Technology

I’ve used Thunderbolt docks for nearly a decade at this point, going all the way back to my 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro when Apple finally went all-in on USB-C. I’ve spent the past few weeks with Razer’s all-new Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma, and this is the best Thunderbolt dock I’ve ever used—with two catches.

In the aftermath of Jimmy Kimmel's indefinite suspension from broadcast by ABC, The Daily Show decided to tread extra carefully on Thursday with a 23-minute monologue dedicated to praising "father" Donald Trump, delivered by Jon Stewart from behind a giant golden desk.

In the video above Stewart uses his "hilarious, administration-compliant show" to discuss the president's trip to the UK — telling the audience to "shut the f*** up" whenever they react negatively to Trump — before moving on to the president's comments about Kimmel being suspended for having "zero talent".

"In America, we have a little something called the First Amendment. And let me tell you how it works: There's something called a Talent-o-Meter. It's a completely scientific instrument that is kept on the president's desk. And it tells the president when a performer's TQ (talent quotient) — measured mostly by niceness to the president — goes below a certain level, at which point the FCC must be notified to threaten the acquisition prospects for billion-dollar mergers of network affiliates. These affiliates are then asked to give ultimatums to the even larger mega corporation that controls the flow of state-approved content. Or the FCC can just choose to threaten those licenses directly. It's basic science! Read the Constitution!"

Watch the other late night hosts' reactions to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for September 19, 2025 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: Near the gridiron

• Green: Basketball clubs

• Blue: Basketball clubs associated with a hall of famer

• Purple: Regionally specific fields

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

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

• Yellow: Things seen on an NFL sideline

• Green: NBA teams with singular nicknames

• Blue: Teams Michael Jordan played for

• Purple: Big Ten stadiums

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 #361 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Things seen on an NFL sideline - BENCHES, CHAINS, COACHES, MEDICAL TENT

• NBA teams with singular nicknames - HEAT, JAZZ, MAGIC, THUNDER

• Teams Michael Jordan played for - BARONS, BULLS, UNC, WIZARDS

• Big Ten stadiums - BEAVER, CAMP RANDALL, OHIO, SPARTAN

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

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.

Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air indefinitely on Wednesday, with ABC accused of bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Now fellow late night hosts Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart have addressed the issue, offering Kimmel their support while condemning censorship.

While the news of Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s suspension was gleefully received by President Donald Trump and his followers, ABC's decision is being heavily criticised by others. A longtime Trump critic, Kimmel has been reportedly suspended for his comment about Republicans and right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk's killer. "The MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel said in a monologue on Monday.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel pulled off the air. This is the monologue that sparked it.

As such, many have expressed concerns about the free speech implications of pulling Kimmel from broadcast.

Unsurprisingly, the remaining U.S. late show hosts left standing have a lot to stay on the matter.

Seth Meyers

Late Night host Seth Meyers opened his monologue on Thursday by jokingly attempting to backtrack on his own heavy criticism of Trump.

"I just want to say before we get started here that I've always admired and respected Mr. Trump," Meyers quipped to audience laughter. "I've always believed he was a visionary, an innovator, a great president, an even better golfer. And if you've ever seen me say anything negative about him, that's just AI."

"Trump promised to end government censorship and bring back free speech, and he's doing the opposite." - Seth Meyers

Meyer subsequently played a montage of Trump declaring that he would "restore free speech" in the U.S., and claiming that he "stopped all government censorship." Of course, this was quickly followed by a second montage of newscasters announcing that Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been suspended after pressure from Brendan Carr, Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair.

"Trump promised to end government censorship and bring back free speech, and he's doing the opposite," said Meyers. "And it has experts worried that we're rapidly devolving into oppressive autocracy in the style of Russia or Hungary much faster than anyone could have predicted…

"May I just say, it is a privilege and an honour to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend, in the same way that it's a privilege and honour to do this show every night," Meyers continued. "I wake up every day, I count my blessings that I live in a country that at least purports to value freedom of speech. And we're going to keep doing our show the way we've always done it, with enthusiasm and integrity… 

"This is a big moment in our democracy, and we must all stand up for the principles of free expression. There's a reason free speech is in the very first Amendment. It stands above all others."

Jimmy Fallon

"Well guys, the big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking, 'WTF?' Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon said on Thursday.

Fallon took a slightly more lighthearted approach to the situation than Meyers, expressing support for his fellow late night Jimmy while also joking about how often they are mistaken for each other.

"This morning I woke up to 100 text messages from my dad saying, 'I'm sorry they cancelled your show,'" Fallon quipped. "But to be honest with you all, I don't know what's going on, and no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he's a decent, funny, and loving guy, and I hope he comes back."

Fallon then addressed concerns that Kimmel's untimely suspension would impact how he delivered the Tonight Show.

