of Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane). As threats from Corsairs and Kooks alike converge on the Pogues, they've got one last shot to take their future and their freedom into their own hands. You know what to do, Pogues. Bring it on home. — B.E.

Starring: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Carlacia Grant, and Drew Starkey

How to watch: Outer Banks, Season 5 is now on Netflix.

8. Conan O'Brien Must Go, Season 3

Conan O'Brien's completely silly comedy travel show is back for a third season, sending the comedy icon (and former Mashable CEO) to India, the Netherlands, Morocco, and the Philippines this time around. Watching O'Brien meet locals, take part in customs, and create tomfoolery in beautiful locations around the globe is the kind of travel show we want, nay deserve. And we very much hope that means more post-credit scene shenanigans. — S.C.

Starring: Conan O'Brien

How to watch: Conan O'Brien Must Go, Season 3 debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 21.

7. Buffet Infinity

Who's hungry? Simon Glassman's trippy, experimental horror satire takes a bite out of capitalism and consumerism, coming to Shudder this week. What started as a YouTube sketch made by the Canadian filmmaker during lockdown, Buffet Infinity is made up entirely of fake local TV ads, which weave a tale of rivalry between restaurants. And things get…weird. — S.C.

Starring: Kevin Singh, Claire Theobald, Donovan Workun, and Allison Bench

How to watch: Buffet Infinity debuts on Shudder on Aug. 23.

6. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18

The Gang returns for Season 18, continuing It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's reign as the longest-running American live-action sitcom. On their latest outing, Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (Rob Mac), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito) have their hands full with a twisted wedding, conspiracy theories, ADHD diagnoses, and a visit to the Renaissance Faire. As always, expect chaos and the worst decisions known to mankind. — B.E.

Starring: Charlie Day, Rob Mac, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito

How to watch: The first two episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 are now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FXX, FX, and Hulu.

5. Power Ballad

Writer/director John Carney (Flora and Son) returns with another movie about the space where music and feelings collide. Critics out of SXSW cheered his latest, but in my review, I yearned for his earlier films, like Once and Sing Street, which took bigger swings and were wonderful because of that.

SEE ALSO: 'Power Ballad' review: Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas fall short of charming

Power Ballad stars Paul Rudd as Rick Power, a middle-aged frontman for a wedding band who thinks his dream of rock stardom is long gone. That is, until a fateful meeting with a former boy band member who's going solo turns things around. The song they write together is a hit! The only problem is, Rick's getting none of the credit. Nick Jonas stars as this pop idol. And the two are fun together, but unfortunately, most of the hijinks of this dramedy keep them apart. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor*

Starring: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor, and Havana Rose Liu

How to watch: Power Ballad is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. The Audacity

From Succession and Better Call Saul writer Jonathan Glatzer comes The Audacity, a sharp Silicon Valley satire that originally aired on AMC and just hit Netflix this week. Billy Magnussen stars as data-mining CEO Duncan Park, whose quest for greatness leads him down some wildly unethical paths. Caught in the crossfires is his therapist, Dr. JoAnne Felder (Sarah Goldberg), who gets more than she bargains for when she tries to exploit her relationships with her "billionaire man children" clients.

SEE ALSO: 'The Audacity's Sarah Goldberg searches for the humanity in Silicon Valley

What follows is a delicious send-up of the tech world, bursting with questions about how Silicon Valley and its overlords have warped our humanity over time. It's a cutting commentary that manages to feel both heightened and close to home, all anchored by incredible lead performances. As I wrote in my review, "There are few joys in television greater than watching two great actors have it out, and you'll get plenty of that in The Audacity thanks to Magnussen and Goldberg." — B.E.

