Mashable

SAVE $200: Amazon has the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale for just $799 as of Sept. 3, but only in two colors. That's 20% off its $999 MSRP and its lowest price to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200 Get Deal

Apple's 13-inch M4 MacBook Air has been on sale for the record-low price of $799 on Amazon since just after Prime Day in late July — a $200 savings on the usual $999 sticker price. It's a sizable discount we never expected to see so soon in the laptop's life cycle, given its popularity and already reasonable MSRP. That said, it looks like we might not see it for much longer.

As of Sept. 3, the base M4 MacBook Air is still marked down to $799 on Amazon, but only in two colors: starlight and sky blue. The midnight and silver variants have risen to $879, or just $120 off. We check the listing daily, and this is the first time we've noticed this change.

SEE ALSO: Should you skip the M5 MacBook and hold out for the OLED version?

Meanwhile, all four colorways are bumped up to $879.40 at Best Buy, which usually matches Amazon's MacBook deals to the cent. The writing's on the wall: This deal is probably on its way out.

For reference, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is the latest iteration of Apple's smallest, lightest laptop and its best option for budget shoppers, IMO. It's ridiculously fast but quiet, its 12MP selfie camera is an improvement over its predecessor's 1080p shooter, and it now supports two external displays with its lid open. (Read our full review of the 15-inch model.)

The M4 MacBook Air starts with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. If you need a tad more storage in your daily driver, you can upgrade to the 512GB model for $999 (normally $1,199) — and take your pick from any color.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Sept. 3, get the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) for $894.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) $894.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $104.01 Get Deal

In the market for a new tablet? There are always excellent options to choose from when it comes to Apple's iPad selection. And though we're now past Labor Day weekend, there are still plenty of deals to be had on popular models. This applies to models like the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro, which is actually more like a portable and lightweight version of the MacBook Pro.

As of Sept. 3, get the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) for $894.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999. That's $104.01 off and a discount of 10% on list price.

SEE ALSO: Pixel 10 Pro review: A very impressive camera makes up for some notable flaws

This is a powerful tablet that can do just about anything you need it to. Powered by an M4 chip, it offers speed and top-tier performance no matter whether you're creating a presentation or watching your favorite movies or TV shows. It's a master of multitasking too, so you can get things done at breakneck speed for a tablet.

With an 11-inch screen and just 0.21 inches of thickness, it's all about power and efficiency while remaining a lightweight and perfectly portable build. Plus, if you add peripherals like a keyboard, it can be used as a MacBook alternative that just so happens to have a touchscreen. If you don't want to do all that, it's still a tablet that you can take notes on with an Apple Pencil, join meetings, and then some.

If you're in the market for a tablet that runs more like a laptop, this is the deal to scoop up while it's still live.

Thousands of pieces from Lego's "Pick a Brick" service are no longer available to customers in the U.S. and Canada as of this week, which could make it harder for hobbyists to customize their sets and replace lost bricks. You can probably blame President Donald Trump.

Pick a Brick is an online service offered by the Lego Store that lets fans order individual pieces for as little as three cents. The Lego news and reviews site New Elementary reports that "thousands of elements" from its "Standard" collection were removed from the service for North American customers on Aug. 25. Approximately 1,500 pieces from its mainstream "Bestseller" collection still remain.

A screenshot of Lego's Pick a Brick page on Friday, Aug. 29. Credit: Mashable / Screenshot via Lego.com

Lego is calling the removal a "service pause" in a note at the top of the Pick a Brick landing page. "In the US & Canada, Standard pieces are temporarily unavailable," the note reads. "You can still shop our Bestseller range which includes thousands of the most popular bricks and pieces ready to order."

When reached for comment, a Lego spokesperson shared a similar statement with Mashable:

We have temporarily paused orders and shipment on a small selection of Standard pieces in the Lego Pick a Brick range in the U.S. and Canada. We are working with our delivery partners to resolve this as quickly as possible. 

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can still shop the Lego Pick a Brick Bestseller range which includes thousands of our most popular bricks and pieces.

Lego didn't specify why its selection had changed, but as New Elementary and others note, Trump's tariff policy is the likely cause. (The company's spokesperson declined to answer a question asking to confirm this.)

More specifically, Trump has eliminated the "de minimis" import rule that exempted packages from taxes and customs duties like tariffs if they amounted to less than $800. The change went into effect on Aug. 29, four days after New Elementary flagged the Standard pieces' disappearance.