"A lot of people are worried that we won't keep saying what we want to say, or that we'll be censored," said Fallon. "But I'm going to cover the president's trip to the UK just like I normally would."

"A lot of people are worried that we won't keep saying what we want to say, or that we'll be censored." - Jimmy Fallon

Fallon then proceeded to discuss Trump's time in the UK, with every statement that might have been critical of the president clearly dubbed over to be more complimentary.

"Well, guys, President Trump just wrapped up his three-day trip to the UK, and he 'looked incredibly handsome.' As always, his tie was 'exactly the right length.' And his face looked 'like a color that exists in nature,'" Fallon "said."

"Anyway, to sum it up, President Trump is making America great again by restoring our national reputation, reinvigorating our economy, and rebuilding our military. I hereby nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. And you can quote me on that! See? We can still say what we want."

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert knows better than others what Kimmel may be feeling, as CBS cancelled his own show in July. It has been widely speculated that this was an effort to appease Trump, as CBS' parent company Paramount needed his approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance. Colbert has long been a vocal critic of Trump, calling Paramount's settlement with the president a "big fat bribe" and showing no signs of letting up all the way through until the Late Show's final episode next May.

As such, he dedicated the entirety of his 10-minute opening monologue to calling out ABC and the Trump administration over Kimmel's suspension.

"That is blatant censorship," said Colbert. "And it always starts small. You know, remember like in week one of his presidency, Gulf of America. "Call it Gulf of America." Sure, seems harmless. But with an autocrat, you cannot give an inch. And if ABC thinks that this is going to satisfy the regime, they are woefully naive. And clearly they've never read the children's book If You Give a Mouse a Kimmel." 

"And to Jimmy, just let me say, I stand with you and your staff 100 percent. And also, you couldn't let me enjoy this for like one week?" quipped Colbert, holding up the Emmy Award he won on Sunday.

"If ABC thinks that this is going to satisfy the regime, they are woefully naive." - Stephen Colbert

Colbert had a lot to say about Kimmel's suspension, including that comments from FCC chairman Carr that appeared to warn ABC to punish Kimmel or else put their broadcasting license in jeopardy, were "a serious threat to our freedoms." Colbert also examined exactly what Kimmel actually said that Carr labelled "the sickest conduct possible."

"Is that the clip? Really? 'Cause that's just Jimmy Kimmel," said Colbert. "I mean, given the FCC's response, I was expecting something more, you know, provocative. That's like hearing that Playboy has a racy new centerfold and finding out it's just Jimmy Kimmel."

The Late Show host subsequently pulled up some of Carr's old social media posts from 2020, in which he stated that political satire from late night comedians "helps hold those in power accountable," and that "shutting down this type of political speech — especially at the urging of those targeted or threatened by its message — would represent a serious threat to our freedoms and ability to hold those in power accountable"

"Oh man, do not tell Brendan Carr that Brendan Carr said that, or he's going to get Brendan Carr to cancel Brendan Carr," quipped Colbert.

Interestingly, Colbert noted that Nexstar Media Group, which owns several ABC-affiliated stations and stated that it would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! even prior to ABC's own announcement, has a major merger currently awaiting the Trump administration's approval. Colbert further pointed out that ABC's parent company Disney is also seeking approval for ESPN's proposed acquisition of NFL Network.

"A company apparently capitulating to the whims of the president in order to ensure their merger goes through. Has that ever happened before?" said Colbert. "Oh, I'm being told not to answer that question."

"No matter what they claim, this is not entirely about what Jimmy said on Monday, this was part of a plan," Colbert continued. "How do I know that? Two months ago, when the president was tastefully celebrating my cancellation, he posted, 'Jimmy Kimmel is next to go.' How would he have known? Either Jimmy getting thrown off the air was his plan all along, or he was the one who stole that almanac from Doc Brown's DeLorean."

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart didn't explicitly address Kimmel's suspension for the first 10 minutes of his Daily Show monologue. Even so, its impact was clear from the outset. Jokingly putting on a display of terrified reverence and obedience toward Trump, Stewart introduced a "hilarious, administration-compliant show," and pleaded with the audience to shut up whenever they booed the president. 

This tone continued throughout his monologue, as Stewart acted outraged toward a journalist in the UK who referenced Kimmel's situation when asking Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer whether free speech was more under attack in Britain or America.

"How dare you, sir?" said Stewart. "What outfit are you with, sir, The Antifa Herald Tribune?"

Stewart then addressed Trump's statements in the same press conference that Kimmel "was fired for lack of talent" and "they should fired him a long time ago."

