IT General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Exploded

• Green: A ghost

• Blue: To foretell

• Purple: Musical recognition

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

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

• Yellow: Ruptured

• Green: Apparition

• Blue: Predict

• Purple: "Best ___ Performance" Grammy award

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 #818 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ruptured: BLEW, BROKE, BURST, SPLIT

• Apparition: SHADE, SPECTER, SPIRIT, WIGHT

• Predict: CALL, DIVINE, FORECAST, READ

• "Best ___ Performance" Grammy award: AMERICANA, CHORAL, JAZZ, RAP

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In stitches

The words are things made with a needle and thread.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things you'd handmake.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is KnittingProject.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 6

• Sweater

• Blanket

• Booties

• Socks

• Mittens

• KnittingProject

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

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

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Swelling.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BULGE

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A steep hill.

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

BUTTE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A Boston hockey player.

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

BRUIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To create.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BEGET

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To con.

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

GRIFT

Final Hurdle hint

To come together.

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

UNITE

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

Well-structured data in Microsoft Excel improves accuracy, facilitates more effective analysis, and is easier for not only humans but also machines to understand and interpret. Following these five tips is guaranteed to make your life easier, your coworkers happier, and your data pop.

The best vacuum cleaner setup is subjective, heavily hinging on how badly you want to do the vacuuming yourself, or if you'd rather have a robot do it for you.

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I love my robot vacuum with a livestream camera

Actual cleaning performance plays a huge role in how spotless your floors will be, of course. But if your vacuum is a pain to clean with, you won't feel like using it — whether it's an upright vacuum that's too clunky to get out of the closet or a robot vacuum that gets stuck more often than not. I have a handful of recommendations for both, but first, let's unpack which type of vacuum cleaner would be better for your living arrangement.

Should I get an upright or robot vacuum?

I could argue for both sides. Ideally, I'd recommend shopping strategically and splitting your budget between one of each type of vacuum. But if you're only choosing one, consider what your main priority for this new vacuum is. Is your ideal vacuum cleaner one that automates the most steps to give you as little work as possible, or is it one that does the absolute most meticulous job, even if you still have to do the work?

Trusting a robot vacuum to do this chore comes with the fine print that the robot vacuum is probably going to piss you off sometimes. Autonomy-related features like smart mapping, small obstacle avoidance, automatic floor type recognition, and debris level sensors have gotten quite perceptive over the past few years. But even the smartest robot vacuums I've tested are still inanimate objects, not humans with real brains.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuum brands are losing the plot with the latest 'innovations'

The obvious downside of an upright vacuum is that you have to have enough free time to use it, and be OK with spending some of that free time off the couch. Granted, the better the cordless vacuum is at cleaning, the less you'll have to get it out, and the less of a pain it'll be to whip around. But at the end of the day, if you detest getting your vacuum out, you probably won't vacuum too often — and that defeats the purpose of spending your money on a nice, new vacuum in the first place. For that reason, no corded vacuums have been recommended in this list.

After several years of pitting the top robot and stick vacuums against each other in my own home, I've pulled a few of each to create Mashable's ultimate mashup of all of the best vacuum cleaners of 2025.

We gave the cast of The Paper (Oscar Nunez, Alex Edelman and Gbemisola Ikumelo) a list of journalists from TV and film to staff their ultimate squad of journalists for the fictional local newspaper they would create. We gave them to choose from. Which journalist will they fight over? Who does Alex Edelman think is the worst journalist on the list? Could one of these journalists end up having a crossover on The Paper?

Let us know in the comments which newspaper squad you think would cover the best news.

The Paper Season 1 is now streaming on Peacock.

Liquid Glass, Apple's big new design language, is finally rolling out. Liquid Glass is essentially a new design concept that's built on the idea of layering software elements that look like actual glass, making for a design that looks more natural, rather than completely digital.

It's a pretty neat idea. The concept has actually been refined quite a lot over the past few months during the beta phase, after Apple announced the new design language at its WWDC 2025 conference. Liquid Glass still isn't perfect, but it has a lot going for it. Here are some of the things I like most about it, and one thing that still needs some work.