SEE ALSO: The best new Lego sets that just dropped: 'Star Wars,' 'One Piece,' and Botanicals fans will be happy

USA Today reports that more than 30 countries have stopped shipping to the U.S. in response to the end of di minimus — including Belgium and the Czech Republic, where Lego has distribution centers. Per New Elementary, Standard Pick a Brick pieces are stored and shipped to North American customers from Lego's European warehouses, while Bestseller pieces are located in the U.S.

AFOLs in search of Standard pieces that Lego no longer carries might have luck on third-party marketplaces like BrickOwl and BrickLink.

After ending the de minimis exemption for imports from China and Hong Kong in May, Trump ordered its global termination in July. A White House fact sheet announcing de minimis' suspension called it "a catastrophic loophole used to, among other things, evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products." But as Mashable previously reported, the end of the exemption will make previously cheap products more expensive for U.S. shoppers, and force small businesses that rely on international goods to decide between absorbing the new costs or increasing their prices.

UPDATE: Sep. 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with a statement from a Lego spokesperson.

Since I fell in love reviewing the ReMarkable 2 in 2020, I've had one wish for the Norwegian whizz kids behind this state-of-the-art e-ink tablet: Make one like this but smaller, please.

Why? Because while it's nice to write on a super-slim, silver, LED-free "magic legal pad from the future," as I still call it, there are times when the form factor of a legal pad feels like too much. Use one on a plane tray table, for example, and you might feel exposed to the prying eyes of seatmates. Then there's the portability factor: An e-ink notebook/sketchbook you can just slip into your pocket like a smartphone, rather than tote it around in a laptop bag, seems like a no-brainer.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader

The ReMarkable Paper Pro, released last year, went in the wrong direction bulk-wise. To gain a color screen, it had to get slightly wider and slightly heavier than the ReMarkable 2. The screen size jumped from 10 to 11 inches. I've often looked wistfully at my 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite, thinking: why can't I just write on that size of e-ink screen? (To be fair, judging by the 10-inch Kindle Scribe, Amazon doesn't get this need either.)

Now, finally, ReMarkable is the first e-ink tablet maker to get it. With the launch of the Paper Pro Move ($449 with regular Marker stylus, $499 with Marker Plus, available for order now on Remarkable.com), we have a 7.8-inch notebook screen that's satisfyingly small and portable. Amazingly, ReMarkable has done this while retaining all the Paper Pro's color e-ink functionality — and the aspect ratio of its pages.

I've been using the Move for two weeks, and I very much like what I'm seeing. Because here's the ingenious part of the Move's design: ReMarkable didn't opt for the form factor of a regular old Kindle (or a medium Moleskine, to put it in paper notebook terms). Instead the company drew inspiration from something so obvious, this reporter has smacked his head that he didn't think of it: the classic reporter's notebook.

Opens in a new window Credit: ReMarkable ReMarkable Paper Pro Move Starting at $449 on Remarkable.com Shop Now ReMarkable enters your pocket

It's not just that reporter's notebooks are longer and thinner, all the better to take fast notes while on your feet at a press conference. It's not just that a thinner device is easier to stuff in your pocket (some pockets, to be fair, are too small to fully contain the Move). It's also what a longer, thinner design means in the context of ReMarkable world.

In landscape orientation, the Paper Pro Move's screen is literally 1/3 of the Paper Pro's screen. You might almost think the company makes its Moves by chopping its Paper Pros into three (to be clear, that's not how it's done). What this allows you to do is open a document on the Paper Pro Move at the exact same size as it is on the Paper Pro. You just need to scroll a few times to see the whole thing.

Such smart design thinking is not a given. Indeed, this was one problem with the switch between ReMarkable 2 and Paper Pro: the devices created documents at different sizes, so it was annoying to go back and forth between them. (The Markers were also not interoperable; thankfully, the Paper Pro and Paper Pro Move can both use the same Marker).

In portrait mode, the Paper Pro Move automatically fits the page to the screen. (It also pins the menu bar to the top of the page, which makes more sense than left or right.) If you go back and forth between portrait and landscape mode, you'll probably be able to tell which mode any particular notes were written in; the words might look too small or too large in the other mode.

