Technology

Marvel Studios has finally tackled the trickiest superhero ensemble with Fantastic Four: First Steps. The long-awaited film brings the superhuman abilities of the Fantastic family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe—from Mr. Fantastic's stretchy limbs to Johnny Storm's fiery powers. But the comic book heroes haven’t had the best time in terms of movies, having attempted three different casts that ended up being a mess.

Shop new Anker Nano devices New Charging Station Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W) $89.99 Shop Now New Power Bank Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W) $59.99 Shop Now New Power Bank Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 20W, MagGo) $54.99 Shop Now

Anker just dropped three new chargers in its popular Nano line-up. The Nano collection focuses on portable, streamlined devices that make charging devices a breeze, whether you're at home or on the go.

The drop includes three devices: two power banks and one charging station, all of which deliver quick charging capabilities for multiple devices. Anker makes some of our favorite chargers, so here's everything you need to know about the new Anker Nano devices.

All products are now available for purchase at Anker and Amazon.

Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W) The new Anker Nano charging station includes retractable USB-C cords. Credit: Anker

The new Anker Nano charging station brings serious speed to the charging game. It includes three USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, and three AC outlets within the station. The brand says it can charge a 16-inch MacBook to 50 percent in 33 minutes, a claim we would love to test ourselves.

Notably, the Nano charging station comes with two built-in and retractable USB-C cords. Mashable's tech editor recently reviewed a charger with a retractable cable, and he called for more brands to add this feature. Retractable cables solve the most annoying problem with chargers (the annoying tangle of cords), but they're still pretty rare.

The station also has a screen that displays each port's real-time charging percentage. It has a five-foot AC cord, 300J surge protection, and offers up to 100W power.

The Anker Nano charging station costs $89.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W) $89.99 at Anker
Shop Now Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W) Charge on the run with the new Anker Nano Power Bank (45W). Credit: Anker

Alongside the charging station comes a new power bank in the Nano collection. The Anker Nano power bank with up to 45W of power. Just over three inches long, it's extremely portable, even including a lanyard for easy toting around. It includes one retractable USB-C cord, so you don't have to worry about forgetting a cord at home.

In addition to the included cord, it also has an additional USB-C port and a USB-A port. It holds 10,000mAh at a time, enough power to charge your device multiple times.

The Anker Nano power bank (10K, 45W) costs $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W) $59.99 at Anker
Shop Now Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 20W, MagGo) iPhone users can attach this Anker Nano Power Bank with MagSafe Credit: Anker

For iPhone users, you can go completely cordless with the latest power bank in the Nano Collection. The last new release from Anker is a slim power bank that charges iPhones through a MagSafe attachment. It's a slim profile, not much bigger than a credit card, and snaps to the back of the phone through MagSafe.

With an included USB-C port, you can also attach a cord for a wired charge too. It supports up to 20W of power and includes temperature control. It's sensitive to heat, and the device will stop charging if its outside shell reaches over 38 degrees Celsius. This feature is common among other MagSafe power banks we've tested from the brand.

This Anker Nano power bank (5K, 20W, MagGo) costs $54.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 20W, MagGo) $54.99 at Anker
Shop Now

The trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 dropped on Sunday, and at the time of writing, folks have watched it 6.6 million times on HBO Max's channel and 2.4 million times on DC's channel on YouTube.

The follow-up to James Gunn's lauded Peacemaker series lands with eight episodes at the end of August, heralding the return of John Cena's The Suicide Squad character and the impeccable Season 1 cast.

The teaser, which movingly uses the late Ozzy Osbourne's "Road to Nowhere," teases a storyline revolving around Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo), whose son Rick Flag. Jr. was killed by Chris Smith/Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. But the teaser also suggests we're going to be dabbling in a "parallel world" accessible by interdimensional portals and Chris trying to join the Justice Gang, which means the DCEU crossover with Gunn's recent Superman ain't over.

Peacemaker Season 2 premieres on Aug. 21 on HBO Max.

