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The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards' audience gave Stephen Colbert a significant show of support on Sunday, offering a standing ovation when the beloved Late Show host took to the stage. Colbert announced in July that CBS had cancelled the long-running talk show, mere days after he'd accused its parent company Paramount of paying a bribe to President Donald Trump. 

SEE ALSO: All the winners from the 2025 Emmys

"While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?" Colbert quipped after over half a minute of cheering. "Because I've got 200 very well-qualified candidates with me tonight who will be available in June."

Colbert then handed off his own resume and significantly outdated head shot to Harrison Ford, asking that he pass it on to Stephen Spielberg, before presenting the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Colbert later returned to the Emmys stage to accept the award for Outstanding Talk Series, with The Late Show beating out The Daily Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live for the win. This time the audience didn't just give Colbert and his crew a standing ovation, but also chanted his name.

"I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be a part of the late night tradition, which I hope continues long after we're no longer doing this show," Colbert tactfully said in his acceptance speech. He also thanked his crew and his family, and dedicated the award to his parents, in-laws, and Amy Cole, his longtime executive assistant who passed away last March.

"Ten years ago in September of 2015, Spike Jones stopped by my office and said, 'Hey, what do you want this show to be about?'" Colbert said. "And I said, 'Ah, Spike, I don't know how you could do it, but I'd kind of like to do a late night show, you know, a late night comedy show that was about love.'

"And I don't know if I ever figured that out, but at a certain point — and you can guess what that point was — I realized that in some ways we were doing a late night comedy show about loss. And that's related to love, because sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it. And 10 years later in September of 2025, my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately. 

"God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor!"

CBS' decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was swiftly criticised by numerous other celebrities and late show hosts after it was announced in July. Social media users also expressed skepticism regarding CBS' claim that the cancellation was "purely a financial decision" and "not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount."

This appeared to be a reference to Paramount's then ongoing attempts to secure the Trump administration's approval for a proposed merger with Skydance Media — efforts that some speculate may have coloured its recent decisions. 

In early July, Paramount agreed it would pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit in which he claimed they'd deceptively edited a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to be favourable to her leading into November's presidential election. Paramount had previously called the lawsuit "completely without merit," making its capitulation appear highly suspect to many.

One such person Colbert himself, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump and who called out the settlement as a bribe. Trump subsequently responded to news of the Late Show's cancellation by stating that he "absolutely love[ed] that Colbert got fired," and calling for other late shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live to be cancelled next. The Trump administration approved the Skydance/Paramount merger one week after the Late Show's cancellation was announced.

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, with host Nate Bargatze kicking off the ceremony with a hilarious television-themed variation on his popular "Washington's Dream" Saturday Night Live skit.

Playing the all-electronic television's inventor Philo T. Fansworth, Bargatze rallied his disheartened assistants Mikey Day, Bowen Yang, and James Austin Johnson with bold visions of what TV would offer in the future. This included channels for every culture, like Telmundo for Spanish speakers, BET for Black viewers, and even a television network for white people: CBS. 

"And will there be a network for Asian people, sir?" asked Yang.

"What's that? You asked about streaming?" said Bargatze, launching into an explanation of how streaming companies will make their own shows about real murderers.

"Who would watch shows about murderers for entertainment?" asked Day.

"Your wife, my wife, everyone's wife," Bargatze replied. "And that is why we will pay the streaming subscription fees."

"Ah, I see," said Yang. "With streaming the viewer pays a fee, so there are no ads."

"If only it were so simple," Bargatze responded.

TL;DR: Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup group stage is really taking shape, with all eyes on securing progress to the Super Four. Sri Lanka will be confident of moving into the next round, but they need a result against Hong Kong.

If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong?

Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 15. This game takes place at the Dubai International Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong for free

Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, 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 Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong in the 2025 Asia Cup 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 Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Hong Kong 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 taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 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 the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: UAE vs. Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup is entering its second week, and the huge games continue to come. UAE vs. Oman is not the biggest fixture on the schedule, but both sides will be desperate to seal a victory here and avoid coming last in a tough Group A.