Using the ReMarkable Paper Pro Move in the wild Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Personally, I've really enjoyed writing in tight, tiny lines in portrait mode, as if I'm trying to save paper, and quite enjoy how that looks in regular (landscape orientation) size. But your writing mileage may vary. And if you're using ReMarkable's highly effective handwriting-to-text conversion feature, the size of your scrawl may not matter at all.

Your battery mileage will vary too In my enthusiastic testing, the battery life came nowhere close to ReMarkable's claim that it can last a full two weeks. To be fair, this is going to depend largely on how much you use the e-ink backlight (which also seems improved, and more evenly distributed around the screen, than in the Paper Pro). If you're not going to use the backlight at all, two weeks of battery life seems a reasonable expectation.

ReMarkable Paper Pro Move comes with caveats

The form factor of a reporter's notebook isn't great for everything you can do on an e-ink screen. Many PDFs and EPUB files will look a tad too small in Portrait Mode, so you either have to flip the screen and scroll a lot, or mess around with pinch and zoom. That, unfortunately, is not helped by the one thing that still feels buggy about e-ink screens: if you're moving through or around pages too fast, they can't always keep up. A slow refresh rate can have you scrolling through pages faster than you intend.

If you're used to LED-screen smartphones rather than Kindles, say, this may be an exercise in frustration. Also frustrating is the color refresh problem that carries over from the Paper Pro: Any color you use that isn't black has to flash on and off. But if you're new to ReMarkable world, and to writing with e-ink, you're going to be pleasantly surprised at how fast and natural writing itself (in regular black on white) feels.

You'll have to decide whether to go naked without the Folio covers, which cost extra, or spend up to $100 more to protect your screen from whatever scratch-creating objects might be in your pocket or bag. With the Paper Pro I tended to go naked, because it slotted into my bag nicely next to my iPad and Macbook. The Paper Pro Move feels more comfortable with its cover on.

The Paper Pro Folio also comes with a keyboard, which isn't an option with the Move Folio covers. The Move has only an on-screen keyboard, but ReMarkable says it will play nicely with external Bluetooth keyboards in a future update.

Having a cover doesn't help with what I believe to be one of the biggest battery drains with all ReMarkable devices: it's too easy to press the on button when it's in your pocket or bag. Not for e-ink tablets the smart detection that prevents this from happening with an iPad.

There's one final caveat on cost. if you want more than your 50 most recent documents to sync to other devices (including the ReMarkable desktop, iOS and web app readers), you'll need the ReMarkable Connect service. This is free for the first 100 days, and costs $2.99 a month or $29 a year thereafter.

Conclusion: This notebook is magic

Ultimately, the proof is in the writing. And I have been writing, in more places than ever: On planes, on trains, in automobiles (I don't recommend the latter if you get carsick easily, but the desire was there). I've written in bed while disturbing my partner less. I've pulled it out of my pocket in waiting rooms; I've jotted notes on it while friends I was having coffee with were busy typing "just one quick email" on their smartphones.

The best notebook or writing tablet, to paraphrase a common saying about cameras, is the one you have with you. And the ReMarkable Paper Pro Move is a notebook you're going to want to have with you, for the sharpness of the result as well as the portability factor. If you've got room in your pockets for a second gadget to tote everywhere like you tote your smartphone, and if you're prepared to leave your wallet a little roomier, then this may be the Move.

Where to buy the ReMarkable Paper Pro Move Opens in a new window Credit: ReMarkable ReMarkable Paper Pro Move Starting at $449 on Remarkable.com Shop Now

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 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: The inception

• Green: To connect

• Blue: Old-school tech

• Purple: Associated with a springtime month

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: Beginning

• Green: Join

• Blue: TV-related abbreviations in the '80s

• Purple: May___

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 #815 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Beginning: BIRTH, DAWN, GENESIS, START

• Join: BOND, COMBINE, FUSE, WED

• TV-related abbreviations in the '80s: ALF, MTV, NES, VHS

• May___: DAY, FLOWER, FLY, POLE

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.

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: That's so sweet!

The words are types of seasonings.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are kinds of sweeteners.

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 Sugary.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 3

• Cube

• Turbinado

• Powdered

• Sugary

• Invert

• Brown

• Granulated

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.

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:

A game dogs love to play.

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 F.

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...

FETCH.

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.

