Technology

TL;DR: Secretlab and Marvel just launched the Titan Evo Marvel Spider-Man Edition, a red-and-black gaming chair featuring a web-patterned back and Venom-inspired tendril details. This limited-edition chair is now available in the U.S., Canada, and the EU.

Secretlab just teamed up with Marvel for the first time, and the result is a gaming chair built entirely around Spider-Man. The Secretlab Titan Evo Marvel Spider-Man Edition features a red-and-black color scheme, riding the wave of Spider-Man: Brand New Day hype. It's available now in the U.S., Canada, and the EU.

If you're in the market for Spider-Man merch that doubles as functional furniture, this chair checks that box. The red-and-black palette is meant to channel the character's classic look, and there's a Spider-Man emblem stitched into the backrest.

Credit: Marvel / Secretlab Credit: Marvel / Secretlab

The back is upholstered in Secretlab's SoftWeave Plus fabric, woven into a web-like pattern of thin lines, made possible through what Secretlab describes as an advanced knitting process. As a nod to Venom, dark tendril patterns creep along the side wings and seat base, too.

Underneath the Spider-Man theming, this is still a Titan Evo, so it comes with the same comfort features as the standard chair. That includes cold-cure foam designed for long sitting sessions, a sculpted "pebble" seat base to distribute pressure more evenly (and leave room for sitting cross-legged), and four-way L-ADAPT lumbar support that adjusts to the curve of your lower back as you shift positions.

SEE ALSO: Umbro’s new Spider-Man streetwear collab just dropped: Shop jackets, backpacks, shorts, and more Spidey gear

This is easily one of Secretlab's best collabs yet, Spider-Man fan or not.

In January 2007, Steve Jobs took the stage at the Macworld convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco to announce a new product category in Apple’s lineup: A phone.

Back then, PCs were a bigger deal than phones (hence the big Apple event of the year being the Macworld convention, which kept running until 2014). This would change soon. At that stage, Jobs announced a lofty goal. He’d be happy, he said, if Apple would capture 1 percent of the mobile phone market by the end of 2008, which would mean selling roughly 10 million iPhones in a year. Fast forward to today, and Apple sells that many iPhones, on average, roughly every two weeks.

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win!

The iPhone that Jobs held in front of the audience at Moscone was a lot smaller and a lot less powerful than modern smartphones, but its form factor has remained pretty much the same. It’s still a rectangular slab of glass, plastic, metal, and silicon with a large display on one side and almost no moving parts.

Remember this guy? Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007. Credit: David Paul Morris / Getty Images

This is about to change. In September, according to numerous rumors and reports, Apple will launch the first-ever iPhone that’s not candy bar-shaped. Instead, the iPhone Ultra (or iPhone Fold, or whatever the name turns out to be) will be a foldable phone; a fairly regular-looking smartphone when folded, but with a large inner display that’s almost tablet-like when the phone is unfolded.

We’ve seen foldable phones before; Samsung has several in its lineup, which goes back six years, and so does Google, Motorola, and the major Chinese phone manufacturers. For Apple, however, it’s a pretty big leap forward that begs the question: Is this really something the world needs?

I think the answer is yes, but I also think Apple made the right move by waiting until the technology behind foldable phones matures. No one wants a phone with an ugly crease in the middle of the display, or a phone that creaks and cracks when you fold it shut. Often criticized for copying other phone makers, Apple plays the long game and waits until the tech matures. When you sell millions of phones every week, you want to get it perfect the first time around.

Still, many will shun the entire idea. By all accounts, the iPhone Ultra will be a pricy, hard-to-get, heavy phone that unfolds into an iPad mini. We don't know Apple's sales breakdown for tablets, but given the update frequency and the company's marketing efforts, the iPad mini appears to be one of the least popular iPads. It also costs $599, while the iPhone Ultra is rumored to be nearly four times that price. So, who will pay north of two thousand dollars to have a beefier iPhone/iPad mini combo when you can buy a regular iPhone and a separate iPad mini for less money?

I don't know how well the iPhone Ultra will sell. Perhaps it'll end up being a side character in Apple's lineup, just like the iPhone Air. But it will, I'm sure of it, be a lot sexier and cooler than having an iPhone in one hand and an iPad in the other.

The obvious benefit is having a regular-sized phone that expands into something that makes reading, watching movies, and even light work enjoyable on the go. If Apple gets the software part right, and there's little reason to believe it won't, the iPhone Ultra will be exactly this.

There's also the (rumored) twist in Apple's take on the foldable phone. It will be slightly wider than a regular phone, and thus open into an even wider device that actually makes more sense than most foldables on the market today. Samsung took the idea for a spin with its Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and most reviewers seem to like it.

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Then there's the software. The apps and games made for the iPhone have always had a very similar format. With the iPhone Ultra, app makers will finally be able to do something new and cool with their software. Besides the obvious, such as giving your favorite game more than twice the screen real estate, we'll also see a bunch of productivity apps (finally, a big calendar!) and entertainment apps (a video side-by-side with your playlist in Music!) take advantage of the larger display.