SAVE $12: As of July 28, the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant set is on sale for $47.99 at Amazon. That's $12 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12 Get Deal

If the recently-announced Lego Game Boy set caught your eye and you're itching to find more gaming-themed Lego sets to tide you over until it's actually available, Amazon's here to help. Amazon has quite a few Lego sets on sale right now, but this deal on the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant is one worth checking out if you're into Nintendo.

The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant is usually listed for $59.99, but you can scoop it up for 20% off right now, down to $47.99. This is only a few cents away from its lowest-ever price of $47.95, so now is as good a time as any to grab it.

SEE ALSO: Score a rare discount on the Lego Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ house set

Recommended for ages 18 and up (though adults can always help out a younger Mario fan), the Super Mario Piranha Plant Lego set comes with 540 pieces. The head, mouth, stalk, and leaves can be posed, which makes this a very fun display piece. It even comes with two coins as a fun little bonus.

Don't miss out on 20% off the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant at Amazon. And if you're looking for another great Lego set deal at the retailer, the Lego Ideas The Insect Collection set is $16 off right now.

FREE $50 CREDIT: As of July 28, you can redeem a free $50 promotional credit from Amazon when you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 + $50 Amazon Credit Get Deal

Amazon's offering a treat for those who are interested in buying the newly released Samsung Galaxy Watch 8. For a limited time — until Aug. 5, to be exact — shoppers can take advantage of a free $50 promotional credit from Amazon when they purchase the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

If you don't mind dropping $399.99 on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE), this is a great bonus offer to take advantage of. After the watch has shipped, you'll receive an email from Amazon to tell you that the credit has been added to your account, then you're free to redeem and shop away. Again, this offer only lasts until Aug. 5, so don't delay.

SEE ALSO: The Garmin vívoactive 4 was my ride or die — until the vívoactive 5 showed up

The first smartwatch with Google Gemini, this popular model features a lighter design and boasts plenty of advanced features. This includes Advanced Sleep Coaching to help you maintain a good sleep schedule, a Running Coach to help you prep for your next big race, and even Vascular Load monitoring, which can help you keep an eye on your stress levels.

Don't miss out on this bonus $50 promotional credit from Amazon when you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $399.99. And if you're looking for more smartwatch deals, check out this $100 discount on the Apple Watch Series 10 at Amazon.

Electric vehicles are no longer just city cruisers or commuter cars—they’re quickly becoming the go-to choice for families across the U.S., even with the slight dip in Q2 2025 sales. From compact crossovers to rugged haulers, automakers are all-in on making EVs the new norm across every segment.

Moon enthusiasts, tonight is your night. After days of only slivers of light, there's finally something to see on the moon's surface.

See what's happening tonight, July 28.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, July 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There's still not much to see tonight, with only 9% of the surface visible to us on Earth (according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation).

It's the fourth day of the lunar cycle, and there are sights to see tonight. With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. Add binoculars or a telescope, and you'll see the Endymion Crater too.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

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

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

Having your name on a mysterious criminal database that leads to your detainment is the stuff of nightmares — but for an increasing number of people in the U.S., it's becoming a reality.

The gang databases responsible are the subject of Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight, with John Oliver discussing everything from people being flagged as gang members for innocuous posts on social media to outdated databases leading to people being detained years later.

"It is pretty clear that gang databases are way too easy to get on, way too hard to get off, and can turn people's lives upside-down. So what do we do? Well I'd argue we get rid of them. And if you think, 'Well hold on, how will police then stop gang violence?' I say, with police work. They could and should do actual police work focussing on where violence is concentrated, instead of fixating on labels," says Oliver.

"I'm not saying that violence associated with gangs isn't real or isn't a problem. I'm just saying the answer needs to go beyond policing and way beyond these databases."