"You may call it free speech in jolly old England," Stewart continued. "But in America, we have a little something called the First Amendment. And let me tell you how it works. There's something called a Talent-o-Meter. It's a completely scientific instrument that is kept on the president's desk. And it tells the president when a performer's TQ — Talent Quotient — measured mostly by niceness — to the president — goes below a certain level, at which point the FCC must be notified to threaten the acquisition prospects for billion-dollar mergers of network affiliates. These affiliates are then asked to give ultimatums to even larger mega corporation that controls the flow of state-approved content. Or the FCC can just choose to threaten those licenses directly. It's basic science! Read the Constitution!"

The Daily Show host then played a montage of conservatives justifying Kimmel's suspension, followed quickly by another montage of conservatives making claims such as that "global warming is a hoax," immigrants are "taking people's pets and eating them," and that the Jan. 6 insurrectionists were "sightseers."

"Even though two months ago, our president, because of his grand ability to see the future — it's a curse — somehow knew that Kimball would be [the next late night host to lose his show after Colbert], as he explicitly said [in a post on Truth Social], you can't just make things up on television," said Stewart. "People cannot just go on television and mislead viewers with made-up crap…

"But the point is, our great administration has laid out very clear rules on free speech," Stewart continued. "Now, some naysayers may argue that this administration's speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy, a thin gruel of a ruse, a smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and unitary intimidation, principle-less and coldly antithetical to any experiment in a constitutional republic governance. Some people would say that. Not me, though — I think it's great."

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Sept. 19, 2025:

AcrossCancel on plans at the last moment

• The answer is Flake.

Shade of light purple

• The answer is Lilac.

___ acid (protein builder)

• The answer is Amino.

Sarcastic "Yeah, sure"

• The answer is I Bet.

Sardonic boss on "Parks and Recreation"

• The answer is Ron.

DownStylish panache

• The answer is Flair.

Party game that tests how low you can go

• The answer is Limbo.

Visitor from outer space

• The answer is Alien.

Philosopher who posed the question "What can I know?"

• The answer is Kant.

Environmentally friendly prefix

• The answer is Eco.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $150: As of Sept. 19, the Beats Studio Pro are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $199.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150.04 Get Deal

You can't argue with a Beats deal, especially a Beats deal that takes the beloved Studio Pro headphones to under $200. And that's exactly what you can get at Amazon right now. As of Sept. 19, these headphones are $150 off, priced at $199.95. Not all colors are discounted though, as this deal is specific to the black, navy, deep brown, matte white, and sandstone options. The dune color from the Kim Kardashian x Beats collab is also included in this deal.

With Beats, you always know you're getting amazing sound quality, and that couldn't be truer with the Studio Pro. Whether you're listening to music, a podcast, or your best friend's 10-minute-long voice note, everything is super clear and crisp. And this is only enhanced by the different noise cancellation options. Full Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) completely immerses you in what you're listening to, blocking out almost every sound around you. Meanwhile, Transparency mode will give you some level of spatial awareness, blocking out annoying sounds but not so much so that you're not aware of what's happening around you.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

This is the same with the mic quality. Voice-targeting mics will filter out background noise, so recordings and phone calls won't have frustrating sounds blocking out your voice. And you can take calls and control your music from the multi-function on-ear controls. These make it easy to switch between music and calls with just a tap.

The battery life doesn't disappoint either. Enjoy up to 40 hours of listening time, and when you do start to run low, a short 10-minute "Fast Fuel" charge will give you an extra four hours of listening.

Get this great Beats deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 19, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. This is $10 off its list price of $34.99.

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$34.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Amazon's next big sale event, Prime Big Deal Days, is coming at the start of October. Thankfully, the retailer is already offering up some discounts for shoppers ahead of the event. If you've been trying to track down a new streaming device, Amazon's Fire TV Sticks are on sale, including the Fire TV Stick HD.

The Fire TV Stick HD normally retails for $34.99, but you can scoop it up for just $24.99 right now. This saves you $10, and considering it's listed as a limited-time deal, it may not last long. Act quick to score it at this low price.

SEE ALSO: Target announced dates for its fall Target Circle Week. Duh, it's during Prime Day.

The Fire TV Stick HD is a perfect partner for an HD TV, allowing you to stream your favorite shows and movies with 1080p Full HD picture quality. Setting it up is incredibly easy, too. All you have to do is plug it into your TV, make sure you're connected to the internet, and you're all set. And since it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, you can even use your voice to search for your next watch across a wide variety of streaming services.

If you're not looking to splash out on a fancy smart TV, the Fire TV Stick HD is a much more affordable streaming direction to go in. Don't miss out on $10 off right now at Amazon. If you'd rather upgrade to a 4K streaming setup instead, you can also save on the Fire TV Cube right now at Amazon.

NASA's Curiosity rover took advantage of a clear winter day to snap new panoramic pictures of one of Mars' most enduring mysteries. 