Yes, Android foldables do have this to some extent, but there's a lot of iPhone-only software out there that never got to do it. And given Apple's massive footprint in the smartphone space, the iPhone Ultra might soon become the most popular foldable model out there, thus prompting app creators to try extra hard to accommodate the new form factor in their app.

Details aside, when was the last time you were truly excited about a new iPhone? The iPhone Air was a thin iPhone; while nice, it wasn't exactly groundbreaking. But the iPhone Ultra should be the first truly different new iPhone Apple has ever made. That alone makes this one worth the wait.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 27, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal

If you're looking to level up your runs without spending a fortune, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a great choice. This running-focused smartwatch packs plenty of useful training features into a relatively affordable package, and it's currently available for less at Amazon. As of Aug. 27, this fitness tracker has dropped in price by $50, now priced at $199.

This watch is truly a runner's best companion, packed with loads of features to help you run better. It combines built-in GPS for tracking pace and distance with wrist-based heart rate monitoring, so you can track your effort as well as pace.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy the Garmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro: New features, release date, and launch price

It has both an AMOLED touchscreen display and traditional button controls in a lightweight 43mm design, and it offers up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode.

You'll get personalized daily suggested workouts tailored to your recovery and performance, and you can also use Garmin Coach and race-adaptive training plans for workout suggestions tailored to specific events. Some other features include Training Effect, which shows how your workouts impact your fitness and the benefit of each session, while recovery time helps you know when you're ready for your next high-effort workout.

This Garmin deal is available at Amazon right now.

SAVE $30: As of Aug. 27, the Samsung Internal SSD 990 1TB is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Internal SSD 990 1TB $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal

If your PC needs a storage overhaul, now could be a good time to upgrade — Samsung's 990 1TB SSD has dropped in price on Amazon. As of Aug. 27, this SSD is down from $229.99 to $199.99, saving you $30. Not only that, but according to camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-ever price for this popular model from Samsung.

This SSD is an ideal choice if you need a fast, responsive performance from your PC. It has sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,150/6,450 MB/s and random read/write speeds of up to 700K/1,100K IOPS, so you can do everything from loading games to downloading large files.

SEE ALSO: All the phones T-Mobile is giving away for free: Shop iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Google Pixel 11

And if improving your gaming setup is your intention, you'll be pleased to know it is designed to handle large games, as well as other demanding creative projects. And it only uses up to 38% less power per unit of performance than the 990 PRO.

There are both 1TB and 2TB options (2TB is $339 down from $529), so you have plenty of room for games, personal files, and long-term storage.

Head to Amazon now to get this deal.

In early September, we expect Apple to show off at least a few new iPhone 18 models. But there might be a little something for AirPods lovers at the recently announced Sept. 9 special event.

Rumor has it Apple will launch multiple new AirPods models, and we're just two weeks away from finding out for sure. However, the tagline for Apple's event is "Surprise and shine," so who knows exactly what's in store?

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win!

As always, we're here to cut through the noise and give you everything you need to know ahead of time. Here are the latest AirPods rumors ahead of the September iPhone event.

Two new AirPods 5 models

Whenever a big slew of Apple announcements is imminent, it's always worth checking in with Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who usually prognosticates correctly about the future of Apple hardware.

Gurman recently reported that Apple is gearing up to announce the AirPods 5 in the near future, possibly at the September event. For reference, Gurman recently reported Apple was getting ready to launch a new Mac Mini, and Apple did exactly that a day later. In short, Gurman's track record is deeply impressive.

Regarding new AirPods, Gurman did not elaborate on how exactly the AirPods 5 would be different from the AirPods 4 released in 2024, but he did expand his reporting on X to say there would be two models: one with active noise cancellation and one without. That was also the case with the AirPods 4.

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That is, unfortunately, seemingly all there is to know about AirPods 5 right now, suggesting this would be a very iterative update. It doesn't seem like Apple is keen to announce the next batch of AirPods Pro earbuds soon, in case you prefer silicone ear tips. The AirPods Pro 3 were refreshed just last year, so we might have to wait a year or two for a new update to that model.

Even without knowing for sure what to expect from AirPods 5, we can make some educated guesses. Apple will probably enhance sound quality in some way, and battery life could always use a boost, too. Otherwise, we'll just have to wait a couple of weeks to find out, presumably.

AirPods with cameras?

Another product that may or may not show up at the September event is a brand new AirPods model with a very interesting and unexpected new feature — cameras.

That's right, the long-rumored AirPods with cameras could be just two weeks away.

Simply put, these AirPods would have cameras built into the stems. They recently appeared in a macOS beta video, so it seems all but certain that they're real and coming soon. The video doesn't show much, but it does definitely show a new pair of AirPods that you can't currently buy.