Simplified controls are nice The Safari browser in iOS 26. Credit: Christian de Looper

Part of the Liquid Glass redesign is making controls a little more simplified, which makes sense. Having translucent controls on a screen is cool, but if they're too big and too in your face, it can start to be a little annoying. There are a number of areas where Apple has seriously refined controls, and while it can take some getting used to, after using the iOS 26 beta for a while, I quite like the changes.

A good example of this is in Safari. In iOS 26, Safari has new Liquid Glass controls that are similar to the old controls when you first open the app, showing a URL bar, back and forward buttons, and a menu for additional settings. Once you start scrolling, however, the controls minimize to a small URL bar at the bottom of the screen, helping maximize how much of a web page you can see at a time. It looks excellent. To access the controls again, simply tap on the URL bar at the bottom or start scrolling up a little and they'll show up. Again, it takes a little bit of getting used to, but it works well.

The new Camera app in iOS 26. Credit: Christian de Looper

Another example is in the new camera app. When you open the app, you'll only see two different shooting modes: Photo and Video. That's handy for average users who don't need to access other photo modes, especially now that things like portrait settings are available in photos taken outside of portrait mode. The good news is that for nerds like me, those modes are still available. You just have to scroll to one side to access them. It's just as easy to access them if you know they're there – and the change helps make the Camera app a little less daunting when you open it up.

Lock screens look great The lovely new Liquid Glass lock screen. Credit: Christian de Looper

Liquid Glass has come to the lock screen too, and I really like how it looks. Things like notifications and widgets have always had some translucency, but the Liquid Glass effect helps make them look even more refined. 

All of the digital elements on the lock screen can have the Liquid Glass effect, including the clock, lock screen widgets, and notifications. They can be clear glass, but they can also be colored, which can look pretty cool depending on the image that you've chosen for your lock screen background.

Along with adding Liquid Glass to the lock screen, there's also the new spatial scenes feature, which gives photos a parallax effect that helps make them appear three-dimensional when you tilt your phone. It's a super cool feature and works very well.  And there's a new full-screen music feature that shows the album art and controls on the lock screen when you're listening to music. It can be enabled or disabled by simply tapping on the album art, but I like it a lot.

Apple’s software feels more consistent Liquid Glass is also coming to macOS Tahoe 26 and iPadOS 26. Credit: Apple

One of the best things about Liquid Glass isn't simply about how it looks on iOS 26, but more about how it looks across Apple's entire ecosystem of products. Liquid Glass helps tie together iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and iPadOS 26 in a way that previous versions of these operating systems didn't. Sure, Apple's software has always been more cohesive than others, but Liquid Glass helps take it to the next level.

That's not necessarily to say that the redesigns of these operating systems are amazing. There's plenty to be said about macOS 26 and the changes that Apple has made, but at the very least, I like that it has the Liquid Glass design built into it. And I really like how Apple has changed iPadOS partly with Liquid Glass and partly with new productivity features that help make the iPad feel much more like an actual laptop.

Apple hasn’t quite figured out Messages yet Credit: Christian de Looper

As you would expect, the Messages app is getting a liquid glass overhaul too, but I'm not quite sure that all of the changes made to Messages are that great. Like in other apps, menu bars have been replaced with floating controls. And in chats, you'll now get floating liquid glass back buttons, FaceTime buttons, and a label for the name of the contact or group chat. 

The floating bubble for your contact kind of looks a bit silly, especially considering how far down the screen the image and label extend compared to the back and FaceTime buttons. And, perhaps to better highlight these controls, Apple has added a kind of fade to chats, where they'll fade to white at the top of the screen if there's a light background, or get darker if there's an image or something else. It's really not a huge deal, but I think it's a little bit sloppy.