Craving a little dystopian sci-fi or some too-crazy-to-be-a-true-story financial comedy to help get you through your work week? OK, how about a Ben Stiller dodgeball classic, or an Oscar-sweeping dark dramedy? All this and many more movies are available on Hulu.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said during a Q2 earnings call last week that Tesla's long-rumored "lower cost" new car will, in fact, be a stripped-down Model Y. Now, the details about the upcoming car are leaking.

Tesla enthusiast Luca Presti (via Teslarati) shared a Chinese video on Saturday detailing some of the alleged changes to the more "affordable" Model Y.

SEE ALSO: Tesla to launch Model 3 Plus with massive range

Presti's list of differences compared to the currently available Model Y is quite long, but it boils down to using cheaper materials, as well as removing some of the more luxurious features to make the car less costly to manufacture.

By far the biggest changes on the exterior are lack of glass roof, which has been replaced by a solid panel in the same color as the rest of the vehicle, as well as no light bar on the front or back. The reflective part of the tailgate is also gone. And even though we've seen rumors of this version having a shorter wheelbase and less legroom, it appears to be roughly the same as the current Model Y in the video Presti shared.

Inside, the rear display has been removed, the seats are partially covered in textile (instead of vegan leather) and the number of speakers has been reduced. The center console is now divided into two parts. In what appears to be a particularly stingy change, even the coat hooks are gone.

NotaTeslaApp has put together a list of changes in the lower cost Model Y, which includes those that can't be seen in leaks, but includes stuff that's fairly easy to remove, such as heated and ventilated seats and power reclining rear seats.

Tesla already did something similar with the Mexican version of the Model 3, which also has textile seats and no rear infotainment screen. Whether the new, cheaper Model Y will be more widely available remains to be seen.

Whether such a stripped-down Model Y will be worth buying is another matter, and it largely depends on price. Tesla's standard models include a lot of premium features not typically seen on entry-level variants of competing vehicles, so Tesla can afford to remove some of these and still be competitive (at the right price). But if the leaks are accurate, this really is a heavily stripped-down Model Y, and the missing features might be a tough pill to swallow for some buyers.

I know how difficult it can be to decide what to watch on Netflix, so why not let me save you the endless scrolling? As someone who's seen more movies than I can count, I'm confident I can guide you well.

The Donald Trump/Jeffrey Epstein scandal has been the topic of choice for most late night hosts this week — but if you need a recap, John Oliver has you covered.

During his intro to Last Week Tonight on Sunday, the host went through all the latest developments around the relationship between the U.S. president and the convicted child sex offender — one Trump has urged his followers to move on from.

SEE ALSO: Seth Meyers recaps the Trump/Epstein scandal in 10 damning minutes

Oliver unpacked everything from the 50th birthday card Trump allegedly sent Epstein — "'May every day be another wonderful secret' is absolutely what would be inside a Hallmark card if they had a subcategory called Birthday For Prolific Sex Traffickers," said Oliver — to the resurfaced footage of a 2010 deposition in which Epstein invokes various Amendments rather than responding to attorney Jack Scarola's question on whether or not he had "ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18."

"If the answer's no, just say that!" commented Oliver. "Instead Epstein started listing Amendments like he was ordering off the value menu."

Ultimately, Oliver concluded that despite his best efforts, Trump being unable to escape the Epstein scandal is offering a small measure of something that's been absent in the entire case so far.

"Look, maybe those files show nothing more than that Trump and Epstein are two creeps who enjoyed one another's company. Do I think that's possible? Though I'd like to answer that question, I'd like to plead the fourth, 12th and 22nd Amendment," Oliver said. "But even if that's the case, and Trump eventually ends up consumed by a conspiracy monster he cynically helped create and now can't control, then at least that'll be a slither of something that's frankly been in short supply in this whole Epstein story — and that is actual justice."

For more late night coverage of the growing Trump/Epstein story, check out Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and The Daily Show.