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Some previous reporting by Gurman gives us an idea of what to expect from the AirPods Ultra. Apparently, the cameras will not be used to capture images or video at all; instead, they will only be used to tell an onboard AI assistant what the user is looking at, similar to the way AI in contemporary smart glasses works. That doesn't mean there won't be any controversy regarding privacy concerns, of course, but it does mean this isn't necessarily a Google Glass situation. Think Visual Intelligence and AI assistants, not Meta-RayBans and creepy videos.

Gurman also reported that Apple has been working on two versions of this product internally, with one of them winning out and being fast-tracked to ship in the near future. That might be the one we've seen in the leaked video. There's a real possibility this product appears at the iPhone 18 event, but as always with Apple, there's also a possibility it won't. The event is called "Surprise and shine," after all.

SEE ALSO: AirPods with cameras aren't the only new product that Apple just leaked AirPods Pro or AirPods Ultra?

What are these rumored AirPods with cameras going to be called? No one outside of Apple Park knows for sure, but there are two rumored possibilities. Initially, these AirPods were rumored to be called AirPods Ultra, or AirPods Pro Ultra. That would make sense, as Apple is rumored to be working on a premium iPhone Ultra and MacBook Ultra. However, MacRumors recently reported that they'll be released as a variation on the AirPods Pro. MacRumors cited references to the product in macOS Tahoe that suggest AirPods Pro branding.

Will AirPods increase in price?

Unfortunately, we can never rule out a price increase in 2026. Thanks to the global memory crisis, Apple and other tech companies have been raising prices all year long. The new iPhones are almost certain to see higher prices than previous models. Audio products haven't seen as many price increases as laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles have, so if we're lucky, a new AirPods 5 would cost the same as the AirPods 4, which are priced at $129 (without ANC) and $179 (with ANC) — or as low as $99 on sale.

Hopefully, all of these questions will be answered on Sept. 9 at the September Apple event. Mashable will be attending that event and reporting live on all of the announcements, so check back for more info.

In June, a new law went into effect in New York state that requires companies to disclose when they use AI-generated models or actors in advertisements. And now, just a few months after it went into effect, the state is seeing its first complaints reporting advertisers for allegedly running afoul of the law.

In total, four complaints have been filed since the law went into effect, the New York attorney general's office told Mashable. All four are currently under review by the AG.

New York's Synthetic Performers law is the first of its kind in the United States, and with growing anti-AI sentiment, it likely won't be the last. In fact, companies that use AI actors or influencers to promote products without disclosure could also be violating federal law, though the Trump administration has so far taken a hands-off approach to AI regulation.

The first two anonymous complaints under the New York law, which accuse two companies of using synthetic models or performers in their ads without disclosure, were recently obtained and published by Straight Arrow News. The first complaint alleges that "premium performance wear brand" Athletifreak used AI-generated models when promoting the clothing company's products. The complaint includes numerous screenshots taken from Athletifreak's website.

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The second complaint sent to the New York attorney general points the finger at London-based eyewear company Bloobloom. The complaint alleges that Bloobloom is running advertisements on social media that use synthetic performers and target New York residents.

Both complaints were sent in June, shortly after the law went into effect.

“In New York, we are setting the rules of the road instead of letting AI run the show,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement on June 9 when the law went into effect. “Requiring simple, honest disclosure when an ad uses synthetic performers protects consumers, respects our creative workforce and keeps New York at the forefront of responsible innovation.”

And New York's law did set the rules of the road. The state requires any company that does business in New York to abide by the Synthetic Performers law. If they don't, companies can face fines of $1,00 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for repeat offenses.

Last month, Amazon announced a new requirement for third-party sellers on its platform, stating that they must disclose when AI is used in product images and videos on their listings.

“Recent legislation requires disclosure when images or videos in advertisements contain photorealistic AI-generated people,” Amazon told sellers, referring to the New York state law.

While the New York law is an example of regulation that's welcomed by AI safety advocates and critics of the technology, what about federal regulations that protect consumers?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has long had existing rules barring companies from posting fake reviews and testimonials of their products or services. A few years ago, the FTC updated its fake reviews and testimonials rules to explicitly cover AI-generated content. 

Violating the FTC's rules results in a financial penalty much larger than New York state's law. The maximum fine from the FTC could be a whopping $51,744 per violation.

Mashable previously reached out to the FTC to ask if AI-generated actors and influencers could violate its regulations prohibiting fake reviews and testimonials. 

"If there is an AI-created individual who is essentially playing the same function as a human actor in a commercial, and it is obvious that the speaker is merely an actor, that may be perfectly fine," an FTC spokesperson told us regarding synthetic performers. "If the AI-generated individual is providing a testimonial (which would necessarily be fake) or claiming to have specific expertise (such as a medical degree or license or financial experience) that affects consumers’ perception of the speaker’s credibility, that may be deceptive and could violate both the FTC Act and also the Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials."

With that said, the FTC recently issued an AI policy statement that suggested that "anti-innovation states" like New York lack the authority to enact AI laws like this.