If you want to watch UAE vs. Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is UAE vs. Oman?

UAE vs. Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 8 a.m. ET on Sept. 15. This game takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

How to watch UAE vs. Oman for free

UAE vs. Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, 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 Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream UAE vs. Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup 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 Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream UAE vs. Oman 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 taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 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 the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

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

To tremble.

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

SHAKE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Moves quickly.

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

ZOOMS

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Width.

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

GIRTH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

More unusual.

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

ODDER

Final Hurdle hint

A problem.

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

ISSUE

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

We're moving towards the New Moon, and each night the moon is becoming less and less visible.

It's day 23 of the lunar cycle, a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth, so let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 15.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 15, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 38% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

So, what can we see tonight. Well, with just your naked eye you'll be able to spot the Kepler Crater and the Tycho Crater when you look up. If you want to see more, track down some binoculars and you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, the Gassendi Crater, and the Clavius Crater.

If you also have a telescope, point it upwards to add the Reiner Gamma, Schiller Crater, and the Fra Mauro Highlands to your list.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

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.

Tune out the naysayers because radio is alive and well. The likes of Amazon Music and Spotify were supposed to bring about a revolution in how we listen to music, but radio refuses to go quietly. Millions of people still tuning in to their favourite shows and stations, despite all of the podcasts and streaming platforms now available.

This is partly because of the growing popularity of DAB (digital audio broadcasting) radio, which is an upgrade itself on the very concept of radio. It promises less interference, a bigger choice of stations, and a stronger signal. Sounds good, right?

In other words, you need a DAB radio. After all, most DAB radios double up as a Bluetooth speaker, so you’re getting a 2-in-1 device. Before you part with your hard-earned cash, it’s worth knowing more about DAB radios and what they can do. Here's some useful information and a round-up of the best DAB radios right now.

What is DAB radio?

DAB stands for digital audio broadcasting — a nifty term for digital technology that transmits radio stations in excellent audio quality. DAB technology combines numerous stations into a group called a multiplex.

What is a DAB radio multiplex?

There are several national multiplexes in the UK. What this means is that multiple stations are broadcast together using a single frequency, as opposed to FM radio, where each station needs its own specific frequency. Your DAB radio receives the multiplex and picks out each individual station.

Do DAB radios pick up FM too?

Most DAB radios also have the option for FM, but make sure before purchasing — especially if having FM as well as DAB is a deal breaker.

What stations are available on DAB?

There are currently more than 50 national stations broadcasting in DAB. These include all the big hitters — BBC Radio 1, Capital, Classic FM, Heart, LBC, Magic, Radio X, talkRADIO, TalkSport, Virgin, and lots more. That’s not counting all the local and regional DAB stations too, which total 500-plus. These can also be listened to via compatible smart speakers, or over the internet via a desktop or smart device.

Do DAB radios have good sound quality?

Digital signals are generally more reliable than analogue signals, and DAB reception now stretches across almost all of the UK. This means that digital radios should be able to pick up a better quality of sound. More information can also be sent through digital signals, meaning stations can provide details like the name of the song or the artist.

Can you get DAB radio in your area?

Unlike regular radio, you won’t get an annoying hiss if you’re in a weak area. You either get DAB radio, or you don’t. For UK listeners, there’s a postcode checker. Unless you’re way out in the sticks, you should be fine. Experts recommend re-tuning your DAB every now and then to make sure you’re getting all available stations.

What is DAB+?

DAB+ is an upgraded version of DAB. It allows even more stations to be broadcast and has the capacity for even higher audio quality. Not all DAB radios have DAB+ so be sure to check. You’ll generally find that premium DAB radios are equipped with DAB+. Some DAB-only models are upgradeable to DAB+ with a firmware download.

What is internet radio?

This differs slightly from DAB radio. It's radio broadcast online, which means you'll need a radio with WiFi capability to listen to it. Some of the radios listed below have WiFi, though not all of them — so be sure you check the specifications before making a purchase. The benefit of internet radio is that you can listen to stations from all around the globe, meaning you have lots more choice. All you need is WiFi.