Starring: Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Simon Helberg, Paul Adelstein, Lucy Punch, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, and Ava Marie Telek

How to watch: The Audacity is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Toy Story 5

Woody and Buzz are back with Toy Story 5, but the real hero of this latest Disney/Pixar adventure is Jessie the Cowgirl (voiced by Joan Cusack). She's taken over as sheriff, leading the toys of Bonnie's room through highs and lows. But when a digital tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) appears, playtime could change forever.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Whether she is cheering for her friends or condemning her foes, Jessie is exhilarating, funny, and riveting. Cusack's performance is bolstered by a top-tier animation team who created a beautiful and gleefully alive cowgirl, and who have continued that careful illustration to a broader cast of characters. Perhaps predictably, Toy Story 5 is an unabashed crowd-pleaser." — K.P.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Blake Clark, John Ratzenberger, Ernie Hudson, Tony Hale, Conan O'Brien, Greta Lee, and Melissa Villaseñor

How to watch: Toy Story 5 is now available for purchase or rental on digital.

2. Mother Mary

David Lowery has wowed critics with a surreal array of films, ranging from the artsy A Ghost Story to the whimsical Pete's Dragon to the mind-bending The Green Knight. With Mother Mary, he offers two highly acclaimed actresses facing off over passion and fashion.

Anne Hathaway stars as Mother Mary, a pop star who's long been away from the spotlight. On the eve of her comeback performance, she returns to Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), a bold costume designer — and the best friend that Mother Mary betrayed.*

In my review for Mashable, I cheered, "Mother Mary is not only slippery, riveting, unnerving, and haunting, but also one of the most enthralling films 2026 is likely to reveal."* — K.P.

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Alba Baptista, Sian Clifford, and FKA twigs

How to watch: Mother Mary debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 21.

Best of streaming this week: The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE

Hello, fellow Beautiful Unwell. Still gagging over that Vampire Lestat cliffhanger? Still got his glam rock/pop songs stuck in your head? Well, ahead of The Queen of the Damned, AMC+ is now giving audiences worldwide a chance to see the one and only time star Sam Reid performed composer Daniel Hart's biting original songs live.

SEE ALSO: 'The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only – LIVE': Everything you should know

In my review of the concert at New York City's Beacon Theater, I reveled, "Reid's onstage persona evoked David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Steven Tyler, as he crooned, strutted, flipped his hair, flung a scarf, and generally oozed sex appeal with a crooked grin. At one point, he recreated the shoulder shimmy that drove fans wild in the Season 2 episode where Armand recalls seeing the vampire onstage, performing as a Harlequin for humans. The crowd caught the reference and screamed with appreciation. Occasionally, Reid would reach out a hand out to his audience. He'd crawl on the floor. He made the stage his own."

Now you can see it for yourself. — K.P.

Starring: Sam Reid

How to watch: The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE begins streaming on AMC+ on Aug. 23.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a lifetime license for Microsoft Office, just $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $54.99
$249.99 Save $195   Get Deal

Microsoft 365 costs more the longer you use it. Instead of paying $99.99 per year at a minimum, you can officially switch over to Microsoft Office to get many of the same apps for a one-time fee. Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business works on PC or Mac, includes all the latest AI updates, and lasts for life. Pick it up on sale for $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

This version comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, redesigned with a unified interface that feels cleaner, faster, and more intuitive, and it doesn’t require an internet connection to access.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Performance gets a noticeable lift with this version of Office. Excel handles large datasets more efficiently, PowerPoint lets you record full presentations with audio and video, and Outlook includes enhanced accessibility tools and improved search. Word introduces Focus Mode and Smart Compose, giving you a writing space that feels distraction-free and intelligently supportive.

Offline access and a one-time purchase might matter most of all. Your license is tied to your Microsoft account rather than your device, so you can keep using it continuously without subscription fees. You also get Microsoft’s built-in security improvements, including new protections against malicious add-ins.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer juggling multiple clients, or someone who prefers dependable offline tools, Office 2024 Home & Business gives you a streamlined experience that free apps can’t match.

Stop paying every month for basic apps and get Microsoft Office for life for $55.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: A quality refurbished Apple MacBook Pro from 2020 with a 13-inch display, Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD is on sale for $399.99 (reg. $1,999).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $399.99
$1,999 Save $1,599.01   Get Deal

Anyone shopping for a dependable laptop for everyday tasks without the new Mac price tag should take a look at this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro. The 2020 model has dropped to $399.99 (reg. $1,999), bringing a familiar Apple machine back within reach.