"Importantly, President Trump’s proposed approach is a national AI framework, protecting innovation and competition by providing national regulatory clarity and certainty and avoiding a balkanized or patchwork regulatory approach driven by the states — or, most dangerously, imposed by certain anti-innovation state governments on the rest of the country," reads the FTC's July 1 AI statement. "America’s AI Action Plan and other critical executive actions strike that balance between accelerating innovation and protecting Americans, but anti-innovation states’ recent efforts to regulate AI are concerning."

If the FTC moves to strike state laws prohibiting deceptive AI ads — but doesn't step up its own enforcement in any way — that could clear the path for a lot of sketchiness in advertising. Already, companies are openly advertising services to create "AI influencers" to promote products.

For now, states like New York are stepping up AI regulation, likely because of the Trump administration's hands-off approach to AI regulation. And the four complaints submitted under New York's law are likely just the beginning as awareness of New York's new AI advertisement regulation spreads.

Despite its reputation as a kind of free-for-all for singles, AdultFriendFinder actually has pretty strict Terms of Use, and it does, in fact, enforce them with account suspensions or outright bans. 

That being said, it's fair to say their usage terms are considerably more lax than the average online dating site, especially considering AFF allows its members to post full-frontal nude photos or strip on webcam chats. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AFF AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Where, exactly, is the line, and how can you make sure you're on the right side of it? Here are four on-site behaviors that will reliably get you banned:

Stalking or harassment

While we're sure most of you out there would never dream of doing either of these things, the fact remains that online dating sites often bring out the worst in people, and because AFF is not only a dating site but also an online community, it's actually very easy to follow someone's account in the public areas like chat rooms and webcam feeds. 

The AFF Terms of Use don't provide an actual definition of either of these behaviors, but it's safe to say that if you're reported by another user for harassment and have a documented history of negative engagements with them in public, your account will likely be suspended or outright banned. 

Spamming the chat

Easily the least obvious behavior on this list, AFF nonetheless takes chat spam very seriously, whether it's a bot promoting an off-site business or an attention-seeking troll disrupting the flow of a webcam feed or chat room. 

Chat rooms are also moderated by AI, so you have to be careful here, as your intention might not be to spam the chat, but if you send too many consecutive messages, causing the chat scroll bar to move quickly, it could trigger the AI response and time you out of the chat room. Similarly, if you want to share an off-site link with the chatters, the AI will assume you're promoting or attempting to phish users, which will also result in punishment. 

Solicitation

Another prohibited behavior is solicitation, or as their Terms of Use puts it, "solicitation for services." In theory, that's a very vague definition, but in practice it's simple: you can't use AdultFriendFinder to find a "sugar baby" or "sugar daddy," or to engage in "pay for play" sexual activities.

Does this mean that no one on the sites engages in these prohibited behaviors? No, not at all, but it does mean you can report them for engaging in them, if you so choose. 

Advertising or promoting

AFF expressly forbids its users from posting or "transmitting" anything that could be construed as advertising, including "promotional materials, affiliate marketing codes, link referral codes, or any other form of commercial solicitation." 

Once again, in practice, you'll quickly notice that many users have found ways around this prohibition, either by being subtle and/or restricting their advertising to more private communications, or else by simply remaking an account every time they're flagged for promotion violations, but you do have the option to report these accounts when you come across them.

TL;DR: The GoCable is a tiny 8-in-1 keychain cable that can connect via USB-C or Lightning, and it’s only $25.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $24.99
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal

Carrying the right charging cable everywhere you go is a hassle, and the cheap ones fray or tangle before long anyway. If you want a better option, try combining all your cables into a single cable. The GoCable is a keychain cable with eight functions packed into a very small container. It’s also on sale now for $24.99 (reg. $49.99).

The GoCable charges at up to 100 watts. That’s fast enough for a phone or tablet, and strong enough for most laptops too, so you can leave your other cables at home and still charge everything you carry. You’ll want a power bank or a wall adapter to plug it into because one doesn’t come in the box. Everything else it needs is already on the cable.

Most cables only fit one type of device, so you end up carrying two or three. This one has a Type-C connector and a Lightning connector, so the same cable charges an iPhone, an iPad, AirPods, or an Android phone. A small light comes on while it charges, so you know it’s working. When you plug it into a computer, it moves files, not just power.

The GoCable stays out of your way when you’re not using it. A magnet holds it coiled so it won’t tangle in your pocket, and a carabiner clips it to your keys, your bag, or a belt loop. It weighs 40 grams and measures under six inches long, so you’ll barely notice it on your keychain.

This little charger also has a few things most cables do not. There’s a bottle opener for drinks and a safe cutter for opening boxes and packages without cutting your hand. It’s like a more modern multitool.