What is the best DAB radio?

It's no surprise that some of the most popular audio brands have released digital radios, and we’ve tracked down a selection of the very best options. All you need to do is pick a favourite and tune in. There's something here for every listener.

These are the best digital radios for 2025.

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday night, honouring some of the biggest names and best shows in television over the past year. 

Hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, this year's Emmy ceremony was once again held at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Fortunately, those in the U.S. who weren't blessed with an invitation were still able to watch the 2025 Emmy Awards live on CBS.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Severance seemed practically guaranteed to walk away with a trophy, boasting an impressive 27 nominations across both the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Having picked up eight Emmys in last week's ceremony, Severance rounded it out to 10 on Sunday with two more trophies which saw Tramell Tillman making history and Britt Lower dropping a cheeky Easter egg.

The popular Apple TV+ show was trailed in nominations by crime drama The Penguin's 24, while The Studio and The White Lotus both scored 23 nominations each. However, it was the The Studio that walked away with 13 awards (breaking The Bear's 2024 comedy win record), The Penguin taking nine, and The White Lotus winning only one for the theme song. Meanwhile, The Last of Us and Hacks received 16 and 14 nominations, respectively, with Hacks stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder winning awards — The Last of Us only won for Outstanding Sound Editing.

Plus, HBO Max's The Pitt took home five Emmys after 13 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting wins for Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa.

However, it was Adolescence which ultimately took home the most trophies on Sunday, picking up six Primetime Emmy Awards. This included Outstanding Limited Series as well as writing, directing, and acting awards for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and 15-year-old Owen Cooper.

Featured Video For You How 'The Studio' Crafted Its Oner

Shockingly, Andor received only three Primetime nominations, with none of its cast up for contention in any of the acting categories. As such, the Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series categories were the highly praised Star Wars series' only hope of taking home an Emmy. Fortunately, Andor's Dan Gilroy did ultimately win the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.

Here are all the winners at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Winners have been bolded.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This

• Seth Rogen, The Studio

• Jason Segel, Shrinking

• Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

• Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Uzo Aduba, The Residence

• Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This

• Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

• Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

• Jean Smart, Hacks

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Patricia Arquette, Severance

• Carrie Coon, The White Lotus

• Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt

• Julianne Nicholson, Paradise

• Parker Posey, The White Lotus

• Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus

• Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• Zach Cherry, Severance

• Walton Goggins, The White Lotus

• Jason Isaacs, The White Lotus

• James Marsden, Paradise

• Sam Rockwell, The White Lotus

• Tramell Tillman, Severance

• John Turturro, Severance

SEE ALSO: Tramell Tillman makes history with Emmys win for 'Severance' Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Kathy Bates, Matlock

• Sharon Horgan, Bad Sisters

• Britt Lower, Severance

• Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us

• Keri Russell, The Diplomat

SEE ALSO: Britt Lower's Emmys acceptance speech contained a hilarious 'Severance' Easter egg Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear

• Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

• Kathryn Hahn, The Studio

• Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

• Catherine O'Hara, The Studio

• Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary

• Jessica Williams, Shrinking

SEE ALSO: 'Hacks' star Hannah Einbinder's Emmys win speech is going viral Outstanding Reality Competition Program

• The Amazing Race

• RuPaul’s Drag Race

• Survivor

• Top Chef

• The Traitors

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• Ike Barinholtz, The Studio

• Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

• Harrison Ford, Shrinking

• Jeff Hiller, Somebody Somewhere

• Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear

• Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

• Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

• Lucia Aniello, Hacks

• James Burrows, Mid-Century Modern

• Nathan Fielder, The Rehearsal

• Seth Rogen, The Studio

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Philip Barantini, Adolescence