A lookout point in the foothills of Mount Sharp, a 3-mile-high mountain, allowed the rover to see all the way across Gale Crater's floor. Near the center of the image is Peace Vallis, an ancient river channel thought to have carried water into the crater billions of years ago. 

Despite the two planets being separated in space by an average 140 million miles, Mars' Peace Vallis is a valley system that closely resembles river drainage features on Earth. But scientists still don't know how the alien landscape formed and where the water came from. Some think it could have been rain during an era when the Red Planet was warmer and wetter. Others think the water could have come from melted snow or underground springs. 

The new images, taken from a distance of about 19 miles, reveal rocky formations and sediment patterns not seen before. 

"While Curiosity has taken pictures of Peace Vallis in the past, this is the first time details like these have been seen within it," NASA said. 

SEE ALSO: A mission to a distant asteroid just got an unexpected surprise

The image at the top of this story is just one section of a larger panorama. Shown below, the full picture involved stitching together 44 individual frames, captured by Curiosity's Mastcam instrument. Scientists adjusted the colors to show the scene as it would appear to people in Earth's lighting conditions.

To make this wide panorama, NASA's Mars Curiosity rover beamed back 44 frames to be stitched together on Earth. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The rover also used its ChemCam instrument, a black-and-white camera that functions like a small telescope, to study the distant features. The instrument captured Peace Vallis in 10 frames that were later stitched together to create the image below. The dark features just left of center are rock formations.

These new observations may help scientists figure out how sediment flowed into Gale Crater and for how long. Such photos can also offer clues about the original water source.

Before Mars turned into a chilly dust bowl, it once was home to rivers, lakes, and maybe even oceans. Over the years, scientists have found plenty of evidence that the planet wasn't always arid, but it's unclear when the water disappeared, why, and how long habitable conditions might have lingered.

Scientists believe water and sediment once flowed down Peace Vallis into Gale Crater, spreading a fan of sediment across the basin floor. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / LANL / CNES / CNRS / IRAP / IAS / LPG

Since its mission launched in 2011, Curiosity, a Mini Cooper-sized lab on six wheels, has traveled about 352,000,022 miles: some 352 million flying through space and another 22 rambling over Martian terrain. Studying the crater's water history is part of that mission to investigate where and how well Mars could have supported microbial life, if any formed there. 

Some researchers are feeling more confident than ever that microorganisms did indeed exist on the Red Planet. NASA held a news conference last week about a rock sample collected by Curiosity's younger sibling at Jezero Crater in 2024. The sample contains fossilized material that could have been created by ancient biological activity, according to the U.S. space agency, though officials caution that they can't rule out other non-biological explanations.

"This finding by our incredible Perseverance rover is the closest we've actually come to discovering ancient life on Mars," said Nicky Fox, NASA's associate administrator.

Right now, about 2,000 miles away from Perseverance, Curiosity is exploring a mysterious Martian region that spans six to 12 miles. Called a boxwork, the landscape features a gridlike pattern of ridges. Scientists have suggested these ridges could have formed with the last trickles of water in the area before drying out for good. But mineral veins in the boxwork conflict with the timeline suspected for when groundwater vanished.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac delivers the core productivity apps you need for a one-time $42.99 with no ongoing fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac $42.99
$229 Save $186.01 Get Deal

If your workflow is Word docs, tidy spreadsheets, clean slides, and an inbox that behaves, you don’t need a subscription buffet piled high with bells and whistles. You need the classics that just work — without monthly taps on your credit card. That’s the sweet spot for this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac, now $42.99 for a limited time.

You’ll get permanent access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. It’s a lifetime license on one Mac — a single purchase connected to your Microsoft Account — with instant delivery of your license keys and download links, plus free customer service. Perfect for families and small businesses that want dependable tools and email on macOS without the 365 add-ons.

SEE ALSO: The Apple MacBook Pro M4 has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $300 right now

Keep things simple and local. Install once and get to work on documents, data, decks, and mail — no subscriptions, no monthly/annual fees. Microsoft has ended support for Office 2019 for Mac, but the applications are designed to work with the lifetime license. Important setup tip: after installing the 2019 version, turn off Auto Update — it can force an upgrade to 2021, which would then invalidate your 2019 license. Be sure to redeem your code within 7 days of purchase. You’ll need at least 4GB of RAM and 10GB of free space, and it runs smoothly on the three latest versions of macOS: 13, 14, and 15.

If all you want is to use the apps you’ve known for years, minus the subscription parade, this deal is a solid investment.