Stephen Colbert was welcomed back to work on Tuesday by a viral rumor that Trump had died, supported by a lack of sightings of the president over and before Labor Day Weekend and some strange footage of someone dropping garbage bags out of an upper window of the White House.

The official explanation for the latter? "Regular maintenance," which prompted an eyebrow raise from Colbert.

"'I guess it's plausible, maybe they're doing renovations or something like that,' is what I thought until Trump was asked about it a press conference today. Here's what he said about the video of garbage bags clearly being dropped out of a window," says Colbert in the clip above, before playing footage of Trump saying the video is "probably AI", before going on to add: "If something happens really bad, just blame AI."

"You just blamed AI!" says an outraged Colbert. "You just blamed AI! Which means something really bad happened? Are you dead?! Were you in those bags?! Are you AI?! Please tell me you're AI!"

With inflation and tariffs, the cost of living has only gone up — and not just for groceries and tech products. Daters have also felt the squeeze, so much so that some men are saying they'd "date" AI in order to save money.

Just under one in three men (28 percent) said they'd date an AI over being single if they had to cut costs, according to a survey from AI companion company Joi AI.

Joi surveyed 1,000 men aged 18-44 in June, and 36 percent also said dating an AI could save them hundreds each month.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI announces new parental controls for teen ChatGPT users

More than half of the millennial and Gen Z men surveyed believe AI relationships are more "financially practical" than human ones, while nearly half believe that AI dates could fulfill emotional needs — at least to some extent.

Meanwhile, 17 percent of those surveyed have flirted with an AI, and 12 percent said they weren't sure or maybe did so "jokingly."

Even though most of the men surveyed would rather stay single than date an AI to save money, the financial anxiety is real: 28 percent — the same amount who'd date an AI — said they feel anxious about how much a date might cost. Nearly half (49 percent) said they sometimes feel that way. Over half, 64 percent, said they'd lower their standards if income didn't matter to their partner.

While Joi AI is obviously invested in people having relationships with bots, it's true that people are turning to LLMs for companionship.

A recent survey from Common Sense Media found that some teens regularly chat with AI companions. When speaking about a previous survey from Joi AI, an expert told Mashable that it didn't surprise her that young adults would want to "marry" a chatbot at a time when they're frequently anxious and chatbots are providing nonjudgmental replies.

Back in June, CBS interviewed a couple of people — with human partners — who also fell in love with AI. One of them cited "being able to be received with acceptance and validation and nonjudgment" as one reason.

And now we have yet another reason: money. Then again, these men would have to budget for the costs of AI subscriptions.

TL;DR: This refurbished MacBook Air is $199.97 with free shipping. It’s the ultimate second laptop for work, travel, or streaming — without the huge price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03 Get Deal

Sometimes you don’t need a brand-new, top-of-the-line computer — you just need a reliable, portable device that can keep up with your day-to-day needs. That’s exactly what this refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch offers, and right now you can grab one for only $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping.

If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, this deal makes even more sense. Maybe you want a backup computer for home, a travel companion for flights, or a dedicated laptop for streaming and browsing that you don’t have to worry about. For less than the cost of an iPhone repair, this MacBook Air checks all the boxes.

SEE ALSO: The Swift 16 Air is Acer's new MacBook challenger

Despite being a refurbished model, this machine doesn’t skimp on performance. Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, it handles everyday tasks like email, web browsing, word processing, and light streaming with ease. The 128GB SSD gives you plenty of room for documents and media, while the 12-hour battery life means you can unplug and stay productive all day.

The 13.3-inch widescreen display with a 1440×900 resolution makes working on the go comfortable, and with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, staying connected is effortless. Whether you’re transferring files, hopping on a Zoom call, or streaming a movie, this MacBook Air delivers without fuss.

And yes, as with most refurbished products, you may notice some light wear — small scuffs or scratches on the case — but that’s part of the trade-off for not having to shell out the full $999. What you get is a Grade A/B refurbished laptop that works like it should, for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

If you’ve been meaning to add a second device to your tech lineup, this is the most affordable way to do it — while staying in the Apple family.

Get this refurbished Apple MacBook Air $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When the Sony WF-1000XM5 debuted in summer 2023, they took the industry by storm, setting standards for active noise cancellation and sound in the true wireless space. Two years later, and very little has changed.