• Shannon Murphy, Dying for Sex

• Helen Shaver, The Penguin

• Jennifer Getzinger, The Penguin

• Nicole Kassell, Sirens

• Lesli Linka Glatter, Zero Day

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

• Janus Metz, Andor

• Amanda Marsalis, The Pitt

• John Wells, The Pitt

• Jessica Lee Gagné, Severance

• Ben Stiller, Severance

• Adam Randall, Slow Horses

• Mike White, The White Lotus

Outstanding Scripted Variety Series

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

• Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

• Dan Gilroy, Andor

• Joe Sachs, The Pitt

• R. Scott Gemmill, The Pitt

• Dan Erickson, Severance

• Will Smith, Slow Horses

• Mike White, The White Lotus

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Javier Bardem, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

• Bill Camp, Presumed Innocent

• Owen Cooper, Adolescence

• Rob Delaney, Dying for Sex

• Peter Sarsgaard, Presumed Innocent

• Ashley Walters, Adolescence

SEE ALSO: Watch Owen Cooper's heartfelt Emmys speech as he becomes youngest best supporting actor Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

• Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

• Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, Hacks

• Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Adam Locke-Norton, and Eric Notarnicola, The Rehearsal

• Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen, and Bridget Everett, Somebody Somewhere

• Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez, The Studio

• Sam Johnson, Sarah Naftalis, and Paul Simms, What We Do in the Shadows

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, Adolescence

• Charlie Brooker and Bisha K. Ali, Black Mirror

• Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether, Dying for Sex

• Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin

• Joshua Zetumer, Say Nothing

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)

• The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar

• Beyoncé Bowl

• The Oscars

• SNL50: The Anniversary Special

• SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series

• The Daily Show

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

• Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Erin Doherty, Adolescence

• Ruth Negga, Presumed Innocent

• Deirdre O'Connell, The Penguin

• Chloü Sevigny, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

• Jenny Slate, Dying for Sex

• Christine Tremarco, Adolescence

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Cate Blanchett, Disclaimer

• Meghann Fahy, Sirens

• Rashida Jones, Black Mirror

• Cristin Milioti, The Penguin

• Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Colin Farrell, The Penguin

• Stephen Graham, Adolescence

• Jake Gyllenhaal, Presumed Innocent

• Brian Tyree Henry, Dope Thief

• Cooper Koch, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

SEE ALSO: Stephen Graham gives emotional acceptance speech for best actor at 2025 Emmys Outstanding Talk Series

• The Daily Show

• Jimmy Kimmel Live!

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

SEE ALSO: Why Stephen Colbert got a standing ovation at the Emmy Awards Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

• Adolescence

• Black Mirror

• Dying for Sex

• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

• The Penguin

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary

• The Bear

• Hacks

• Nobody Wants This

• Only Murders in the Building

• Shrinking

• The Studio

• What We Do in the Shadows

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

• Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

• Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

• Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

• Adam Scott, Severance

• Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Outstanding Drama Series

• Andor

• The Diplomat

• The Last of Us

• Paradise

• The Pitt

• Severance

• Slow Horses

• The White Lotus

TL;DR: Give your PC a serious refresh with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, now just $12.97 (reg. $199) until Oct. 5.

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

Want to make your old PC feel new again? It can be as easy as loading a new operating system, like Microsoft Windows 11 Pro. Right now, you can give your device this revamp for just $12.97 (reg. $199), but you’ll want to act fast. This sale only runs through Oct. 5.

If you want your PC to feel new and exciting again, all you need to do is install a new operating system. Windows 11 Pro brings your old device into 2025, offering new perks and features that were designed with the modern professional in mind to help you work and play more efficiently.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best Windows laptops of 2025 to make Apple fans jealous

For just $13, you can enjoy a seamless interface, snap layouts, improved voice typing, a more powerful search experience, and access to Copilot, your own AI-powered assistant. The addition of DirectX 12 can take your gaming to the next level. And when it’s time to get back to work, you also get access to helpful apps like Microsoft Teams, Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox.

Windows 11 Pro has your personal security in mind, with improved cybersecurity features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection. And if you want to ditch your mouse and keyboard, Windows 11 Pro also supports touchscreen functionality.

Upgrade your computer with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for only $12.97 (reg. $199) until Oct. 5.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Write nonfiction books in minutes with this lifetime subscription to Youbooks AI Nonfiction Book Generator, now just $49 (reg. $540).

Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription $49
$540 Save $491 Get Deal

Are you an expert in a niche topic that you could write books about? If you’ve got all the book ideas, but none of the time to make them happen, it’s time to check out Youbooks. This AI nonfiction book generator can whip up comprehensive manuscripts for you with just a few prompts — and you’ll have full commercial rights.

Right now, you can write books on all kinds of topics with this lifetime subscription to Youbooks for just $49 (reg. $540).

Write unlimited nonfiction books with AI and keep full commercial rights

Turn your nonfiction books into a reality with a little help from Youbooks. This book generator is powered by popular AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Llama, so it can take your idea and turn it into a ready-to-publish book of up to 300,000 words.

Even though it’s written with help from AI, your finished manuscript won’t sound like it was drafted by a robot. Youbooks actually uses samples of your own writing to make sure it sounds like your unique tone. You can also upload your own research so your book is based on your own documents, transcripts, and memos.

SEE ALSO: 21 of the best AI courses you can take online for free

Since AI models are crafting the manuscript, you can rest easy that real-time web searches will make sure your nonfiction book includes the most up-to-date facts, statistics, and news.

Once finished, you’ll retain full commercial rights to the manuscript. This lifetime subscription means you’ll be able to write all the nonfiction books you can dream up. You’ll receive 150,000 credits each month — with each credit equaling one word or uploaded source word — which you can use towards both writing and source uploads.

Finish all the nonfiction books you can dream up with this lifetime subscription to Youbooks AI Nonfiction Book Generator, for only $49 (reg. $540).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Months after its launch, the least expensive Cybertruck is gone from Tesla's website, EV news site Electrek and others have reported.

The rear-wheel drive vehicle, called the Long Range, started at $69,990. Tesla launched the model back in April. As Engadget noted, it was $10,000 more than the expected price at the time. Tesla removed several features from the Long Range that were present in more expensive models, like active suspension and a back row touchscreen.

SEE ALSO: Yet another platform drops Elon Musk's X after API changes

Now, the only Cybertruck models that appear on Tesla's website (as of this publication) are the All-Wheel Drive, which starts at $72,490, and the Cyberbeast, which starts at $114,990. Tesla increased the price of the Cyberbeast last month with the mandatory "Luxe Package," including Full Self-Driving, four-year premium service, free and unlimited supercharging, and "premium" connectivity.

Although there's currently no way to order the rear-wheel drive Cybertruck model from Tesla's site, Tesla's AI assistant still shared details about the Long Range Cybertruck with Mashable, and even offered to schedule a test drive. But the link it provided for more details still only offered the All-Wheel Drive and Cyberbeast models.

Tesla's AI assistant sharing highlights for the Long Range Cybertruck. Credit: Screenshot: Tesla

It's unclear whether Tesla has discontinued the Long Range model or if its removal from the site is temporary. Mashable has reached out to Tesla for comment.

TL;DR: India vs. Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There aren't many bigger sporting rivalries than India vs. Pakistan. It's right up there with USA vs. Canada, England vs. Australia, and Brazil vs. Argentina.

And the 2025 Asia Cup is presenting an opportunity to see these sides go head-to-head in the T20 format. Both teams will expect to progress from Group A in this competition, but bragging rights will belong to whichever side tops the standings. That is until the Asia Cup winner is eventually decided.

If you want to watch India vs. Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. Pakistan?

India vs. Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 14. This game takes place at the Dubai International Stadium.

How to watch India vs. Pakistan for free

India vs. Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, 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 Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup 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 Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream India vs. Pakistan 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 taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 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 the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Turkey vs. Germany in EuroBasket 2025 is available to live stream for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

EuroBasket 2025 has provided some much-needed entertainment for basketball fans during the NBA off-season. And speaking of the NBA, some of its biggest stars have competed in this tournament, including Nikola Jokič, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

We've now reached the final game of this fascinating competition, with Turkey and Germany competing for the trophy. If you want to watch Turkey vs. Germany in EuroBasket 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Turkey vs. Germany?