This MacBook Pro features a 13-inch Retina display, a 2GHz 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive. That’s a strong spec list for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email, streaming, document editing, and file management. Turbo Boost pushes the processor to 3.8GHz when a task calls for it, while WiFi and Bluetooth cover all standard connectivity needs. Above the keyboard, a Touch Bar puts app-specific controls within reach as you switch between programs.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Each unit is quality refurbished and ships in Grade A or Grade B condition. That means it’s been thoroughly tested, cleaned, and restored to full working order, with cosmetic wear that varies by device. For anyone open to minor signs of previous use, the value compared to buying new is hard to beat.

Students, remote workers, and anyone in the market for a capable travel or home machine are the natural fit here. Writing projects, résumé updates, and online learning all fall squarely within what this configuration handles, minus the premium that a newer model commands. Storage is generous at 1TB, so a full media library fits without an external drive, though the 2020 Intel generation does trail Apple silicon on battery life and heavier creative work.

Get this refurbished 2020 MacBook Pro while it’s on sale for $399.99 (reg. $1,999).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Serie A for free on SportyNet. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What do you look for when watching elite football? Do you need the speed and physicality of the Premier League? Do you yearn for the technical ability of La Liga? Or perhaps you love spotting young talent in Ligue 1?

If you are passionate about tactical discipline and defensive organization, Serie A is the league for you. Some of the world's best players have competed in this competition, including Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Paolo Maldini. The league isn't the powerhouse that it once was, but it still offers fascinating matchups week after week.

If you want to watch Serie A for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is Serie A?

Serie A is a professional football league in Italy and the highest level of the Italian football league system. The league is contested by 20 clubs, with each team playing 38 fixtures. Serie A is home to some of football's most successful clubs, including Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.

The defending champions are Inter Milan.

When is Serie A?

The 2026-27 Serie A season will start on Aug. 22. The season will end on May 30.

How to watch Serie A for free

Select Serie A fixtures are available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of Serie A from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Serie A by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Brazil

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Serie A fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of Serie A without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Serie A?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream Serie A for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A large collection of Apple memorabilia has gone up for auction, including a sealed first-generation iPhone, a prototype iPod, and Steve Jobs' 8th grade science fair project. 

The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction Part Two is currently live on RR Auction, featuring 212 items primarily from the tech giant's history. Marking half a century since Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple in the former's California home, the auction provides a look at a few early iterations of gadgets that are now ubiquitous in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Original iPod prototype was almost as big as a MacBook

Among these is an iPod development prototype, labelled the "Stealth iPod." This prototype allowed engineers to work on refining iPod's hardware and software, while still obfuscating the gadget's design during its secret development. The Stealth iPod is thus considerably larger than the version that went into production, measuring in at 8.5 x 12 x 2.5 inches.

Also up for auction are various documents and paraphernalia from throughout Apple's history, including bank statements from the year it was founded, a 1976 cheque Jobs made out to a circuit board manufacturer, and a few signs and displays featuring the old rainbow Apple logo.

Credit: Mashable Composite: RR Auction

Some of the items for sale come from Steve Jobs' stepbrother John Chovanec, whose mother Marylin married Jobs' father Paul in 1990 — five years after Jobs was ousted from Apple. Chovanec told RR Auction that while Paul had proudly preserved memorabilia from across his son's life and career, Jobs had been disinterested in keeping them after he died in 1993. As such, Jobs allowed Chovanec to take them instead.

"I told him several times about the school project display and that my mom really wanted him to have it," said Chovanec. "Steve would tell me to leave it where it was [at the family's California home]. I finally told him my mom was adamant as it was stressing her out so if he wasn't going to take it, I was going to take it to my house. This was the first time I had debated with Steve and received an intense look from him. He responded, 'Fine, but I don't want to be bothered about it again.'"

Chovanec thus held on to Jobs' 8th grade Cupertino Junior High School project on silicon-controlled rectifiers, and has now put it up for sale alongside various other items from the tech exec's life. These include a note Jobs wrote to his father on a NeXT business card (his venture after Apple), a 1984 Macintosh computer, a 1979 Apple II computer, and a rainbow Apple logo suncatcher.