GET A FREE SOLAR GENERATOR: As of Sept. 5, when you purchase the Bluetti Apex 300 solar generator at Amazon on sale for $1,799 (reg. $2,399), you'll get a free Bluetti Handsfree 1 portable solar generator. That's $600 in savings, plus a free solar generator worth $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Apex 300 solar generator $1,799 at Amazon
$2,399 Save $600 + Get a free Bluetti Handsfree 1 solar generator Get Deal

Forget the noisy, unsafe gasoline generators of the past. We're onto bigger and better things now, thanks to solar power. Whether you want to power up your campsite off the grid or have a backup energy source during an outage, a portable solar generator is safer, quieter, and requires less maintenance. Bluetti offers some of our favorite options and for a limited time, you can save hundreds of dollars on a top model, the Apex 300. Not to mention, Amazon will give you a second solar generator for free with your purchase. Let's dive in.

As of Sept. 5, the Bluetti Apex 300 solar generator is on sale for $1,799 at Amazon. That's 25% or $600 off the list price of $2,399. As a bonus, since you'll be spending $1,500 or more, Amazon will gift you the Bluetti Handsfree 1 solar generator for free (a $249 value). In order to qualify, you need to add the Apex 300 to your cart from Amazon's promotional page. Once it's in your cart, click on the "benefit items" filter on the promo page and add the Bluetti Handsfree 1 to your cart. From there, you should see the freebie reflected at checkout.

SEE ALSO: Save over $800 on the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max power station at Amazon

There's no need to spend $1,799 on a solar generator just to score another one free. But if you're already planning on purchasing the Bluetti Apex 300, this is a helluva deal. Not only will you save $600, but you'll also get a freebie. It's a win-win.

The Apex 300 features 2,764.8Wh of power storage with 3,840W output, which is enough to keep your essentials up and running on camping trips or in emergencies. It claims to keep a laptop running for up to 150 hours or a refrigerator cooling for 24. With four typical AC outlets and two more robust AC outlets (NEMA TT-30R and NEMA 14-50R output ports), it's capable of powering heavy-duty appliances like washing machines, air conditioners, and water heaters. TL;DR: this thing is a beast. It's also designed to be expandable, so you can add to it to build a system to run your whole household for a week.

The Handsfree 1 solar generator is built to slide in a backpack and keeps your tech powered up on the move. It's perfect for outdoor photography, hiking, camping, and more. It weighs less than 10 pounds, can juice up five devices, and can fully charge via solar power in three hours.

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is down to just $12.97 (reg. $199) — pay once and enjoy lifetime access to Microsoft’s most advanced OS forever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03 Get Deal

If you’ve been hesitating on upgrading your PC’s operating system, here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: Windows 11 Pro is just $12.97 (reg. $199) through Oct. 5. Yes, you read that right — a lifetime license to Microsoft’s most advanced OS for less than you probably spent on coffee this week.

Windows 11 Pro isn’t just a basic update. It’s been designed with today’s professionals in mind, offering a sleek new interface, streamlined multitasking, and powerful security features that make it a real step up from Windows 10.

SEE ALSO: Windows 11 can link your PC clipboard to your phone

Features like Snap Layouts and multiple desktops help you organize work more easily, while advanced security tools like BitLocker device encryption, TPM 2.0, and Smart App Control keep sensitive business data safe.

And then there’s Copilot, Microsoft’s built-in AI assistant, which can help you tweak system settings, summarize web pages, or even kickstart documents and code suggestions. It’s like having an extra team member on hand.

Windows 11 Pro also shines in creative and entertainment spaces. With DirectX 12 Ultimate, gaming looks sharper and runs smoother than ever. Artists and designers get improved touchscreen and pen support, making hybrid devices more intuitive and powerful.

And since this isn’t a subscription, you pay once, and you’ll have Windows 11 Pro for life. Whether you’re running a business, studying, or simply want a smoother, more secure digital experience, this affordable upgrade is one of the most budget-friendly ways to modernize your tech.