Grab this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac today for $42.99 and own the essentials.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a massive 100TB of secure cloud storage for life for a one-time price of $1,399.99 (reg. $9,900) with this Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $1,399.99
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Have you ever stopped to think about how much you’ve spent on cloud storage? With expensive subscription fees, that number might be a staggering amount — and it just keeps rising month after month. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that offers a one-time price, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage.

The most storage Apple lets you secure at the moment is 12TB — and that will cost you $64.99 a month for life. Right now, you can pay once and score a gigantic 100TB of storage forever for $1,399.99 (reg. $9,900) with this Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription.

SEE ALSO: Pay just $25 for a lifetime license to MS Office 2019

Internxt Cloud Storage is ready to offer you a different option for storing your important files. As we all continue to amass more and more data, our need for storage only grows with time. Set yourself up for life with a massive 100TB of storage from Internxt. You only have to pay once, and you get to enjoy it forever.

Aside from setting you up with cloud storage for life, Internxt also makes sure your content is kept private. They offer end-to-end encryption so tight that they themselves can’t even access your data. They’re also GDPR compliant, which means they adhere to strict European laws on user privacy and data security — unlike the usual suspects who not only can access your data, but make money off of it through targeted ads and data sharing.

If you’re hesitant to swap due to the headache of transferring files, don’t worry. Internxt offers easy cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to integrate it across your devices and operating systems and access your files from anywhere.

Ready to cancel those cloud storage subscriptions? Act fast to get your 100TB of storage for life with Internxt Cloud Storage for just $1,399.99 (reg. $9,900).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Have you ever seen something online you just couldn't shake? Sometimes a video rolls across our FYP or timeline that's inexplicably violent, and before we can blink or look away, it's scorched into our brains. Now, imagine if your job was to not look away. You'd be a content moderator, underpaid to watch one revolting video after another to determine if they meet your company's dubious user guidelines. This is the modern hell of the sharp and smart thriller American Sweatshop. 

Riverdale's Lili Reinhart stars as Daisy, a young woman whose days are spent approving or deleting videos shared on an unnamed social media website. Her work requires closely watching and judging videos of strangulations, fatal falls, and worse, to determine if they are within the bounds of that site's terms of service. Shaking it off is part of the job, or so says a corporate culture that treats humans like interchangeable machines. But once Daisy sees a particularly gruesome video involving a woman, a hammer, and a nail, she can't just bounce back. Plagued by the memory of what she saw, she needs to find out if the video was real and who's responsible — whatever it costs.

Twisted and character-driven, American Sweatshop will have you sweating as you peek between your fingers for what happens next. 

American Sweatshop explores the inhumanity of the corporate internet.  Credit: Brainstorm Media

"Remember, we're not censors; we're moderators," declares Daisy's boss (Christiane Paul), as she smoothly spouts the corporate speak that promises to promote freedom of expression while casually avoiding moral rigor. It's the kind of speech you might hear Mark Zuckerberg give on a podcast. But here she's coaching her room of agitated moderators, coolly laying out when some slurs can be approved instead of deleted, without daring to say a slur herself. And this reflects the clever trick American Sweatshop pulls, which keeps it from falling into the muck it criticizes. 

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants more 'masculine energy' in corporate America

Director Uta Briesewitz has a storied career as a TV helmer, working on such hit shows as Severance, Black Mirror, and Stranger Things. She understands tension, specifically what the audience must see and what they need not. Like the critically acclaimed horror thriller Red Rooms, American Sweatshop won't make a spectacle out of the inhumane videos found online. Instead, the script from Matthew Nemeth gets the idea across by revealing telling video titles like "fetus in blender" or showing office workers having raucous meltdowns, with one in particular saying they'd all be better off if he set the office building on fire. 

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

For the video that torments Daisy, Briesewitz will show glimpses, implying key details, like a woman on a dirty mattress and an old white man playing voyeur as an aggressor in snakeskin boots raises a hammer. We'll hear the woman scream. The horror comes not from seeing what happens in the video, but from witnessing the blasé response some characters have to watching the video — including a cop Daisy entreats for help.

American Sweatshop has a Severance sense of humor.  Credit: Brainstorm Media

Beyond the troubling mystery at their respective cores, Severance and American Sweatshop both wring dark laughs out of the corporate apathy that oppresses Daisy and her co-workers. However, this film is not as heightened as the popular Apple TV+ show, which makes it hit even harder.

Beyond the snarling manager of this "sweatshop," there's a futile counselor (Tim Plester) who has nothing to offer except nine minutes of break time and half-hearted coping tools. When there's a concern that too many of these employees are passing out or freaking out during their shifts — i.e. negatively impacting productivity — a surly exec scolds about a lack of resources before suggesting a morale-boosting event, like an after-work pub hang — with a cash bar. This is the kind of late-stage capitalism joke that cuts so deep because it feels too real. 