Don’t get caught without a charger. Get a GoCable 8-in-1 100W Cable on sale for $24.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

TL;DR: This Dell Precision 3561 (2021) refurbished workstation laptop is $524.99 (reg. $1,899.99) for a limited time, a savings of 72% on a machine built for CAD, video editing, and other demanding work.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell Precision 3561 2021 (Refurbished) $524.99
$1,899.99 Save $1,375   Get Deal

Most laptops in this price range are not built to run engineering software or edit 4K footage without choking. The Dell Precision 3561 is. You can get this Grade A refurbished workstation for $524.99 today, a serious markdown from its original $1,899.99 price tag.

The specs explain why professionals lean on this machine. An 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor handles multitasking and heavier workloads without slowing down, and it is backed by 32GB of DDR4 memory so you can keep a dozen browser tabs, a video editor, and a CAD program open at once. A 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD keeps boot times and file access fast, and dedicated NVIDIA T1200 graphics with 4GB of memory give the machine real muscle for creative and technical applications, not just office work.

The 15.6-inch Full HD display is sharp enough for detailed design work, and the laptop ships with Windows 11 Pro, Thunderbolt 4 ports, a backlit keyboard, and up to 13 hours of battery life for anyone working outside the office.

Grade A refurbished means the unit arrives in near-mint condition with only minimal signs of previous use, which may help when weighing the cosmetics of buying refurbished.

This deal is for engineers, designers, editors, and other professionals who need a workstation that keeps up with their software rather than fighting it. It also works for anyone who wants precision-level performance without paying precision-level prices.

Add this Dell Precision 3561 (2021) 15.6 inch workstation laptop to your setup for $524.99 (reg. $1,899.99) while this refurbished deal is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

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

15. Death of the Pastor's Wife

At a glance, John-Paul Miller and his wife, Mica Miller, seemed to have a happy, even blessed marriage. But before she turned up dead in a state park in April of 2024, she'd shared with family and friends her experiences of manipulation, abuse, and stalking at his hands. 

Over three episodes, Death of the Pastor's Wife explores what went wrong in the Miller marriage through interviews with Mica's surviving friends and siblings. While the filmmakers were unable to interview John-Paul or his new wife, who wed him a year after Mica's body was discovered, footage of his video-recorded sermons give an insight into how he viewed love, marriage, and the duties of a wife. Be warned: It will make your blood run cold, and it won't provide a satisfying ending. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor 

How to watch: Death of the Pastor's Wife is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Penny Lane Is Dead

Australian writer-director Mia'kate Russell's Penny Lane Is Dead draws from the '80s Ozploitation films that put the country on the horror cinema map. However, while the film may start with "school's out" teen fun and overt Australiana, it quickly goes to a dark, ultraviolent place that deserves a rape-revenge genre content warning. Penny (Bailey Spalding), Toni (Tahlee Fereday), and Amy (Alexandra Jensen) have finished high school and organize a girls' night to celebrate. But Penny's plotting cousin Kat (Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn) invites herself (and her criminal adult boyfriend and his criminal adult friends) to the party, and things take a dangerous turn. An exploitation film it is, alright, and how that sits in 2026 will be up to audiences. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn, Tahlee Fereday, Alexandra Jensen, Bailey Spalding, Ben O’Toole, Steve Le Marquand, and Fletcher Humphrys

How to watch: Penny Lane is Dead premieres Aug. 28 on Shudder.

13. Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special

Everyone, wish Adult Swim a happy 25th birthday! To celebrate, the animation mainstay is airing a Robot Chicken special that combines characters from everything from Smiling Friends to The Venture Bros. and Aqua Teen Hunger Force to Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. The special places these beloved characters (and even more) on a cruise that goes — you guessed it — terribly wrong. Tune in for the mayhem. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special premieres at midnight ET on Aug. 31 and streams on HBO Max the next day.

12. Motor City

In the mood for stylized action? Cruise over to Motor City, where Reacher star Alan Ritchson lays the smackdown on hordes of gangsters in 1977 Detroit. He plays ex-con John Miller, who's on the warpath for vengeance against mobster Reynolds (Ben Foster). Not only did Reynolds frame John for a crime, he also stole his fiancée Sophia (Shailene Woodley). John's quest plays out with little dialogue and a rock-heavy soundtrack, so you'll be headbanging with every punch. — B.E.

Starring: Alan Ritchson, Shailene Woodley, Pablo Schreiber, Ben Foster, and Ben McKenzie

How to watch: Motor City is now available to buy or rent on digital.

11. Above & Below

Hypothetically, would you rather deal with great white sharks or a crime gang? Well, the folks in Jesse V. Johnson's Above & Below have to choose both. With Antonio Banderas somehow starring, this horror-action-thriller throws a group of vacationing friends in the deep end when they're accidentally caught up in a cartel drug situation during a shark diving session. Half are being held at gunpoint, and half are stuck in a shark cage with 10 minutes of oxygen left — quite the lose-lose situation. Which would you pick? — S.C.

Starring: Laura Marano, Antonio Bandera, Christina Ochoa, Diego Llinás, Timothy V. Murphy, Louis Mandylor, Jess Liaudin, Donncha Tynan, Ryan Bertroche, Ramiro Alonso, Rodrigo Poisón, and Mario Tardón

How to watch: Above & Below is now available to buy or rent on digital.

10. Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young

Remembered for his MVP performance in 2006's epic Rose Bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the USC Trojans, football star Vince Young was supposed to be the NFL's next big thing. But a series of injuries, conflicts, and more led to a very different career trajectory. The latest installment of Netflix's Untold sports documentary series explores the complexities of Young's rise and decline, with insight from Young himself. — B.E.

How to watch: Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young is now streaming on Netflix.

9. The Deb

Rebel Wilson's directorial debut The Deb has taken a long and dramatic road to release, with the director sued for defamation by star Charlotte MacInnes. Two years after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the musical comedy will hit digital release this week.

The Deb follows awkward farm girl Taylah (Natalie Abbott), who lives in small town Dunburn, where the local debutante ball is a marquee event. Her city-slicker influencer cousin Maeve (MacInnes) shows up, sent away after an anti-patriarchy protest. These polar opposite relatives have very different views on feminism and "the deb," and could learn a thing or two from each other. — S.C.

Starring: Rebel Wilson, Natalie Abbott, Charlotte MacInnes, Stevie Jean, Brianna Bishop, Karis Oka, Tara Morice, Shane Jacobson, Costa D’Angelo, Alex de Crespigny, Ioane Sa’ula, Ben Turland, Hal Cumpston, Stephanie Tisdell, Amanda Kour, and Sophea Pennington

How to watch: The Deb is now available to buy or rent on digital.

8. The Undeclared War Season 2

In 2022, cyber thriller The Undeclared War, created by Peter Kosminsky (Wolf Hall), saw its first season out on the UK's Channel 4., taking audiences into the world of intelligence in the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). Now, four years later, the show's second season arrives with new director Paul McGuigan (Sherlock, Luke Cage), new writer Colin Teevan (Das Boot), and Simon Pegg as head of GCHQ operations Danny Patrick. Expect surveillance and bureaucracy and tension. — S.C.

Starring: Simon Pegg, Siân Brooke, Hannah Khalique-Brown, Alex Jennings, Danny Sapani, Ed Stoppard, and Chloe Pirrie

How to watch: The Undeclared War Season 2 is now streaming on Peacock.

7. Leanne Season 2

Stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan's self-titled sitcom returns this week, bringing more Southern charm to Netflix. Season 1 followed Leanne (Morgan) as she endured the biggest shock of her life: her husband of 33 years leaving her for another woman. Season 2 continues Leanne's journey of self-discovery and reinvention, powered by support from her family, including her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston). — B.E.

Starring: Leanne Morgan, Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Jayma Mays, Tim Daly, Graham Rogers, and Hannah Pilkes

How to watch: Leanne Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

6. The Last Sunrise

Looking for a swoon-worthy summer love story? Then check out The Last Sunrise, based on the novel by Anna Todd. The film introduces college student Ry (Maia Reficco), who heads on a summer vacation to Mallorca with her mother (Eva Longoria). There, she strikes up a fling with Julián (Fernando Lindez). But their romance will face challenges as Ry struggles with chronic illness and uncovers hidden family secrets. Will these obstacles get in the way of Ry and Julián's connection? — B.E.

Starring: Maia Reficco, Fernando Lindez, Eva Longoria, Andrés Velencoso, Chloé Sweetlove, and Sabrina Bartlett

How to watch: The Last Sunrise is now streaming on Prime Video.

5. Mousetrap

Need a new mystery series? South Korean thriller Mousetrap has just landed on Netflix, an unsettling careen into the world of "identity laundering." When incognito novelist Je Moon-jae (Ryu Jun-yeol) finds his identity completely stolen and loan shark No-ja (Sul Kyung-gu) on his trail, the writer must figure out why a mysterious figure known as "The Rat" has done such a thing, and how he can possibly get his life back. But that's just the tip of the iceberg for this mind-bending thriller, directed by Kim Hong-sun and written by Lee Jae-gon, which twists and turns through the streets of Seoul. — S.C.

Starring: Ryu Jun-yeol, Sul Kyung-gu

How to watch: Mousetrap premieres Aug. 28 on Netflix.

4. Hadestown: The Musical

If you haven't seen Hadestown on stage, you know someone who's told you to see Hadestown on stage. Well, you could still see Hadestown on stage, and/or you could watch the live capture, Hadestown: The Musical. Filmed in London's West End, Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin's Tony–winning musical comes to digital this week. An ideal way to watch or rewatch the hit adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, this Hadestown filmed performance stars original Broadway cast members Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, Amber Gray, André De Shields, and Patrick Page. Then you can be the one to tell others to see Hadestown.* — S.C.

Starring: Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, Amber Gray, André De Shields, and Patrick Page

How to watch: Hadestown: The Musical is now available to buy or rent on digital.