Don’t wait until your old system slows you down — make the move to Windows 11 Pro and see just how far $12.97 can take you.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Use code LEARN by Sept. 8 to get a Babbel lifetime subscription for $159.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140 Get Deal

If time weren’t a factor, how many languages would you want to learn? Many popular language learning tools charge you every month, so there’s always a rush to learn as much as you can as fast as you can. It doesn’t exactly make for a fun experience. If you want a more relaxing way to learn a new language that actually works, check out Babbel.

They’re one of the most popular language-learning apps in the business, and the price for a lifetime subscription just dropped. Instead of paying $299, now it’s only $159, but this offer won’t last much longer.

What can Babbel teach you?

Babbel gives you lifetime access to beginner-friendly lessons in 14 different languages. That includes

• French

• Spanish

• german

• Italian

• Portuguese

• Swedish

And so many more.

Babbel lessons fit all throughout the day. They’re only 10-15 minutes long, so you can learn a little Turkish on your lunch break, practice your Dutch on the train home, or brush up on some Indonesian while you do the dishes.

Lessons are focused on real-life topics like dining, shipping, socializing, and business. That means you can use what you learn right away without slogging through months of memorization exercises.

SEE ALSO: Google Translate is using AI to help users learn languages

One of the most exciting new things Babbel is doing is their AI conversation partner. Now, you can practice speaking with an artificial native speaker who will respond. It’s like practicing with a real person, minus the pressure.

To help you retain what you learn, Babbel has their own personalized review sessions. That could hold you over until you travel abroad and get to use your language skills for real.

What language are you going to study first? Use code LEARN by Sept. 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Babbel lifetime subscription for only $159.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

On Friday, Roblox announced it would be launching a new social video platform within Roblox, plus new AI tools for Roblox creators.

The popular online game platform shared these announcements at its Roblox Developers Conference.

Roblox gaming clips and other short-form brainrot videos often go viral on vertical video platforms like TikTok and Reels. But, over on TikTok, they still have to compete with dancing videos, political talking heads, and viral AI slop.

Enter: Roblox Moments, a TikTok-like short-form video platform for Roblox players to watch and share in-game moments.

Roblox's announcements, especially its new social features, will likely come under scrutiny. Last month, Roblox endured a wave of headlines regarding lawsuits against the company over its allegedly lackadaisical child safety features.

Roblox Moments 

Roblox Moments is launching in beta for users 13 years and older, and it will act much like TikTok's feed, allowing users to scroll through viral Roblox gameplay moments. Users will be able to clip and edit their own moments, up to 30 seconds long, and share them to Moments for other users to view.

In Roblox's press release for Roblox Moments, the company quotes a YouTube announcement from last month regarding how Roblox-related content has garnered "over 1 trillion video views" on the Google-owned video platform.

Clearly, Roblox itself wants a piece of that action and is launching its own video platform for gamers to share gameplay videos.

Along with editing and trimming their gameplay clips, users will be able to add music and a text description to their videos, much like they can do on TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

Also, being that this is a developer conference, Roblox announced that it planned to release APIs for Roblox Moments, which would allow third-party developers to integrate new ways to capture, upload, and discover moments within Roblox games.

AI tools for creators

Roblox Moments wasn't the only big announcement at the conference. New AI tools for creators will also soon make their way to Roblox.

For example, creators will be able to enter a prompt regarding a specific vehicle or weapon they want their in-game character to use. Roblox's AI tool will then generate an interactive car based on the prompt, which their character can drive around in the virtual world. These functional creations are a significant upgrade from the static 3D objects that creators were generating in-game already

Roblox is also rolling out a new real-time AI-powered voice chat translation tool, allowing English, Spanish, French, and German-speaking users to more easily interact and socialize.

In addition, the company announced other AI-powered tools, like new text-to-speech and speech-to-text APIs for creators. The text-to-speech API will allow creators to integrate AI-powered voice narration and in-game character dialogue with at least 10 voice presets to start with. The speech-to-text API will allow users to control their characters in-game with vocal commands.

UPDATE: Sep. 6, 2025, 8:50 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to clarify that Roblox Moments is not a standalone app, but an experience within the Roblox platform.

