Technology

TL;DR: Watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The problem with pre-season friendlies is that they don't really matter. You get a lot of experimentation and teams that aren't fully committed. That's just the way it is. Teams don't want to lose their best players to injury before the season has even started.

That being said, Leeds United vs. Manchester United looks like a thrilling fixture that probably won't be all that "friendly." These sides go way back, and we expect a competitive game as they look to sharpen up before the Premier League returns.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Leeds United vs. Manchester United?

Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 12. This fixture takes place at Croke Park.

How to watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free

Leeds United vs. Manchester United in a 2026 pre-season friendly is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Leeds United vs. Manchester United without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 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 — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Leeds United vs. Manchester United for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Texas with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Texas. In response, Pornhub has blocked users in those locations from accessing their site. That means millions of users in Texas (and around the world) are now unable to access Pornhub.

There are complicated reasons for this situation, but the workaround is simple. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Texas, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Texas

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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 — 81% 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 money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Texas with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We've been blessed with a summer of football, but there's still something special about the return of domestic football. We're incredibly excited about the return of the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and of course, the Champions League. But before those competitions get started, we've got the UEFA Super Cup to enjoy.

Champions League winners PSG face off against Europa League champions Aston Villa in this showpiece event. We're expecting a thrilling matchup between two attacking sides that will want to start their seasons with a trophy.

If you want to watch PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is PSG vs. Aston Villa?

PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 12. This fixture takes place at the Red Bull Arena Salzburg.

How to watch PSG vs. Aston Villa for free

PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream PSG vs. Aston Villa for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch PSG vs. Aston Villa for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the UEFA Super Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream PSG vs. Aston Villa before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 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 — 81% 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 money-back guarantee).

Live stream PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

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 12, 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 12, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 12 Pips

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 2-0, 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.

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: Pretending

• Green: Goes by one name

• Blue: Before the catch

• Purple: MLB trade deadline players

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Fake a Foul

• Green: Mononymic Athletes

• Blue: Comes Before "Catch"

• Purple: Pitchers Dealt Ahead of This Year's MLB Trade Deadline

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 #688 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Fake a Foul: ACT, DIVE, EMBELLISH, FLOP

• Mononymic Athletes: ICHIRO, LEBRON, SERENA, TIGER

• Comes Before "Catch": BASKET, CONTESTED, FAIR, SHOESTRING

• Pitchers Dealt Ahead of This Year's MLB Trade Deadline: EARLY, RAY, SKUBAL, WEAVER

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you watch a lot of cable TV.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 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: Feel this

• Green: Frogs

• Blue: TV last names

• Purple: Doing alright

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Hold Onto, As a Feeling

• Green: Kinds of Frogs

• Blue: NBC Sitcom Surnames

• Purple: Starting with Affirmative Responses

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 #1158 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Hold Onto, As a Feeling: FOSTER, HARBOR, MAINTAIN, NURSE

• Kinds of Frogs: BULL, GREEN, POISON DART, TREE

• NBC Sitcom Surnames: BENES, BING, LEMON, SCOTT

• Starting with Affirmative Responses: FINE PRINT, GOODBYE, GREAT WHITE, OKAYAMA

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 7, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 Connections.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've been around a cowardly person.

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 7, 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 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Weak and timid.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccuring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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...

WIMPY

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

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 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Making a difference

The words are related to donation.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe charitable actions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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 Philanthropy.

NYT Strands word list for August 12

• Contribute

• Grant

• Give

• Endow

• Bestow

• Donate

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.

What did you think of that massive House of the Dragon season 3 finale? Betrayals, big character deaths, dragon action—what more could you want?! Oh, you already want something else to watch on HBO Max? I get it. Well, while Lanterns is days away and season 5 of Abbott Elementary even longer, the pickings are a bit slim, but there's still some good TV to watch that might surprise you.

TL;DR: UmanWrite is an AI tool that turns generic AI writing into more natural prose, and it’s only $79 for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: UmanWrite UmanWrite All-in-One AI Writing Platform: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan/Unlimited Words) $79
$1,799 Save $1,720   Get Deal

Whether you’re using Claude or GPT, AI writing usually sounds like AI writing. It’s clinical and awkward, but that doesn’t mean you have to manually edit every piece of content AI produces. UmanWrite is a new tool that humanizes AI writing, using more natural language to keep your audience reading rather than wondering whether you had a human writer or a robot.

Right now, you can even pick up a UmanWrite lifetime subscription on sale for $79 (reg. $1,799).