Credit: RR Auction

This is the second Apple anniversary auction held by RR Auction this year, the first having listed 142 items in January. Of these, the item that attracted the highest bid was an Apple-1 computer prototype board, which ultimately sold for $2.75 million. Released in 1976, the Apple-1 was Apple's first product, back when it was known as the Apple Computer Company.

Similarly, the highlight of the current auction is a fully functional Apple-1 computer, which originates from the second batch Apple ever produced. RR Auction's listing notes that the computer's manual even has the name "Steven Jobs" pencilled in near the Apple Computer Company's mailing address, "apparently as a note identifying whom to contact at Apple." One of just 50 computers in its run, the Apple-1 comes with original documentation, all components and accessories needed to operate it, and is housed in a modified Smith Corona typewriter case.

As of writing, the highest bid on the Apple-1 is sitting at $225,500. This is also the top bid in the current auction, outstripping Steve Jobs' signed business card by over $100,000. Of course, both items are likely to sell for much more as bidding heats up closer to the auction's end. The Apple auction kicked off on July 24, with bidding on all items to close on Thursday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. EDT / 4:30 p.m. PDT.

Credit: Mashable composite: RR Auction

Though primarily focused on Jobs and Apple, the auction includes a few artefacts from other companies as well. Various displays from Twitter's offices are available, dating back to before Elon Musk took over and rebranded the platform to X. There is also a prototype Atari gaming console, and a flag from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 20, the Bambu Lab P1S Combo is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 9% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bambu Bambu Lab P1S Combo $499.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $49.01   Get Deal

The Bambu Lab P1S Combo is currently on sale at Amazon for its best-ever price, so if you've been looking for a 3D printer deal, don't miss out. As of Aug. 20, it's down from $549 to $499.99, saving you $50.

This 3D printer supports multi-color and multi-material printing with up to 16 different colors when connected to a Bambu Lab AMS. This makes it a great choice if you're looking to create more detailed and colorful designs.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It offers printing speeds of up to 500 mm/s and acceleration of 20,000 mm/s², so you significantly reduce the time spent waiting for prints to finish. That's more time to be spent creating new designs. It also has a fully enclosed design, helping to improve print performance.

But the best part? It can be set up in about 15 minutes, with a user-friendly design that makes assembly straightforward. You don't need to be an expert or have advanced experience with 3D printers to use and set this up; it's designed with complete beginners in mind.

Supported filaments include PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET, ABS, and ASA; PA and PC are also supported. Carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymers are not recommended.

Get this 3D printer deal at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising 3-Pack Blister is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon, down from its $29.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Triple Pack (3-Pack Blister) $24.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $5   Get Deal

As far as trading card expansions go, Pokémon’s Chaos Rising has become much easier on the wallet since its May launch, and Amazon has now brought one of its smaller sealed buys down to its lowest-ever third-party price. 

As of Aug. 20, the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising 3-Pack Blister is available for $24.99 at Amazon through third-party seller The Sports Card Zone. Against the $29.99 list price, that cuts $5 from the total for a 17% discount, with free delivery currently scheduled for Aug. 24-26 at the time of writing. What’s more, as confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-priced listing we’ve seen from a third-party seller on Amazon. 

That also puts each of the three Chaos Rising booster packs at roughly $8.33 before factoring in the included Charmeleon foil promo card. Each booster contains 10 game cards, one Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. It's a better deal than the $37.72 Amazon price we spotted for the same blister back in May.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Those three packs will give you the chance to pull Chaos Rising’s most valuable chase cards, currently worth up to $195 — including the SIR and MHR versions of Mega Greninja ex, Cinccino ex, and Mega Floette ex. Alternatively, you can also buy any of Chaos Rising’s cards from TCGplayer directly to save yourself some time. 

Speaking of three-pack blisters, you can also buy the Pokémon TCG’s Pitch Black 3 Booster Pack Blister for under $25. For even more packs at a reasonable price, the six-pack Perfect Order Booster Bundle is on offer at $10 off. 