SAVE $500: As of Sept. 5, get the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for just $3,996.99, $500 off. That brings it down to its lowest price ever, saving you 11% off its list price of $4,496.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 100-Inch Class QNED Evo AI 4K TV $3,996.99 at Amazon
$4,496.99 Save $500 Get Deal

Fall is TV season. As the sun begins to set a little bit earlier and the weather gets a little bit chillier, there's no better place to be than inside and on the couch watching your favorite show. With so much TV returning in coming months, it's probably time upgrade what you're watching on. And now is a good time to look for that upgrade, as we just spotted a 100-inch model down to its lowest price ever.

As of Sept. 5, shop the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for just $3,996.99 at Amazon. That saves you $500 off of its list price of $4,496.99. That's 11% in savings and brings it down to its lowest price ever.

The 100-inch screen of this LG, provides a huge canvas to watch the big game on. It's lit by mini LEDs with QNED color, giving more accurate and vibrant colors. It features an Alpha 8 AI Gen2 processor to help improve picture quality and with Filmmaker Mode, you can watch movies just as the director intended with calibrated color and frame rates.

Grab the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for its lowest price ever at Amazon now and save $500.

Isn’t it cool how your TV turns on when you enter the room? Okay, you probably don't have that, but TCL is hoping you will one day. The company is releasing the first Google TV to ship with Gemini, and it also has some crazy presence-sensing abilities.

A couple of months ago, we got an official preview of the Lenovo Legion 2 from a leak, which also predicted a September launch date. Well, it turns out that the leak was entirely correct because it’s currently September and Lenovo has fully announced its new Legion Go 2 at IFA 2025 in Berlin. 

The new Windows-based handheld gaming console looks impressive, and it offers upgrades such as an improved battery and a fancy new OLED display. Now for the bad news — it arrives with a $400 price increase over the original.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is available for pre-order now but won't be in players' hands until Oct. 31. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Legion Go 2 Gaming Handheld, AMD Ryzen Z2, 16GB, 1TB SSD $1,099.99 at Best Buy
Pre-order Here The Lenovo Legio Go 2: The specs and pricing explained

The Legion Go 2 retains the same general shape and overall design language of its predecessor, including the removable, Hall Effect joysticks of the prior model. The joysticks slide out along a hidden rail after you hit a button, which isn’t quite as elegant as the Nintendo Switch 2 and its magnetic controllers, but it's still appreciated. 

Under the hood, the Legion Go 2 comes with two sets of specs. The first is an AMD Ryzen Z2 with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD that gets you started for $1,099. This can be upgraded to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB PCIe SSD for $1,349. This is a sizable upgrade from the first generation, which had the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. However, the prices are quite a bit more than the prior model, which sold for $700 when it launched in 2023. 

Credit: Lenovo

While $1,099 is expensive for a handheld, it’s also hard to say how it compares to the competition. The long-awaited ROG Xbox Ally handheld launches Oct. 16, and we still don’t know how much that handheld will cost.

The new OLED display is definitely the most notable upgrade. The new Lenovo gaming handheld packs a beautiful 8.8-inch OLED display. The display features a 144Hz variable refresh rate (which can go up to a maximum of 240Hz) as well as HDR TrueBlack 1000 for deep blacks and brighter HDR colors. On the downside, Lenovo dialed back the resolution from 2,560 x 1,600 pixels to 1,920 x 1,200.

Credit: Lenovo

The increase in battery capacity is also appealing. The prior generation had a 49.2 WHr battery, which was good for around one to two hours of gaming at max power. Lenovo stuffed a 74 WHr battery into the Legion Go 2, nearly doubling the prior generation’s battery capacity. Of course, battery life won’t be known until the reviews come out, but a Lenovo press release promises a 50 percent increase in battery life.

In terms of ports, you get a headphone jack, two USB ports, and a microSD card reader for expanded storage. The handheld comes with three free months of Xbox's PC Game Pass. 