Turkey vs. Germany in the EuroBasket 2025 final takes place at 2 p.m. ET on Sept. 14.

How to watch Turkey vs. Germany for free

Turkey vs. Germany in the EuroBasket 2025 final is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, 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 Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream EuroBasket 2025 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 Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Live stream EuroBasket 2025 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 taking advantage of these offers, you can watch Turkey vs. Germany in EuroBasket 2025 without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking free streaming sites, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 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 Turkey vs. Germany in the EuroBasket 2025 final for free with ExpressVPN.

Claude introduced memory this week, but only for certain paid users of the AI model.

Days after Anthropic announced that Claude can make spreadsheets and decks, it introduced a memory feature for those on Team and Enterprise plans. The AI model now "remembers you and your team's projects and preferences," Anthropic stated in a blog post released on Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic launches Claude Chrome extension: How to try it

Claude's memory functionality isn't available for free users or those paying for its individual Pro or Max plans. Anthropic, however, also announced the release of incognito chats (the same idea as Chrome's incognito window), which are available for all users. These chats don't appear in one's conversation history or save to memory.

For users paying for Claude at work, the model now "remembers" professional contexts, including client needs and project details, as well as your team's patterns, like your processes. Claude will also create a separate memory for each project, if you use the projects feature (a "self-contained" workspace with its own chat related to that subject).

Memory has "new safety considerations," according to Anthropic, that are designed to be used for work and avoid archiving sensitive conversations and topics, but the blog post doesn't go into specifics. Anthropic will evaluate and test how the memory function works before expanding it to other users.

For those on the Team and Enterprise plans, Claude memory can be enabled in the app's settings. There, you can see exactly what Claude remembers, according to the blog post, and adjust "memory summaries" to focus on or ignore some details. Enterprise admins can also disable memory for all users under their plan at any time.

Users can also import memory from other AI programs into Claude, or export their Claude memory. Given that Google Gemini and ChatGPT have long had memory — and even expanded the feature over time — this is a step towards Anthropic catching up.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

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.

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 Mini crossword answers, hints for September 13, 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: Sports gear

• Green: Multi-color

• Blue: Related to player

• Purple: Same school

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: Track and field equipment

• Green: Purple and gold teams

• Blue: Associated with A'ja Wilson

• Purple: University of Washington alumni

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 #356 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Track and field equipment - BATON, HAMMER, HURDLE, POLE

• Purple and gold teams - EAST CAROLINA, LAKERS, LSU, VIKINGS

• Associated with A'ja Wilson - A'ONE, ACES, MVP, SOUTH CAROLINA

• University of Washington alumni - MOON, PENIX, PLUM, ROY

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.

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

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

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Loud and disruptive.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.

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...

NOISY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The words are pace-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to describe slow movers.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Not So Fast.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 14

• Steady

• Slow

• Pokey

• Sluggish

• Not So Fast

• Leisurely

• Relaxed

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.

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 September 2, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A foyer

• Green: Navigation tools

• Blue: To transcend

• Purple: Famous roads

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: Entryway

• Green: Map features

• Blue: Surpass

• Purple: Streets with symbolic importance

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 #826 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Entryway: DOOR, GATE, HATCH, PORTAL

• Map features: COMPASS, INSET, KEY, SCALE

• Surpass: BEAT, BEST, BETTER, TOP

• Streets with symbolic importance: DOWNING, FLEET, MAIN, WALL

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

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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 Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025:

AcrossTailgate attendee

• The answer is Fan.

Sin City

• The answer is Vegas.

Seine city

• The answer is Paris.

Fashion designer Madden

• The answer is Steve.

"You get what I'm saying?"

• The answer is See.

DownMajor accomplishments

• The answer is Feats.

Side (with)

• The answer is Agree.

Likely to buy an obvious lie

• The answer is Naive.

Elected officials who ride in Air Force Two: Abbr.

• The answer is VPS.

Opposite of NNW

• The answer is SSE.

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 today's Mini Crossword.