3. The Whisper Man

Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, and Adam Scott have all the crime thrills for you this week, with The Whisper Man arriving on Netflix. Based on Alex North's novel of the same name, the film hinges around an unsettling playground rhyme from the author's book: "If you leave a door half open, soon you'll hear the whispers spoken. If your window’s left unlatched, you’ll hear him tapping at the glass. If you’re lonely, sad, and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you."

When children start disappearing, including the 8-year-old son of a crime writer (Scott), his detective father (De Niro) is pulled out of retirement as the culprit could be a serial killer he arrested long ago. With James Ashcroft (The Rule of Jenny Pen) directing a script from The First Omen's Ben Jacoby and IT's Chase Palmer, expect dark and chilling twists aplenty. — S.C.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Luca Porto, and Will Brill

How to watch: The Whisper Man premieres Aug. 28 on Netflix.

2. Dark Matter Season 2

Silo Season 3 may be winding down, but Apple TV has more sci-fi for genre lovers to feast on in the form of Dark Matter Season 2. Based on the novel by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter's first season introduced physicist Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), who winds up traveling through a series of alternate versions of his life. Season 2 goes beyond the book, with the Dessen family facing danger when threatening powers force them on the run again. Brace yourself for mind-bending multiversal madness. — B.E.

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, and Jimmi Simpson

How to watch: Dark Matter Season 2 premieres Aug. 28 on Apple TV.

Best of streaming this week: Adults Season 2

FX's Gen Z sitcom Adults got off to a strong start in its first season, introducing a lovably messy friend group in housemates Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao), and Anton (Owen Thiele). Things only get funnier (and wilder) in Season 2, which sees Adults' cast firing on all cylinders, whether that means shining by themselves or gelling impeccably in ensemble scenes.

Just what kind of chaos can you expect from Season 2? Secret friend groups, cringe-y pop star careers, a raccoon invasion, and maybe, just maybe, more crumbs of romance between Anton and Paul Baker. Fair warning: There are only eight bite-sized episodes of this delightful season, so be sure to binge with caution. As soon as you're done, you'll want to hop right back to the beginning and re-witness the chaos of these friends' adulthoods. — B.E.

Starring: Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, and Owen Thiele

How to watch: Adults Season 2 premieres Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. ET on Hulu and FXX.

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

Folks across North and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa, will have a front-row seat to a partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27, painting the moon the color of a hot fireplace poker. 

Unlike solar eclipses, you don't need specially darkened glasses to protect your eyes. In this case, you can safely stare with the naked eye. And since the next true total lunar eclipse won't happen for most of the Americas until 2029, this is your best chance to catch a major lunar light show for a few years.

But if you're like this reporter and live in an area with perpetual city light pollution — or cloudy weather just happens to crash your viewing party plans — several telescope observatories will be hosting free livestreams to bring the magic to your screen. 

SEE ALSO: NASA reluctantly abandons a space telescope rescue mission

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth slides between the sun and the moon, casting a giant shadow over the lunar surface. This upcoming event is especially thrilling because it is a "deep" partial eclipse. 

At its peak, Earth's dark shadow will swallow almost all of it — over 96 percent of the lunar face. Instead of going completely dark, the moon will catch filtered sunlight from Earth's atmosphere, glowing in coppery orange and red.

A lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon because it reflects light filtered through Earth's atmosphere. Credit: Ernie Wright / NASA's Scientific VIsualization Studio infographic

"It's as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon," according to NASA. 

If you decide to step outside, grab a pair of binoculars to watch Earth's curved shadow sweep across lunar craters. You might also notice more stars popping out in the night sky as the bright moonlight dims. A regular smartphone can easily snap a souvenir photo.

But if you want a closer look through professional equipment, or you happen to live somewhere outside the eclipse viewing zone, multiple astronomy groups have you covered. Here is a roundup of a few free live broadcasts you can tune into on the night of Aug. 27 and into the early morning of Aug. 28, depending on where in the world you live.

• Griffith Observatory: Broadcasting live from L.A., this observatory kicks off its livestream at 10:25 p.m. ET / 7:25 p.m. PT Aug. 27.

• The Virtual Telescope Project: Watch the moon glow over Tuscany. This feed features high-resolution telescope views starting at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT Aug. 27.

• Timeanddate.com: Catch a real-time telescope feed with expert tracking animations and commentary, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT Aug. 27.

The main event lasts well over an hour, giving you plenty of time to hop between streams and enjoy different telescope angles.

August has been a busy month for celestial events. From the recent solar eclipse, the Perseids meteor shower, and now a partial lunar eclipse will be gracing our skies.

Visible across much of North America this week, sky-gazers will have the chance to watch Earth's shadow creep across the surface of the full moon. Want to find out more? Keep reading to know when to look up and what to know about the event.

When is the lunar eclipse?

The partial lunar eclipse will take place on Aug. 27–28, 2026, according to Time and Date. It begins on the evening of Aug. 27 and peaks in the early hours of Aug. 28. Timings will vary based on your location, but NASA estimates it to be around 12:13 a.m. ET.

What is a lunar eclipse?