SAVE $149.01: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is down to $649.99 on Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on this popular model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 $649.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $149.01 Get Deal

For those who can’t get enough of good-looking fitness tech, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 might finally be worth the splurge — especially now that it’s $649.99 on Amazon as of July 28. That’s a full $149 off the usual $799 list price, and according to camelcamelcamel, the cheapest this watch has ever been.

This deal is specifically for the 49mm GPS + Cellular models paired with the indigo alpine or olive alpine loop (both in medium sizing). These aren’t just straps made for style; they’re designed for endurance athletes, backcountry explorers, and underwater adventurers alike.

A significant upgrade from the Ultra 1, the Ultra 2 is one of Apple’s toughest, most capable smartwatches to date. Its rugged titanium case, MIL-STD 810H testing, and 100m water resistance make it fit for nearly any extreme. You’re also getting a sapphire front crystal, customisable Action button, and incredibly bright Always-On Retina display — one of the brightest Apple’s ever made.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

Serious athletes will appreciate the precision dual-frequency GPS, advanced cycling and running metrics, offline topo maps, and automated workout tracking. There’s even cellular connectivity baked in, so you can leave your phone behind and still call, text, stream music, or get directions on the go (just remember to activate a service plan).

Battery life also outperforms most other smartwatches: up to 36 hours on a full charge, or a whopping 72 hours in Low Power Mode.

Altogether, if you’ve been eyeing this beast of a watch, now’s a smart time to snag one. 

If you’re planning to upgrade more of your tech setup, check out the best Apple deals of the week — including Macbooks, Airpods, and more. For those still choosing which brand they prefer, check out our list of smartwatches for every wrist among Apple, Samsung, FitBit, Garmin, and more.

If you want to add a splash of style or fun to your yard, patio, or walkway, Govee's latest Outdoor Clear Bulb String Lights are an easy way to get it done. Compared to previous models, these Clear Bulb lights are more elegant, and while they're certainly charming, they're also expensive and have a few of the usual drawbacks.

A tiny red star not far from Earth is turning out to be a heavyweight in the search for rocky worlds.

Nestled just 35 light-years away in space, the star L 98-59 is home to a tight-knit pack of exoplanets, including one that now appears to orbit at just the right distance to harbor liquid water. 

Using data from NASA’s TESS space telescope and a pair of high-precision instruments in Chile, scientists led by the Université de Montréal have confirmed a fifth planet in the system — and this one is in the so-called habitable zone. The team thinks it could receive as much warmth from its star as Earth does from the sun.

And it’s not alone. The L 98-59 system already has a reputation for its wide variety of intriguing exoplanets. 

"With its diversity of rocky worlds and range of planetary compositions, L 98-59 offers a unique laboratory to address some of the field’s most pressing questions," said René Doyon, one of the study's researchers, in a statement. "What are super-Earths and sub-Neptunes made of? Do planets form differently around small stars? Can rocky planets around red dwarfs retain atmospheres over time?"

SEE ALSO: NASA spacecraft snaps a rare photo of Mars and its moons together

Red dwarf stars like L 98-59, sometimes referred to as M-type stars, are the most ubiquitous kind in the Milky Way, yet nobody knows whether planets closely orbiting them can hold onto atmospheres, Néstor Espinoza, a Space Telescope Science Institute researcher, previously told Mashable. Though these host stars aren't as hot as the sun, nearby worlds would be exposed to their extreme stellar radiation.

Most astronomers agree that detecting atmospheres in general is crucial in the search for habitable worlds. NASA has playfully called Earth's own atmosphere its "security blanket": Without it, the type of life flourishing here wouldn't exist. This cocoon holds oxygen in the air and filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, all while keeping the world warm. Furthermore, it creates pressure that allows liquid water to pool on the surface.

Espinoza is a leader in the new massive James Webb Space Telescope study of rocky worlds, specifically to find out if planets around red dwarfs could have air. The campaign, first reported by Mashable, will take a closer look at a dozen nearby-ish planets outside the solar system over the next two years.