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is available for pre-order on Lenovo’s website and online retailers like Best Buy. The current release date is slated for Oct. 31, a couple of weeks after the ROG Xbox Ally. 

SAVE UP TO $120: As of Sept. 5, you can save up to $120 on a range of Sonos speakers and soundbars at Best Buy. Shop the Arc Ultra, Era 300, and more.

Best Sonos deals as of Sept. 5: Best subwoofer deal Sonos Sub 4 $679 (save $120) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Sonos Arc Ultra $899 (save $100) Get Deal Best smart speaker deal Sonos Era 300 $359 (save 490) Get Deal

It’s not often you see a major sale on Sonos gear, but Best Buy is offering up to $120 off a handful of products, including the Sonos Sub 4 wireless subwoofer. (If you prefer to shop direct, Sonos is running a similar promotion on its website.) The sale includes speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers (and the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale on the Sonos website).

Here’s a breakdown of the best deals.

Sonos Sub 4 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Sub 4 $679 at Best Buy
$799 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Sub 4 is on sale for $679 at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's a $120 price cut from the original $799 list price. Just be mindful of the end dates: the Best Buy deal ends on Sept. 7, while the Sonos deal ends a day earlier on Sept. 6.

The Sonos Sub 4 wireless subwoofer is designed to transform your living room into a home theater. You can pair it with a soundbar like the Sonos Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam to get dramatically deeper bass. If you're more focused on music and spatial audio, you can pair it with speakers like the Sonos Five, Era 300, or Era 100.

Sonos Arc Ultra Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra $899 at Best Buy
$999 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Arc Ultra is on sale for $899, down from $999, at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's a $100 savings. You'll also get four months free of SiriusXM All Access and free Apple Music for up to three months with the Best Buy deal.

The big upgrade here (from the Arc) is Sonos's Sound Motion technology, which uses 14 internal drivers to create an immersive Dolby Atmos spatial audio experience. It's designed to precisely place sounds around you while keeping dialogue ultra-clear so you never miss a word. Setup is simple; just plug it in and connect it to your TV with the included HDMI cable, and then open the Sonos app to complete your setup.

Sonos Era 300 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $449 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Era 300 is on sale for $359 at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's $90 in savings and, like with the Arc Ultra deal above, Best Buy will give you four months of SiriusXM All Access and three months of Apple Music for free.

The Sonos Era 300 supports Dolby Atmos Music and has six drivers positioned around the front, sides, and top. You can stream music from just about any service or device, and when you pair two Era 300 speakers with a Sonos Arc or Beam (Gen 2) soundbar, you can get a concert-like feel right at home.

It’s no secret that Microsoft is ending official support for Windows 10 in October. The tech giant has been chomping at the bit to get users to upgrade to Windows 11, and even allows Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

However, some folks really want to stay on Windows 10, be it for upgrade compatibility reasons or just to avoid the increasingly AI-forward Windows 11. They may also be stuck running a laptop that doesn't meet the system requirements for Windows 11.

If you fall into that group, you have two ways to get another year’s worth of updates for Windows 10 for free via Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This will grant guaranteed security updates until October 2026, giving you another year to either upgrade to Windows 11 or buy yourself a new PC. 

SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops for 2025 — tested and vetted

Microsoft initially planned to charge users $30 to enroll in this program, but backtracked on that idea after user backlash. So, take advantage of the offer while you can. 

But don't forget: If you want to stay on Windows 10 for free, you have to take action before Oct. 14.

How to find Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates

You may get a notification from Microsoft to enroll. If you don’t, here’s how to find the offer in your settings menu.

• Open your Settings.

• Navigate to Updates & Security and then Windows Update. 

• There, you should see a header stating that Windows 10 support is ending on October 14, 2025. 

• Underneath it is a link to “enroll now” in the ESU program. 

• A box should pop up with further instructions. 

If the ability to enroll is not available, make sure your PC is entirely up to date, reboot, and then try again. Microsoft launched this feature in August 2025, so it is fairly new to the menu, and people without the latest updates may not see it. 