Walking this line of dark humor and mind-snapping tension, Reinhart's co-stars provide supreme support. Daisy experiences a steady, stressful psychological decline, as she goes from smoking pot and meditating to cope with the horrors she witnesses at work to vigilante justice. Meanwhile, Daniela Melchior plays her chicly stoic work bestie whose idea of real talk is often jolting. Bringing a volatile energy, Joel Fry plays the office bad boy who seems always on the brink of a blow-up. And Jeremy Ang Jones offers a wide-eyed naivete as the office newbie, so green and sweet that his co-workers are taking bets that he'll be the next to snap. 

SEE ALSO: 'Road House' stars Daniela Melchior and Arturo Castro crack each other up playing 'Say Action'

Thematically, they are a thoughtful progression chart of employee burnout. Yet, through whispered support at their desks, heart-to-hearts over hard-earned lunch breaks, or drunken confessions on the aforementioned night out, they knit a web of relationships slippery yet sturdy. This creates an authenticity to their work environment, urging the audience to understand how banal the setting for psyche-scarring trauma can be, with the worst of humanity just one click away.

Through this cutting humor, American Sweatshop urges us not to look away from the nerve-fraying suspense as Daisy steps away from her keywords and chases down the evil rooted in the real world. Yet, Nemeth rejects the glossy Hollywood expectations of a vigilante justice tale. Daisy won't become abruptly a genius strategist or a master computer hacker, destined for an action-packed, explosive finale. She'll fumble and make glaringly bad decisions. And yet each feels natural, mimicking the slippery slope of a grim internet rabbit hole. One weird discovery just keeps pulling us in deeper and deeper, and we not only lose track of time but also what we sacrifice of ourselves as we keep digging. The final reveal is at once sickening and satisfying.

American Sweatshop is a cool and riveting thriller that gets under your skin, creeping up your spine to bend your brain. Like the internet videos that are its grim inspiration, it's not easy to shake off the chills American Sweatshop triggers.

American Sweatshop is now in theaters and on demand via Fandango at Home.

UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2025, 12:52 p.m. EDT This review was first published on March 13, 2025, out of its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival. It has been updated for its theatrical premiere.

SAVE $500: As of Sept. 19, the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $399.98 at Amazon. That's a 56% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop $400.08 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $499.91 Get Deal

Robot vacuums must be one of the greatest modern-day inventions. They vacuum, they can self-empty, and the best models even mop. Honestly, we can get on board with anything that shortens that chore list. And if you've been wanting to purchase something for a while but haven't found the right price or product, we think you'll love this latest Amazon deal on the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop.

As of Sept. 19, this vacuum is at its lowest ever price, saving you $500 on the list price. Now just $399.98, that's a saving of 56% just waiting to be snapped up.

SEE ALSO: Bring home the Ecovacs Deebot T30S robot vacuum and mop for its lowest price yet

And you're truly getting all the benefits of a $900 device without the price tag. This robot vacuum picks up dirt, mops, empties, and cleans itself. And don't worry about those extra-heavy messes, this vacuum has five powerful cleaning technologies that help to reach hidden debris, deep stains, and edges. The EdgeDetect blasts air into corners to push debris into the robot’s cleaning path. How smart is that?

You don't even need to tell it where to go. It uses a 3D sensor and 360° LiDAR technology to detect and avoid obstacles and furniture, and the NeverStuck Technology tells the robot to lift itself over obstacles when it comes across them.

For mopping, it automatically refills its own water tank for up to 30 days, and washes and dries the mopping pad after every clean.

This deal is not something to miss. Head to Amazon now to save and upgrade.

SAVE $1,950: As of Sept. 19, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is on sale for $3,049 at Amazon. That's a 39% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus $3,049 at Amazon
$4,999 Save $1,950 Get Deal

With the arrival of fall comes the potential for storms. Cozy season has a lot going for it, but when it comes to extreme weather that can leave you without power, we're not big fans. If you've been on the search for a solar generator for situations like this, chances are you've come across Jackery, one of the most popular brands in the power station business.

And as of Sept. 19, you can get an incredible deal on a seriously powerful unit, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus. Right now, this power station is down to $1,950, the lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 portable power station is almost half off at Amazon — save $350 for a limited time

Of course you're not looking at just charging your phone and laptop with this solar-powered unit. If you're looking for whole-home backup, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus has got what you need. It has a 7200W to 14400W expandable output and 5kWh to 60kWh capacity, so it can power your whole home for over one day with a single unit. When expanded to 30kWh, it provides backup for up to seven days, and with 60kWh, it can last up to 15 days.

When in online UPS mode, the Solar Generator 5000 Plus can automatically switch to stored power during blackouts. So important devices like your refrigerator and router don't turn off. For ease of use, this power station can be controlled from the Jackery app. You can adjust charge settings via WiFi, monitor real-time use and battery life, and enable and disable sockets.