These next-gen buds were given the full brand treatment, which consists of class-leading sound technologies, extended playtimes, and stunning craftsmanship. The results still speak loudly because no new release or rerelease (we’re looking at you, AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C) has dethroned them from the top spot.

Here’s my updated take on the Sony WF-1000XM5 and why they remain some of the best earbuds overall.

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds specs and setup

The Sony WF-1000XM5 launched with a robust spec sheet that holds up strong against modern competitors. 

The Sony WF-1000XM5s have remained some of our favorite earbuds since they were released. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

See for yourself.

• Speaker Driver Unit: 8.4 mm

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz

• Adaptive active noise cancellation

• Powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V2

• Multiple proprietary technologies (e.g., 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, LDAC)

• IPX4 sweat and water resistance

• 8 hours of battery with ANC on / 12 hours with ANC off

• Up to 36 hours of additional playtime with wireless charging case

• 3-minute quick charging equals 1 hour of listening time

• Earpiece sizes: XS, S, M, L

• Colors: Black, smoky pink, white

Sony headphones and earbuds easily pair to Android and iOS/macOS devices; the former provides convenient wireless features such as Google’s one-tap Fast Pair and Find My Device. Downloading the Sony Sound Connect app grants access to a variety of features that extend functionality across the board (more on that later). 

The WF-1000XM5s are programmed with multiple smart controls. These include Mark Series headphones staples like Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat, which lower the volume to 10 percent when performing the long-hold gesture and pause playback upon detecting your voice, respectively. Touch controls and wear detection are on point, seamlessly operating all major functions: call management, digital assistance, listening modes, playback, shortcut actions (e.g., Spotify Tap), and volume. Alexa and Google Assistant voice activation are available for hands-free voice commands. The buds are also compatible with Siri on iOS/macOS. Everything works well.

Other notables worth mentioning are wireless charging and multipoint technology to pair to two Bluetooth audio sources simultaneously.

It's hard to beat Sony's audio quality. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Everything the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds do right

These buds are magnificent on so many levels, starting with sound quality. Sony’s soundstage is clear, spacious, and well-balanced. Expect a fine mix of bumping lows, crisp mids, and striking highs that blend beautifully on contemporary tracks. Bass is tamer than on the WF-1000xM4, but still impactful and resonant.

Toying with Sony’s sound features will heighten the listening experience. The customizable EQ can be used to manually adjust frequencies, plus there are numerous presets that produce quality audio for their respective categories. Find My EQ takes all the legwork out of creating a sound profile by automatically tweaking the soundstage to your hearing preferences. LDAC codec support streams music at a high bitrate to hear more detail and nuance on recordings. 360 Reality Audio accurately positions audio based on head movement and makes content more immersive. Then comes the crème de la crème of Sony features, DSEE, a technology that boosts fidelity on low-quality audio files. It’s a game-changer that everyone should be using to enhance sound on their Sony headphones.

The author wearing the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Many experts view the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as the best noise-cancelling earbuds, but the WF-1000XM5s aren’t far behind. They eliminate close to 90 percent of unwanted noises. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians, household appliances, and the humming sounds from a washing machine go unnoticed. While some high-frequency sounds are audible (e.g., crying babies, sirens), none will break your concentration. Sony’s 20-level transparency mode is a category best that demonstrates remarkable ambient noise and vocal capture for peak awareness. I’m always eavesdropping on loud conversations and keeping an ear out for emergency vehicles in my vicinity. 

Battery life is high. A full charge generates up to 12 hours of playtime, depending on how you use the buds, and a three-minute charge nets you one hour of listening time. The charging case holds an additional 36 hours and supports reverse charging. Speaking of which, the case is lighter, slimmer, and smaller than its predecessor. The buds’ updated design is also magnetizing. Details like the angled nozzles, full matte finish, and small wind-resistant mesh grilles give them a lavish appearance. IPX4 protection keeps the buds safe from sweat and water splashing.

Rounding out the positives are great call quality and versatile connectivity across all Bluetooth-compatible devices.

What the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds do wrong

Despite their pleasant comfort, the WF-1000XM5 often fall out due to the slippery plastic frame. The setup process for 360 Reality Audio is equally annoying, and struggles to scan selfies of your ears and head. Even worse is the head-tracking test that requires several attempts to properly register head movements.

Are the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds worth it?

Every. Single. Penny.