Flagship headphones are billed as the absolute best portable audio experience money can buy. You’re paying top dollar for what are considered luxury tech products. Therefore, the expectation for high-end results is warranted. 

Not all the best headphones and earbuds meet this requirement. Those that do are heavily assisted by a vast feature set consisting of multiple enhancement tools. These can be customary extras like an adjustable EQ, noise cancellation, or voice activation for hands-free functionality. It can also be less-notable features you’ve either forgotten about or are completely oblivious to. I’m talking about features that upgrade your headphones for optimal performance. 

Pair your headphones to your smartphone and let’s jump right in.

Lossless playback Listen to your music in higher quality. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Several of the best headphones and earbuds come with a lossless audio codec. It is often the default on Android devices (sorry, iPhone owners), but that isn’t always the case. You should make sure to go into the Bluetooth settings of your media device to ensure that it’s enabled. Look for aptX Adaptive/Lossless or LDAC to appear next to the device name. Another option is going into your headphones’ companion app and toggling the feature.

These codecs stream music files at faster bitrates than standard codecs (e.g., AAC, SBC) and reveal more nuance from recordings.

Lossless audio can also be enjoyed via wired mode on certain headphones with a 3.5mm or USB-C port. Check online to see if your model supports the feature. If so, you won’t have to toggle any settings because the feature is automatically enabled, at least with certain devices and music services. Apple Music makes you go through the iOS/mac OS settings to turn it on.

iOS: Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality > Lossless Audio

macOS: Settings > Playback > Audio Quality > Lossless Audio

Reverse charging No portable charger, no sweat. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Say your favorite portable charger was left at home, and your Sony WH-1000xM6 headphones are about to die before jumping on a flight. What’s the next best available option? Reverse charging. This technology works by taking power from one device and transferring some of it to another. In other words, something like your iPhone can act as a power source and recharge the headphones via USB-C cable. This works with all USB-C devices, including Android phones/tablets and most laptops. 

The shortcut widget Shortcuts grant you access to features from your phone's homescreen. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Going into your headphones’ companion app to enable special features becomes tedious after a while. The shortcut widget lets you do this on your smartphone’s homescreen. Certain companies have programmed this feature into the Android interface (usually in the notifications section) for instant access to battery level indicators and listening modes, which is great for instant personalization. Anyone with an iOS device can access the Control Center (swipe down on the top right of the screen) to extend functionality on the AirPods. 

Spatial audio (on your phone) Turn on spatial audio for a more immersive experience. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

3D sound isn’t exclusive to select wireless audio products. Some smartphones (mainly Android) offer the feature for free and make it compatible with all wireless and wired headphones. Look no further than the latest Google Pixel phones. The quickest way to access spatial audio is to search for the term in the settings menu. Another way is to enter the settings menu, select Sound and Vibration, and pick Spatial Audio. Note that Google’s head-tracked Spatial Audio will only work with the Pixel Buds Pro series.

Sidenote: The latest OnePlus smartphones provide the same service for all wireless headphones.

Multipoint pairing Multipoint pairing allows easy swapping between devices. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Also known as dual-pairing mode, multipoint is a common feature on modern headphones that not a lot of people know about. Being able to jump between two devices and not disconnect or unpair the headphones is a massive perk that shouldn’t be taken for granted. You can enable it in your headphones’ companion app.

Sidetone Use this setting to improve call quality. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Call quality can be hit or miss on headphones. The more advanced models let you adjust speaking volume during calls. That’s pretty much what the sidetone feature is. It makes your voice clearer on both ends. The best Bose headphones have it, as do the Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 10, which are the company’s final true wireless releases. AirPods have the voice isolation feature to emphasize vocal capture for clearer-sounding calls in loud environments.

Head gestures A simple nod can answe an incoming phone call. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

This is a newer feature, and one that you’ll want to exercise frequently to avoid unwanted phone calls. Performing a side-to-side head shake on the latest AirPods or Sony headphones/earbuds will reject incoming calls, while a head nod accepts them. Apple users can enable it in the AirPods’ dedicated settings menu, and Sony users can toggle it in the Sound Connect app.