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UmanWrite’s AI Humanizer rewrites machine-generated text into writing that sounds like an actual person. The built-in AI Detector scans each draft for the types of patterns detectors look for before you ever publish. These are subtle trends you might not notice while reading, but you never know if algorithms will ding you for having them in your content.

A grammar checker cleans up common errors and evises for clarity and readability in the same pass, so a rough draft becomes publication-ready without switching between three separate apps.

For students, freelancers, and marketers who lean on AI but still need their writing to sound like them, having humanizing, checking, and voice-matching in one place saves a ton of time.

Voice Profiles are a unique angle UmanWrite has that other tools don’t. You feed the platform samples of your own writing, and it trains on your tone and vocabulary, so later drafts read the way you write. You can train an unlimited number of them, one for each client or project, and every edit you make teaches the tool a little more about your style. Context-aware writing then adjusts each draft to the audience and purpose you set.

Most writing tools cap your word count and bill you every month. This lifetime plan runs unlimited monthly words with requests up to 2,500 words at a time, and no recurring fee once you buy in.

Stop paying every month for a tool that caps your work. Get a UmanWrite lifetime subscription on sale for $79.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In 1997, on a Shinkansen bullet train running between Tokyo and Nagoya, then-Volkswagen AG CEO Ferdinand Piëch grabbed an envelope and sketched an engine that had been on his mind for a while. He had just finished talking with Karl-Heinz Neumann, the automaker's head of powertrain development, about the VR6, Volkswagen's narrow-angle six-cylinder engine, compact enough to fit transversely even in a Golf.

There are countless project management apps out there, but many of them are packed with features I never use. So I asked Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot to build a Kanban board that worked offline, saved my data locally, and didn't require yet another subscription. I gave all three the same prompt and tested the results, and they all created working apps. But the one I liked most surprised me.

By now, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber in the U.S., you should have already had your way with Masters of the Universe and Project Hail Mary, both of which are still all over the Top 10 charts. The real question is, what to watch next.

The latest beta release for the iPhone's operating system, iOS 27 beta 5, is here.

With this release from Apple come some design changes and feature updates. However, new features and design tweaks aren't the biggest news to come with this new beta release. iOS 27 beta 5 provides references to 6 unreleased iPhone models, essentially confirming the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup for the very first time.

What's new with iOS 27 beta 5?

The most visual updates with iOS 27 beta 5 are new icons for several major Apple apps. Safari, Siri, Preview, App Store and Remote app icons have all received updates. Some other apps have received more minor Liquid Glass-related tweaks.

Siri's AI update continues to receive upgrades as well. iOS 27 beta 5 brings more voice customization options. Pace and Expressivity can now be adjusted for all of the available American English voices and the British English voices as well.

Contacts also received a slight upgrade. If a company is associated with a specific contact, Contacts will now show that company name under the contact's name and in the search results.

Apple is providing users with more control over the Search function on their iPhone in iOS 27 beta 5. Users can choose whether app results appear in Search. If turned on, users can also control whether Search results show four or eight apps. There's a new "Search the Web" option at the bottom of Search results too.

There's a slew of additional smaller updates as well. For example, Software Update will now let users know when the last update was installed on their iPhone, the Clock app uses a thicker font for Alarms and Timers, and Control Center no longer displays cellular network information while the iPhone is connected to WiFi.

SEE ALSO: iPhone Fold September debut looks increasingly likely, report reveals iOS 27 beta 5 makes the iPhone 18 lineup 'official'

There have been plenty of leaks, rumors, and speculation regarding Apple's upcoming new iPhone lineup. However, the iOS 27 beta 5 provides some of the strongest evidence yet that those devices are on the way. For the very first time, iPhone system files make references to 6 new iPhone models, alongside the existing iPhones. The new iPhones are referred to as V62, V63, V64, V67, V68, and V69.

Previous leaks and reporting indicate that those identifiers line up with the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18, the rumored foldable iPhone that may be called the iPhone Ultra, and iPhone 18e respectively.

SEE ALSO: All the foldable iPhone Ultra hints in the iOS 27 beta

If you'd like to update your iPhone to the iOS 27 beta 5 release, open the Settings app, tap General, and select Software Update. After that, select the iOS 27 Developer Beta under Beta Updates and your iPhone will be able to update to the latest beta version.

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Google returns to New York on Wednesday, Aug. 12, for its annual Made by Google hardware event, and this year the show arrives with an unusually thin veil of secrecy. Between official teasers and a steady drip of leaks, most of the headline details about the Pixel 11 lineup are already circulating — leaving the live keynote to mostly confirm what's already known.