According to NASA, a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to pass through Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses can only happen during a full moon, when the three bodies are aligned closely enough for Earth's shadow to fall across the lunar surface.

This is only a partial eclipse. During a partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the moon passes through Earth’s shadow. From Earth, the shadowed area can appear noticeably darker against the illuminated part of the moon. Exactly how the eclipse looks depends on the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up, with Earth directly between the other two. The moon still receives a small amount of sunlight, but that light has to travel through Earth's atmosphere first. The atmosphere scatters much of the blue light, allowing more red and orange light to reach the moon, which is why it can look reddish.

How to see the lunar eclipse

Thankfully, unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye, so you don't need special glasses or equipment.

The best way to see it is nice and easy: just head somewhere with a clear view of the sky and as little light pollution as possible. Look toward the moon as the eclipse gets underway, and you'll see Earth's shadow gradually cover part of its surface.

Binoculars or a telescope will give you a closer look, but they aren’t necessary if you don’t have access to either.

Whoop just debuted its new Meridian band, offering a more stylish titanium band to fit your personal style. Made of waterproof stainless steel mesh, the Meridian band is designed to be worn with all your jewelry.

The new Whoop Meridian band is designed to be worn alongside your jewelry. Credit: Whoop

The biggest issue with fitness and health trackers, especially on devices meant to be worn 24/7, is their overly athletic look. When wearing a fitness tracker day-to-day or while working out, you might not care if your health tracker matches your fit. But on special occasions, you probably don't want to be wearing a knit or rubber watch band on your wrist. Instead, you want something like an Oura Ring, which blends in with your jewelry. That's why Whoop came up with the Meridian band.

Coming in four different colors — gold, rose gold, silver, and matte black — the band is crafted with Milanese-style mesh. For those familiar with the Milanese Loop Apple Watch band, Whoop's Meridian band looks quite similar. Whoop's band also features a tapered silhouette and a magnetic adjuster. The band is sold separately from the Whoop device and costs $149. It's available for purchase directly from Whoop now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop Meridian Band $149 at Whoop
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Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 27, 2026 Pikachu meaning

A popular Pokemon character.

Spunk meaning

A display of spirit. Moxie might be another word that fits the description.

Nemo meaning

A character in a Jules Verne story or a fish in a Disney story.

Dove meaning

A type of bird.

Misty meaning

A description that indicates something is covered in moisture.

Slate meaning

A type of stone, or a writing surface.

Lightning meaning

A form of intense static electricity that occurs in nature.

Ash meaning

A substance that remains after burning. Could also indicate color.

Pewter meaning

A metal alloy sometimes used to make trinkets or drinkware.

Brock meaning

A type of Pokemon.

Emotional meaning

Something that provokes a profound reaction from people.

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Live wire meaning

Someone who is unpredictable or energetic.

Overcome meaning

To succeed in spite of something.

Electric eel meaning

A type of animal that conveys electricity.

Wrap meaning

To cover something with something else.

Choked up meaning

To cry or be brought to the bring of crying.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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 today's Connections.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you're a fan of UT-Austin.

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: Infringement

• Green: Ways to swap players

• Blue: Reps the star

• Purple: Eras in sports

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Transgression

• Green: Transaction

• Blue: Dallas Cowboys

• Purple: ___Era

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 #703 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Transgression: FOUL, INFRACTION, PENALTY, VIOLATION

• Transaction: DEAL, EXCHANGE, TRADE, TRANSFER

• Dallas Cowboys: BLAND, LAMB, OVERSHOWN, PRESCOTT

• ___Era: DEAD BALL, NEW, OPEN, STEROID

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 today's Connections.

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

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 27, 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 27, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 27 Pips

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 27 Pips

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 27 Pips

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you are into shades of gray.

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 27, 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: Shocking

• Green: Tearing up

• Blue: Gray

• Purple: Looks like a music genre

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.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Electric Things

• Green: Moved to Tears

• Blue: Shades of Gray

• Purple: Music Genre Plus Starting Letter

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 #1173 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Electric Things: ELECTRIC EEL, LIGHTNING, LIVE WIRE, PIKACHU

• Moved to Tears: CHOKED UP, EMOTIONAL, MISTY, OVERCOME

• Shades of Gray: ASH, DOVE, PEWTER, SLATE

• Music Genre Plus Starting Letter: BROCK, NEMO, SPUNK, WRAP

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy in an abstract way.

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 27, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Spiraling definitions

The words are adjectives related to twisting.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe that twist or can be twisted.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is What a Twist.

NYT Strands word list for August 27

• Hairstyle

• Dance

• Sprain

• Surprise

• Distortion

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you work in production.

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 27, 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 27, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Unedited.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter U appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter U.

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...

UNCUT

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 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.

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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 popular car rental company.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

HERTZ

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An organ in the head.

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BRAIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To lodge in.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 27, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Aug. 27, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

EMBED

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An old song or movie.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

OLDIE

Final Hurdle hint

It started.

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

BEGUN

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