One of the exoplanets in the L 98-59 system, located in the constellation Volans, has already gotten a first look from Webb. A separate research team revealed that L 98-59 d, a bit larger and heavier than Earth, could have a sulfur-rich atmosphere that reeks of burnt matches and rotten eggs. Agnibha Banerjee, one of the researchers, said the team will need more observations to confirm those findings.

"If these findings can be confirmed and turn out to be true, this planet won't be pleasant on human noses," Banerjee previously told Mashable. "Then again, if a human in the far future were to ever visit, the smell would be the least of their problems — in the midst of crushing pressure, boiling temperatures, and toxic gases."

The latest discovery by the Montreal team of a fifth planet, known as L 98-59 f — along with insights into its planetary neighbors — will be presented in a new paper accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal.

"These new results paint the most complete picture we’ve ever had of the fascinating L 98-59 system," said Charles Cadieux, first author of the paper, in a statement. "It’s a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve by combining data from space telescopes and high-precision instruments on Earth, and it gives us key targets for future atmospheric studies with the James Webb Space Telescope."

This study uses data from two ground-based telescopes and two space telescopes. From top left to bottom right: European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope; ESO 3.6-metre telescope with the HARPS instrument; NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS); and the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: G. Hüdepohl / ESO / NASA illustrations

To discover the planet, the scientists didn't need new telescope time. Instead, they used cutting-edge techniques to squeeze more juice out of existing data. For instance, L 98-59 f doesn’t cross in front of its star from Earth's point of view, making it invisible to planet-hunting cameras. But researchers were able to detect it through subtle wobbles in the star’s motion, caused by the tug of the unseen planet’s gravity. 

By combining and reanalyzing records, they also dramatically improved estimates of the other planets’ sizes, weights, and orbits. One planet is smaller and lighter than Earth — a rare confirmed "sub-Earth" — while others show signs of being rich in water or heated by internal volcanic activity like Jupiter's moon Io, thanks to gravitational stretching. 

Many planet hunters haven't been this optimistic about the search for habitable worlds since the tantalizing TRAPPIST-1 system.

"With these new results," said coauthor Alexandrine L'Heureux in a statement, "L 98-59 joins the select group of nearby, compact planetary systems that we hope to understand in greater detail over the coming years."

SAVE $330: As of July 28, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $469 at Amazon. That's a 41% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $469 at Amazon
$799 Save $330 Get Deal

Looking for a new power station to power your next camping trip, road trip, or power outage? We've found just the deal for you. As of July 28, the impressive Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is back on sale, this time saving you $330 on list price.

This particular model provides a 1,500W AC output (with a 3,000W surge), so it can run things like fridges, electric pots, and even AC units. It weighs just 23.8lbs and features a foldable handle, so it’s perfect for camping trips.

SEE ALSO: There's still time to save $300 on the DJI Power 2000 portable power station

It charges up quickly, too. You'll only need one hour to go from 0 to 100% battery, with emergency charging enabled in the Jackery App (or 1.7 hours on the standard mode). It also benefits from a huge range of charging ports. This model benefits from USB-C, USB-A, AC outlets, a car port, and LED lights, and supports fast USB-C PD 100W charging.

It also has an incredible lifespan, equipped with a durable LFP battery, maintaining over 70% of its original capacity after 4,000 charge cycles, offering a lifespan of 10 years and more.

Get this deal from Amazon now before it runs out.

Grindr has begun blocking users from including the phrase "no Zionists" in their dating profiles. Attempting to do so now triggers an error message saying the terms "no Zionist" and "no Zionists" are "not allowed." The change was first reported by 404 Media on Thursday and later confirmed by Mashable on Saturday.

Credit: Grindr screenshot

But while Grindr has cracked down on that specific phrase, other offensive and exclusionary language — including "no FFA" (fats, femmes, Asians), "no Blacks," and even "no Jews" — remains allowed in user bios. These discriminatory "preferences" have long sparked criticism, and they appear to conflict with Grindr’s own terms of service, which prohibit content that a “reasonable person could deem to be objectionable,” including language that is "racially or ethnically… offensive."