This year's event also comes with a notable format shift. Comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah is set to emcee the show, joined by a sprawling guest list that includes Stephen Curry, Alex Cooper, Shubman Gill, Peggy Gou, Jesser, JuJu Watkins, Chari Hawkins, and PinkPantheress, according to Android Authority. That's a departure from last year, when Made by Google was presented as a non-canon Tonight Show segment with Jimmy Fallon rather than a standalone keynote.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect.

When and how to watch

The keynote streams live on the Made by Google YouTube channel, with a mirrored feed on the Google Store, starting at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Aug. 12. That's a notably later start than in previous years. The Pixel 10 event, for example, began at 1 p.m. ET. International viewers will also need to plan around it: The event begins at 11 p.m. in the UK, midnight in continental Europe, and 3:30 a.m. IST on Aug. 13.

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Adding to the unusual scheduling, both The Verge and Android Authority note that Google and Best Buy had published a Pixel 11 preorder countdown set to expire at 10 a.m. ET — roughly eight hours before the keynote even begins. So expect most news about the Pixel 11 series to be on the web before the show starts.

Pixel 11 lineup

Expect to see these four phones showcased during the livestream:

• Pixel 11

• Pixel 11 Pro

• Pixel 11 Pro XL

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold

The Verge and Tech Advisor both frame these as largely iterative updates rather than a redesign. The Verge notes that the phones should look similar to the Pixel 10 series, though with a camera bar that is black all the way across.

Reporting from several outlets points to a new Tensor G6 chip as the headline internal upgrade. Digital Trends reports that it will be Google's first chip built on a 2-nanometer process by TSMC, which could make the Pixel 11 one of the very first smartphones on the market to use that manufacturing process. Android Authority adds that the chip is said to use newer Arm C1 cores, a PowerVR GPU, and — notably — switch from Samsung-derived modems to MediaTek's M90 modem, a move the outlet suggests could help address long-standing Pixel complaints about heat, battery life, and connectivity.

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Google is also reportedly planning to drop the 128GB base storage tier in favor of 256GB as the new minimum for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro. Early listings also point to 12GB of RAM in the Pixel 11 Pro, a drop from the 16GB found in the Pixel 10 Pro and a potentially notable reduction given Google's AI ambitions for the phone.

On the camera front, Android Authority reports that the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are expected to keep a triple-camera setup (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide with macro, and a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom), with digital zoom reportedly reaching as high as 120x. New camera software said to be in the works includes an improved Cinematic Blur mode, video relighting, 4K/30fps capture, and an Ultra Low Light video mode. Digital Trends notes that the standard Pixel 11's camera specs remain contested among leakers, with some reports describing only two rear cameras and others insisting the telephoto lens will remain.

Android Authority also reports that the foldable is expected to have an 8-inch inner display and a slimmer folded profile of 10.1mm. Digital Trends adds that it may gain a telephoto lens for the first time and that the battery may actually shrink slightly to 4,750mAh, offset, in theory, by the more efficient chip. Notably, multiple outlets suggest that the Fold could ship around the same time as the rest of the lineup this year (Android Authority cites an Aug. 20 rumor) rather than arriving weeks later, as it has in the past.

Pricing

Price increases across the board appear all but certain. Digital Trends reports that Google's VP of devices and services, Shakil Barkat, has already confirmed that pricing adjustments are coming due to rising component costs, without giving exact figures. The Verge similarly notes that a Google executive told 9to5Google the pricing "adjustments" are tied to a broader industry memory crisis. Here are the likely starting prices:

• Pixel 11 — $899

• Pixel 11 Pro — $1,099

• Pixel 11 Pro XL — $1,299

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold — $1,899

Colors

Tech Advisor highlights color options as one of the more distinctive parts of this year's refresh, given how incremental the hardware changes otherwise appear: a bright pink option for the standard Pixel 11, a "Dune" hero color with a gold frame for the Pro models, and a new matte-black take on Obsidian, sometimes referred to as "Midnight Haze."

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The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to keep the familiar round design of its predecessor, according to Digital Trends, with only modest internal changes. Android Authority and The Verge both cite leaked specs pointing to a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 "Accelerated" chip, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage — double the previous model's capacity. Battery life is expected to remain roughly the same as that of the Pixel Watch 4, at 30 and 40 hours for the 41mm and 45mm sizes, respectively.

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Tech Advisor describes the new watch as having "done a Pixel 10a" by being nearly identical to its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 4. Owners are unlikely to feel compelled to upgrade if that's the case.