How to get Windows 10 security updates for free

Once you access the ESU within Windows 10, you should be presented with three options to “pay” for the next year of updates.

• Cash in 1,000 Microsoft Reward points - This is the easiest option. You can learn more about how to accumulate points at the Microsoft website. 

• Sync your Windows Backup with OneDrive - Per our sister site PCMag, you can upgrade for free by syncing your Windows Backup with Microsoft OneDrive, though you will probably need to purchase additional cloud storage space.

Microsoft also allows users to pay $30 for the extended Windows 10 updates, as originally planned. So, if you want to keep this simple, just pay $30 and you’re set for another year. 

Once you access the ESU, you’ll be able to choose the one that works for you. Since you still have a month, attempting to accumulate the Microsoft Rewards points is arguably your best option. 

How long do the extended security updates last?

Exactly one year. Microsoft says that the updates will continue through October 13, 2026, and then Windows 10 users are entirely on their own. There are some additional rules to consider as well. The ESU updates will be only security updates, and therefore will not contain any new features or what Microsoft refers to as “customer-requested non-security updates.” Technical support will also be unavailable except for license activation and installation. 

So, in short, you’ll get the security updates and quite literally nothing else unless you upgrade to Windows 11, but at least you’ll have another year to make that choice.

Imagine this. You're in Austin, Texas, the one place where Tesla's autonomous robotaxi service is open to the public. You order a Tesla robotaxi in order to try the service out. After all, it's a self-driving car! You're living in the future.

And the Tesla robotaxi arrives with a human sitting in the driver's seat.

That's what's happening right now as Tesla seeks to operate its robotaxi under Texas's new driverless vehicle regulations.

In a post on Elon Musk's social media platform X, Elon Musk's robotaxi service replied to a user explaining how some robotaxis will now require a human "safety monitor" in the driver's seat on certain trips.

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"Safety monitors are only in the driver's seat for trips that involve highway driving, as a self-imposed cautious first step toward expanding to highways," the official Tesla Robotaxi account said.

Basically, human safety monitors are required to be present inside a Tesla robotaxi to supervise the driverless vehicle, make sure the software is performing as expected, and intervene if necessary. Typically, the safety monitor has been seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

However, under Texas's new regulations, if a customer requires the robotaxi to drive on the state's highways, the safety monitor must move to the driver's seat while the vehicle is in operation.

Texas SB 2807, which went into effect on Sept. 1, provides a robust regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles. Under this law, a human operator must be present within a driverless vehicle unless the state classifies it at a Level 4 or higher autonomy. 

As Gizmodo points out, the Society of Automotive Engineers defines Level 4 autonomy as a vehicle that can operate without a human "under specific conditions, such as within a geofenced area or on designated routes."

Despite Tesla calling its autonomous system "Full Self Driving," the state of Texas only classifies it at a Level 2, which means robotaxis are required to have human oversight at all times.

After Tesla's robotaxi launched in Austin in June, it only took about a week before occupants started sharing cautionary tales about the driverless service. Customers reported the robotaxis drove in the wrong lane, ran over a curb, and unexpectedly braked in the middle of a street for no reason.

Musk had touted a Tesla robotaxi service for at least a decade before it finally launched to the public in one single U.S. city this year. Regardless of the human safety monitor requirements and other issues, Musk recently claimed that he expects the robotaxi service to be available for roughly half the U.S. population by the end of 2025.

Philips has just announced a monster list of new products for its Hue lineup, part of an overhaul announced at the IFA conference in Berlin.

In recent years, the Philips Hue line has struggled, as cheaper smart lights (that don't require a complicated hub) entered the market.

The new products include smart light bulbs, the new Hue Bridge Pro, and not one, but seven new light strip products. Tucked in the announcement was a neat new feature called MotionAware, which will activate your lights when they sense motion. 