The full lineup of free phones at T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Get Deal Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed). Get Deal Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience Beyond plan. Get Deal Google Pixel 11 Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed). Get Deal Google Pixel 11 Pro Free when you trade in your eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. Get Deal Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan (no trade-in needed). Get Deal Motorola Razr+ Free when you activate a new line on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed). Get Deal

Getting a new phone usually means paying for it, one way or another. But right now, T-Mobile is handing out some of the biggest names in the mobile game — the iPhone 17, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Pixel 11, Razr, and more — On Us, for $0 upfront. And you don't necessarily need a trade-in to get there — some of these deals just require a new line, or a new line plus porting in your number from another carrier.

The catch is that "On Us" here means the cost is paid off through monthly bill credits over 24 to 36 months. As long as you stick around for the whole term, you'll never pay for the device itself. Switch carriers or downgrade early, though, and the rest of the balance comes due right away.

Our favorite free phone deal at T-Mobile Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free with any-condition trade-in on Experience Beyond (up to 36 months of bill credits). No trade-in? Still free with a new line and port-in on Experience Beyond or Experience More. Get Deal Why we like it

What makes the iPhone 17 Pro deal stand out is how many paths there are to finding real value:

• Any trade-in + Experience Beyond: Free, no conditions on the trade-in's condition

• No trade-in, but porting your number: Still free with a new line on Experience Beyond or Experience More

• On a 55+, Military, First Responder, or Student Perks plan: Up to $900 off with trade-in (new line/port-in required on the discounted plans, trade-in alone works on Experience Beyond)

• Trade-in only, no new line, on Experience More/Beyond: Up to $830 off

• New line + trade-in on most plans: Up to $730 off

• Trade-in on a savings-tier Experience Beyond plan: Up to $630 off

• Trade-in on most other plans: Up to $300 off

• Legacy Simple Choice plan + trade-in: Up to $150 off

• Switching carriers and porting your number: An extra $800 back via prepaid Mastercard, stackable with your device discount

Bottom line: whatever your current T-Mobile setup looks like, there's almost certainly a version of this deal that gets you to $0 or close enough.

It's rare to see this many flagship phones from so many different brands — Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola — all free on the same carrier at the same time. If any of these phones have been on your radar, this is about as good a moment as you're likely to get to make the jump for free.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've been to a hockey game.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: EPL teams

• Green: Famous Houstonians

• Blue: Types of counts

• Purple: Songs after a score

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: London Soccer Clubs

• Green: Houston Sports Stars, Historically

• Blue: Can Come Before "Count"

• Purple: NHL Goal Songs

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 #696 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• London Soccer Clubs: ARSENAL, CRYSTAL PALACE, FULHAM, TOTTENHAM

• Houston Sports Stars, Historically: BAGWELL, BIGGIO, MOON, OLAJUWON

• Can Come Before "Count": FULL, HARD, PITCH, SILENT

• NHL Goal Songs: CHELSEA DAGGER, HOWL, LITHIUM, SHOUT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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 yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips 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 on to 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 with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, 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 20, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 20, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 20 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 20 Pips

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 20 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, 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.

The Moon is looking brighter than it did just a few nights ago. Tonight, it reaches its First Quarter phase, when half of the Moon’s visible surface is illuminated.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 20, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in First Quarter phase, with 52% of its surface visible.

Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Crisium, Tranquillitatis and Fecunditatis. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater, Posidonus Crater, and the Mare Nectaris. A telescope will also help you spot the Apollo 17 landing spots, the Rima Hyginus, and the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon goes through a series of phases that cause its appearance to change as seen from Earth. As the Moon orbits Earth, it goes through a lunar cycle that takes about 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon determine how much of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from Earth, creating its different phases. Throughout the cycle, the Moon changes from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before repeating the cycle once more.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you still have your HS yearbook.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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: Answer, hints for August 20, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Spilt Superlatives...

The words are related adjectives you might find in a yearbook.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe idioms/phrases that describe someone that's excellent.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is You're The.

NYT Strands word list for August 20

• Bees

• Knees

• Cats

• Pajamas

• Very

• Best

• Gold

• Standard

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've been stuck in an overhanging fog.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 20, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 20, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Low visibility likely caused by fog.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MURKY

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

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

Stop me if you've heard this before: "I don't have enough time in the day." I don't have the stats, but I'll go out on a limb to say that 99% of us, including myself, have muttered that common phrase before. In my case, I talk about not having enough time when it comes to streaming. I watch a lot of shows for work, but I struggle to find things to stream when pressed for time. That could mean having some time during a lunch break or needing to wind down before bed, for example.