Pricing leaks cited across several outlets suggest that the 41mm model could start at around $399, up from $349.99, while the 45mm model could start at around $429, up from $399.99.

There are also mentions of a Pixel Watch 5 Steph Curry Special Edition. It's reportedly just a special-edition watch band, likely U.S.-only and limited to the larger case size — tying into Curry's expected appearance at the event.

The HiLight feature

Several outlets single out a new lighting feature, variously reported under the working names "Pixel Glow" and, more recently, "HiLight." It is one of the more talked-about additions, even if opinions differ on how useful it will actually be.

The Verge and Android Authority both report that the feature is housed in the camera-bar flash, which reportedly doubles as an RGB light capable of glowing in different colors — for instance, to signal a call from a specific contact or indicate an active conversation with Gemini. The Verge notes that code spotted in Google's Contacts app appears to confirm the "HiLight" name and per-contact color customization. Android Authority reports that the feature is exclusive to the Pro models and effectively replaces the temperature sensor found on the camera bar of previous-generation phones.

Not everyone is convinced that it will be a major selling point. Tech Advisor is openly skeptical, arguing that, as currently described, HiLight amounts to a light that changes color for calls or Gemini interactions — moments when users are typically already looking at the phone's front, not its camera bar — and calls it "a bit of a dud" pending further details from Google.

As of now, one leak suggests that the feature apparently won't be available on the base Pixel 11.

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

Several outlets suggest that software, not hardware, may be the actual centerpiece of this year's presentation. The Verge frames Gemini Intelligence as central to explaining why the new phones matter, given how visually similar they are to the outgoing generation. Android Authority echoes that point, noting that with the hardware changes being relatively modest, Google "needs to explain why its latest generation matters," and expects Gemini to dominate the presentation.

On the Pixel Watch 5 specifically, The Verge reports that marketing materials describe Gemini Intelligence as a "personal, proactive assistant" capable of surfacing helpful information unprompted. A feature called "Proactive Suggestions" is said to offer context-aware reply recommendations for messages, and the materials reportedly tout improved sleep tracking as well.

What's probably not coming

The Verge is explicit that rumored Googlebook laptops and Android XR smart glasses are unlikely to appear, noting that Google previously said both product lines are slated for a fall launch rather than an August debut. Tech Advisor similarly rules out a Pixel smart ring or new Pixelsnap accessories, citing a lack of supporting leaks.

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I used Unraid as my only home server platform for nearly five years before I decided to jump ship to a traditional Linux distro. Unraid was still working well for me, but there were just one or two things it didn't excel at, and those areas are right where Ubuntu shines.

Windows laptops just can't catch a break. As the memory chip shortage rages on, a new report from the Taiwanese newspaper United Daily News (UDN) says PCs are facing further price hikes as Microsoft raises its Windows 11 licensing fees for device manufacturers.

According to a PC brand executive who spoke anonymously to UDN, Microsoft normally bumps its Windows license fees for PC makers by small margins every year. However, the latest increases are much higher than usual.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is making it harder to find the best Windows laptops. These 10 are actually worth it.

"In the past, licensing fees mostly increased by single digits each year, but starting in July this year, the average increase has reached 7 percent to 10 percent," UDN wrote. Other brand executives interviewed by the newspaper noted that the licensing fee increases vary by processor type; more powerful devices with higher-end CPUs have seen bigger increases than lower-end models.

These licensing fee changes are already impacting current PC prices, per UDN's sources. That would make sense since most Windows laptops and desktops sold to consumers come with their operating systems pre-installed. (In a win for DIYers, pricing for individual Windows 11 licenses remains unchanged.)

When reached for comment by Mashable, a representative for Microsoft said the company "has nothing to share at this time."

If true, UDN's report means PC makers are facing unprecedented financial challenges on the software and hardware fronts. The AI boom has caused a shortage of physical computer components like RAM and SSD storage chips, forcing brands like Dell, Framework, and Microsoft itself to jack up their laptop prices in recent months. Some experts predict that this crisis, often referred to as "RAMageddon," will continue to worsen later this year and into next.

If you're the person everybody calls when their PC breaks down, I'm sure you can relate to all those times when somebody randomly asks you to fix their PC on the spot.

Google's answer to free streaming services like The Roku Channel and Tubi is now much more appealing if you like control over what you watch. Google TV Freeplay now has on-demand movies and TV shows as well as an expanded live channel lineup.

For years, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer had a pretty obvious problem: it looked and felt like a luxury SUV, but it asked luxury-SUV money for a Jeep badge. That made it tough to justify next to established names like Cadillac and Lincoln.