A press release states:

Built with a processor five times more powerful and a memory 15 times larger than the Philips Hue Bridge, the Hue Bridge Pro allows users to store over 500 custom lighting scenes and enjoy faster response times across the system. It’s powered by the new Hue Chip Pro and enables cutting-edge capabilities like Hue Motion Aware – an advanced smart feature that transforms Philips Hue lights into motion sensors which turn on the lights when motion is detected.

This new feature can be useful in a variety of ways, and the way it works is pretty neat, too. It works when using Zigbee by measuring fluctuations in the wireless signal strength that occur when a person walks through them. Once it measures this fluctuation, the lights will turn on all on their own without any voice or app commands. 

Credit: Philips Credit: Philips

The obvious use case for this feature would be having your lights turn on automatically when you get home from work or get up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water. However, this can also be part of a home security system. Someone uninvited coming into your home won’t have the cover of darkness as an advantage anymore, as any room set up for MotionAware will light up like New Year’s Eve as they pass through it. 

Per Philips, MotionSense can be set up in any room that has enough lights to accurately measure the aforementioned fluctuations and can be customized so that they only work during certain times of the day. Philips also notes that this is for indoor use only and can’t be used with lights in different rooms. 

Credit: Philips

So, while it is a very cool feature, you’ll have to invest in a sizable number of Hue lights to make it work. In addition, you’ll need Philips’ new third-generation Hue Bridge Pro, a nearly $100 upgrade that will enable the feature on compatible lights automatically. The updated bridge also adds more features to Philips’ Zigbee bulbs, like lighting scenes and out-of-house controls. 

The good news is that Philips says that the “vast majority of Hue products support Huge MotionAware technology.” Philips has a helpful list that shows the products that do not support MotionAware, so if your lights aren’t on the list, they’ll work for it. A cursory glance over the list shows that very nearly all Philips Hue bulbs and light strips are compatible, including the newest ones. 

According to a press release, most of the new Philips Hue products will be available in North America starting in September, with some products to follow in November.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret: Content doesn’t have to be complicated to connect.

My name is Ty Cole, and as a content strategist, award-winning journalist, and creative producer, I'm often working on the fly with no production crew. Sometimes it’s just me, my phone, a ring light, and the kind of lighting that only God and golden hour can provide. I mean, y'all seen my skin in some of my content? Flawless – thank my parents.

My process is super intentional but never overwhelming. I use all I can with what I’ve got (shoutout to my Aries queen Mariah Carey). If you know, you know, and I make it work for me.

The gear

A good selfie stand? Game changer. I even recently added a phone holder that lets me play with angles, and honestly, it's chef’s kiss. I can film a whole segment solo, get multiple shots, and still make it to an event.

I aspire to create content that is clean, clear, and crisp, even when I don’t use my ring light. That’s the beauty of perfect natural lighting and knowing your angles. For me, perfect lighting usually means golden hour—right after sunrise or before sunset—when the sun is soft, warm, and super flattering. 

But if I’m not blessed with that magic hour, I make the most of what I’ve got. I face a window, avoid overhead lighting, and always check how the light hits on camera before I hit record. It’s all about working with the light you have and not being afraid to adjust on the fly.

When it comes to creating, sometimes it’s a script, sometimes it’s vibes. I might hop on a TikTok trend with a voiceover that’s too good to scroll past, or I’ll just share a random thought that popped in my head at 2AM and somehow makes perfect sense in the morning. 

In my feed, I showcase the access—the fun, the exclusive, the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood. I post photos with celebs and videos of us laughing, connecting, and having real moments. Nothing feels forced. Whether I’m at a premiere or a party, I’m making sure the content feels like you’re right there with me.

Sometimes I just throw music over the video, and sometimes it’s a voiceover. Either way, I want the visuals and captions to work together to tell a full story. Something fun, something real, something that makes you feel like you’re not just watching me—you’re with me.

It might look effortless, but that’s because I’ve mastered the art of making it feel that way. It’s low-lift, but high strategy. It’s giving DIY director, editor, and talent, all in one. And you best believe I’m going to give you a show every single time.