If you want whole-home backup for power outages, don't miss this great generator deal at Amazon.

SAVE $150: As of Sept. 19, the Apple iPad (10th Gen) is on sale for $349 at Amazon. That's a 30% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Gen) $349 at Amazon
$499 Save $150 Get Deal

$150 off an iPad? Who could say no to that? Especially when we're talking about the iPad (10th Gen). OK I'm biased, but after using this model for almost two years, I truly believe it's one of Apple's best. As of Sept. 19, it's on sale for $349 (down from $499). This deal is specific to the 256GB option in the color pink.

So why is this model so good? Firstly, the screen quality is bright, colorful, and genuinely impressive. It even has a feature called True Tone, which adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room. And the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is perfect for all kinds of use: work, watching Netflix, attaching a Magic Keyboard and typing away.

SEE ALSO: Grab a 4-pack of Apple AirTags for $74.99 and keep an eye on all your stuff

It's also fast thanks to the A14 chip. I've been using this iPad for a long time, and there's no lag, freezing, or long wait times while it syncs up with my iPhone. And the battery life holds up just as well. I can get through a full day of streaming and scrolling without needing to charge.

And if you'll be using it for FaceTime or work calls, both the front and back cameras offer incredible quality, with the front camera benefiting from Center Stage, an Apple feature that keeps you centred during calls.

Convinced yet? Get this great iPad deal from Amazon now.

Dyson has been entrenched as one of the biggest names in home tech for over a decade. Though the brand has strong stakes in other categories like hair care and air purification, the hallowed cordless Dyson vacuum is still the mother of all adult purchases.

Dyson itself is so locked in to perfecting the stick vacuum cleaner that it stopped making new corded vacuums altogether in 2018. But with all of the innovation unified around the cordless It Girl, the difference between Dyson vacuums can be difficult to keep straight. Most recently, the September 2025 Dyson Unveiled event introduced the Dyson V16 Piston Animal, the unique PencilVac, and an upgraded version of the Dyson V8.

SEE ALSO: Will the laser-equipped Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai solve Dyson's robot vacuum problem?

But until those hit shelves in 2026, a 2025 Dyson buying guide that compares the best Dyson stick vacuums out right now is still crucial. Important considerations include factors like suction power (measured in Air Wattage, or AW), included attachments, battery life, and helpful tech like screens and lasers — and, of course, how much you can justify spending on a vacuum. (FYI, Dyson vacuum deals happen all the time — the most common sale price is noted with each Dyson listed below.) Here are our picks for the best Dyson vacuum for every budget in 2025:

Which type of Dyson vacuum is best — corded or cordless?

Dyson's original claim to fame was its Dyson Ball vacuum, which was built around... The Ball: a rolling sphere that allows the vacuum to swivel around furniture better than other inflexible upright vacuums. These Dysons had such impressive suction that people simply put up with their bulkiness. But sometime in the late aughts, Dyson realized such a sacrifice wasn't necessary. The brand found a way to harness that power into a compact cordless stick vacuum that's not a chore in itself to operate, store, or empty.

These Dysons the kind of cleaning power that's so satisfying to wield yourself, it almost seems unfair to let a robot vacuum take all the credit. If you're picky about cleaning, a nice Dyson will be all the convincing you need to choose a cordless stick vacuum over a robot vacuum. You can at least take a corded Dyson vacuum out of the running, though — they're barely stronger than the strongest cordless Dyson models, and their cumbersome design isn't worth the hassle.

We're officially in the glorious time of year that is pre-Halloween fall. The air has a slight crispness to it, the leaves are on the verge of turning, and the promise of horror movie marathons is just around the corner.

But if you're not ready to jump into full-fledged scares just yet, don't worry. Netflix's new animated series Haunted Hotel is the perfect watch to get you in the Halloween spirit. More kooky than spooky, it's a sweet twist on the family sitcom format that'll have you champing at the bit for October to arrive sooner.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them What's Haunted Hotel about? Meet the Undervale's guests. Credit: Netflix

The series centers on Katherine (voiced by Eliza Coupe), a single mother who's inherited the haunted Undervale Hotel from her late brother Nathan (voiced by Will Forte). Nathan may be dead, but he's not really gone. Like anyone who dies on the grounds of the Undervale, he's come back as a ghost. But unlike some of the Undervale's more violent guests — like the knife-wielding Stabby Pete — Nathan doesn't want to terrify the living. Instead, he wants to help Katherine and her two kids, Ben (voiced by Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (voiced by Natalie Palamides), run the struggling family business.