TL;DR: Through August 23, you can get Microsoft Office for life for only $42.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $42.97
$219 Save $176.03   Get Deal

Software subscriptions are only a good option if you won’t be using the apps for long. For apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that you’ll be using indefinitely, buying them outright is a much smarter option. Right now, you can even pick up a lifetime license for Microsoft Office on sale for only $42.97. That’s less than half the price of a single year of Microsoft 365, but this offer ends soon.

Most people have been using Microsoft Office long before cloud apps and browser-based alternatives became the norm. With this deal, you can install the full Office suite on a single device for lifetime use at home or at work without worrying about monthly renewals, annual price hikes, or surprise charges down the line.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This license includes all the core apps most people actually rely on: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. That means drafting documents, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing email, and organizing notes using the full desktop versions of each app. Unlike free alternatives or web-based tools, you get access to the complete feature sets, which makes a difference when you’re working on longer documents, detailed spreadsheets, or presentation-heavy projects.

Once you purchase, your license key and download links are delivered instantly, so there’s no waiting around to get started. Microsoft also includes lifetime customer support, which can be helpful if you ever need assistance with installation or troubleshooting.

Instead of committing to yet another recurring subscription, this one-time purchase lets you snag software you’ll likely keep using for years.

Get Microsoft Office for life on sale for only $42.97. Sale ends Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NASA's Hail Mary attempt to rescue a falling spacecraft has failed, leaving scientists to grieve the eventual loss of a key space telescope later this year. 

The space agency hired Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies to build a small servicing spacecraft to push the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory about 150 miles higher, into a safer orbit. The contractor had less than a year to build and plan the urgent mission. Their rescue craft, called LINK, launched on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket on July 3. 

But ongoing problems with LINK's "attitude control" system — the orientation equipment — since then mean the mission will not capture and boost Swift as planned, officials announced Wednesday. 

The demise of the NASA spacecraft, which will likely burn up in Earth's atmosphere in a matter of months, will eliminate a crucial telescope for catching brief, one‑time‑only events in the sky. In its absence, scientists will have fewer tools to chase the most powerful explosions in the universe, called gamma-ray bursts, as well as black hole flares and changing comets. 

"This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting," said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman in a statement. "The team moved with extraordinary speed to give Swift a chance to carry out more science while advancing capabilities America will need for satellite servicing in the future."

SEE ALSO: NASA: SpaceX rocket crash made basketball court-size moon crater

For nearly two decades, Swift was on the lookout for gamma-ray bursts, brief blasts of high‑energy light that can outshine entire galaxies for a few seconds. It launched in 2004 into low-Earth orbit, a few hundred miles above the planet, and was only supposed to run for two years. 

Swift outlived predictions and became the go-to first responder for ephemeral cosmic events over the years, whipping around in less than a minute to new targets of interest.

Though the observatory had been going strong, with all of its instruments still in good shape, a combination of solar storms and a thickening upper atmosphere dragged the spacecraft down and made it unstable. That quashed earlier hopes that it could continue working into the 2030s. 

Katalyst officials said the team will still try to carry out a close flyby with LINK, short for Lightweight In-space Navigation and Kinematics, to test navigation and docking techniques for future satellite servicing missions.

"We took on this high-risk, high-reward challenge and are proud of the milestones we reached along the way. We have already learned a tremendous amount," said Katalyst CEO Ghonhee Lee in a statement. "Now our job is to turn those lessons into something durable — building a repeatable playbook to inform future rendezvous and proximity operations and satellite servicing."

NASA repeatedly described the effort as a "first‑of‑its‑kind" mission on an unusually short timetable. They have framed the project as a step toward an era where future spacecraft might include standard attachment points and replaceable parts, so small robotic "space mechanics" can fix or refuel them instead of letting expensive hardware burn up in the atmosphere. 

"NASA should be willing to move quickly and take smart risks when the potential return is worth it, and that is exactly what we did with this mission," Isaacman said.