"It's kind of crazy," said Gabriel, a Grindr user who showed me the error message firsthand. "Like I was typing a bunch of things in there, and I'm able to type stuff like no fats, no femmes, no Asians. The Zionists one is so crazy because I've seen people say no conservatives, no liberals. It's just interesting."

When reached for comment, a Grindr spokesperson told Mashable the restriction was introduced "following user escalations around its potentially inflammatory nature," and that the company is "currently conducting a review on this matter." Pressed on why "no Zionists" was flagged while other racially charged phrases remain untouched, a Grindr representative repeated that it is still reviewing the policy, offering no further explanation.

Grindr has long faced criticism for its inconsistent efforts to address racism on its platform. In 2020, amid the Black Lives Matter protests, the company pledged to remove its controversial ethnicity filters — but the feature remained active for weeks after the announcement, persisting through several app updates. The issue isn't exclusive to Grindr, either. On Hinge, for example, ethnicity is one of just three filters available to all users without a premium subscription, out of a total of 13.

As noted in 404 Media’s original report, Grindr’s founder, Joel Simkhai, is Israeli and left the company in 2018 after it was sold to a Chinese gaming firm. While that detail may offer some context, it doesn’t directly explain the platform’s sudden decision to crack down on anti-Zionist language. In a statement on X responding to the 404 Media story, the Anti-Defamation League praised Grindr for "prohibiting discrimination against Zionists," but added, "They should apply protection to all identities."

SAVE OVER $20: Pick up the Lego Disney and Pixar Up House for just $38.49 — a massive saving at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House $38.49 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $21.50 Get Deal

A Lego set from one of the best Pixar movies, Up, has suddenly become a lot more affordable. As of July 28, Walmart has dropped the price of the colourful Lego set of the house from Up to just $38.49. That’s a solid 36% discount on a beloved tribute to one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic films, and one of Lego standout builds celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary.

Designed for builders ages 9 and up, this 598-piece set features a charmingly detailed section of Carl Fredricksen’s flying house — complete with balloons, a chimney, and rooms filled with accessories that’ll spark creative play. It also comes with fan-favourite characters in Lego form: Carl, Russell, and everyone’s favourite golden retriever, Dug.

SEE ALSO: Our 13 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

It’s not just for kids either. With its nostalgic value and eye-catching design, this one doubles as a charming display piece for adult Disney fans and Pixar collectors alike. Standing over 10.5 inches tall, it holds its own on any shelf — or desk, if you need some joy between Zoom calls.

As a bonus, the Lego Builder app makes building even more interactive, allowing users to track progress, zoom in on pieces, and rotate the model in 3D.

With Disney’s centennial celebration in full swing, sets like this are flying off shelves — sometimes literally. If you’ve had your eye on the Up House, now’s the time to grab it before it floats away at full price again.

If you’ve got some more Lego money in the budget, check out our list of favourite Lego sets — written by actual Lego fans. What’s more, the Lego Ideas Insect Collection is still $16 off at Amazon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 28 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: Earliest

• Green: Proof

• Blue: Collectibles

• Purple: Types of films

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

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

• Yellow: Foremost

• Green: Indication

• Blue: Item in a collection

• Purple: ___ Movie

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 #778 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Foremost: FIRST, INITIAL, ORIGINAL, PRIMARY

• Indication: EVIDENCE, HINT, SIGN, TRACE

• Item in a collection: COIN, COMIC, RECORD, STAMP

• ___ Movie: BUDDY, CULT, DATE, SILENT

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Inch by inch, row by row

The words are plant-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things needed to grow plants.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Vegetable Garden.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 28

• Blossom

• Harvest

• Grow

• Ripen

• Seed

• Sprout

• Vegetable Garden

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