If you think that premise sounds like Bob's Burgers meets The Shining, you wouldn't be too far off — especially when it comes to the Bob's Burgers element. With her mind almost constantly on the Undervale's business woes, Katherine calls to mind Bob Belcher. Meanwhile, the mischievous Esther is basically a carbon copy of Louise... if Louise were super into dark magic.

SEE ALSO: 'Long Story Short' review: 'BoJack Horseman' creator's family comedy delights and devastates

Haunted Hotel's concept may garner other comparisons too, such as CBS' Ghosts (about a bed-and-breakfast overrun by spirits), or Prime Video's Hazbin Hotel (about a hellish hotel meant to redeem demons). But the similarities stop with the hotel setting. Really, Haunted Hotel shares more of its DNA with Rick and Morty, as it was created by Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller. (Rick and Morty's Dan Harmon and Steve Levy also co-executive produce.) The Rick and Morty connection means Haunted Hotel boasts a similar style of pop culture-tinged absurdity and dark humor — the latter especially, since most of the show's characters died in gruesome ways. However, the edginess often associated with Rick and Morty gets sanded down here, making way for a more nurturing family dynamic overall.

Haunted Hotel's real superpower is its central family. Add them to my list of comfort animated families. Credit: Netflix

The Undervale's horror elements are a surefire hook for Haunted Hotel. Its many ghosts are instantly memorable, even if they only get a few moments of screen time per episode. (Shout-out to my personal favorite, the candle-obsessed Mr. Candles!) The series also loves a good horror movie pastiche, from a sex-negative slasher straight out of Friday the 13th to a possession scene that pays homage to The Exorcist.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

But it's the show's central family that truly breathes life into the Undervale, giving us a reason to care deeply for the hotel instead of just passively take in the many ghosts who haunt it. Katherine's ghost fatigue serves as the perfect foil for Nathan's optimism about working alongside the ghosts, but there's more to their relationship besides "pro-ghost" and "anti-ghost." For Nathan, death hasn't changed too many things — beyond the fact that he can walk through walls and can't actually pick up or touch anything, that is. But for Katherine, she's grieved her brother's death and is still processing his loss, even if she can still speak with his ghost. It's the show's most moving storyline, especially as Haunted Hotel delves into the tragic circumstances behind Nathan's death. The show handles these circumstances with a fairly light hand, but that doesn't make the sting of Katherine's grief any less painful.

Katherine's kids lighten things: Ben struggles with his ghost girlfriend and his awkward experiences at school, while Esther's supernatural scheming — including a surprisingly prescient twist on collectibles like Labubus — reliably causes chaos. But it's the honorary fifth member of the family who's the real star here. His name is Abaddon (voiced by Jimmi Simpson), and he's an ancient demon trapped in the body of a small Victorian boy.

Simpson brings a near-manic intensity to the role of Abaddon, one that contrasts ridiculously with the character's childish appearance. Roller takes full advantage of that contrast, placing Abaddon in all manner of normal situations that immediately become silly due to his demonic desire to conquer all. He worships blenders as the perfect killing machine; he fiendishly devotes himself to winning Connect Four; he despairs that he's doomed for all eternity when he gets trapped behind a door. Yet despite all his demonic propensities, he still finds himself drawn to Katherine, Nathan, Ben, and Esther, perhaps finding in them the family he never truly had in Hell.

None of what Haunted Hotel is doing is reinventing the wheel of the family sitcom, but the series is a spooky delight nonetheless, and much of that comes down to the loving family at its cursed heart. The Undervale may not have a lot of guests, but Haunted Hotel more than deserves a check-in.

Haunted Hotel is now streaming on Netflix.

I just can't quit Disney+. I initially subscribed to the service back in the day to have all the major Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar stuff at my fingertips. Still, the service has managed to surprise me with easily bingeable shows and docuseries that I didn't know I needed.

We're hurtling through the year and another weekend has arrived, which means it's time to settle down on the couch and binge some Netflix shows. Not sure what to watch? That's where I come in, since every week I have three top recommendations for your viewing pleasure.

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

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

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

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

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

Virtuous.

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

NOBLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Colloquialisms.

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

SLANG

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To stop.

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

AVAST

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Ungodly.

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

PAGAN

Final Hurdle hint

A nut.

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

PECAN

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

TL;DR: Live stream VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli in the Bundesliga for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

St. Pauli are unbeaten in the Bundesliga, currently sitting in fourth place after four games. They'll be going into their next game against VfB Stuttgart with a lot of confidence, but it's not going to be easy to take three points at the MHPArena.

If you want to watch VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli in the Bundesliga for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli?

VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli in the Bundesliga kicks off at 7:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the MHPArena.

How to watch VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli for free

VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli 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 watch VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the Bundesliga before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

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• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream VfB Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli in the Bundesliga for free with ExpressVPN.