Very few models match the WF-1000XM5s' sonic prowess, and those that do lack Sony’s multifaceted sound suite. ANC is stellar at minimizing background noise. High playtimes keep you entertained for lengthy periods. The redesign is gorgeous. Lastly, the Sound Connect app gives you a multitude of ways to personalize the buds.

Whatever weaknesses the WF-1000XM5s have are insignificant when compared to their strengths. 

The Sony WF-1000XM5s have been marked up to $329 (originally $299), thanks to the current tariff fiasco. However, you can often find the buds on sale for less than $250.

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds $213 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $116.99 Shop Now

We've only just begun to dig into the post-apocalyptic nightmare that is 28 Years Later, with the second part of director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland's 28 Days Later reunion set to hit cinemas.

Directed by Candyman's Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up where the third film in the franchise left off. Having left the safety of his home on Holy Island, Spike (Alfie Williams) has found himself caught up with the problematically inspired Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) and his blonde-wigged gang.

Meanwhile, the iodine-washed Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) has a terrifying path ahead of him, as we get a glimpse into his past through family photographs. But the trailer shows Jimmy's crew walking through Kelson's bone-built memento mori structure, and Kelson looking rather...angry about it, so anything could happen.

Overlaid in the trailer is science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke speaking in a 1964 BBC show called Horizon: The Knowledge Explosion, saying that "trying to predict the future is a discouraging, hazardous occupation." It fits.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hits cinemas Jan. 16.

Jimmy Kimmel has been on vacation for two months, and a lot has happened since he last delivered a monologue.

The thing that people have been asking him about most over the summer, though? Stephen Colbert's Late Show cancelation, and the gloating remarks from Donald Trump about how he might be next.

"He posted, 'The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes,' which is alarming, because — I don't know if you know this — Jimmy Kimmel is me," says the host in the clip above, before addressing the president directly. "You want us to be canceled because we make jokes about you? I thought you were against cancel culture? I thought that was like their whole thing? When did you become so woke?"

Apple's lineup of products is going to get a lot more interesting over the next couple of years.

On Tuesday, Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo shared his predictions on Apple's upcoming devices in 2026 and beyond. According to the report, Apple is planning to launch a foldable iPhone in 2026, followed by a foldable iPad in 2028.

SEE ALSO: 3 features we hope Apple brings to the iPhone 17

Kuo claims that both devices will use ultra-thin cover glass, manufactured jointly by Gorilla Glass maker Corning and Chinese company GIS. This type of glass is pricier than regular glass, especially on the iPad (due to the larger surface area), which is why Kuo expects the iPad to have a "considerably higher" price than the foldable iPhone. Kuo previously predicted that the first foldable iPhone could cost above $2,000, while analyst Jimmy Yoon said the price could be around $1,800 to $2,000.

Kuo also predicted that Apple will launch a cheaper and lighter version of its Vision Pro headset, called the Vision Air, in 2027.

"The new device is estimated to be over 40 percent lighter and more than 50 percent cheaper," said Kuo. Given that the Vision Pro retails for $3,499 and weighs 600 to 650 grams (depending on specs), the Vision Air should weigh about 400 grams and cost $1,750.

This should make the Vision Air more popular than its powerful, but pricey predecessor. According to Kuo, Apple could ship 1 million Vision Air units in 2027, compared to Vision Pro whose shipments are currently below 400,000 units.

SAVE $220: As of Sept. 3, the Roborock Q8 Max robot vacuum is on sale for $179.99 at Amazon. That's a 55% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Q8 Max $179.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $220 Get Deal

A robot vacuum is a real game-changer. What started years ago as something to pick up small amounts of dirt around the house has now evolved into a much more advanced system that has become an essential for modern living. And the Roborock Q8 Max is a standout option for most homes, and it's now on sale at Amazon.

As of Sept. 3, this impressive robot vacuum is more than half off, now priced at $179.99. According to camelcamelcamel, it's also at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2025: Don't buy one before considering these features

This is a strong choice for staying on top of your cleaning routine, with minimal effort. It has dual rubber brushes that pick up tough dirt and hairs, all while avoiding annoying brush tangles. So if you have a carpeted home or pets, this could be the model for you.

It doesn’t just vacuum, either. It mops with adjustable water flow settings to suit anything from delicate floors to stubborn grime. And with a strong 5,500 Pa suction power, it handles everyday dirt with ease.

For navigation around your home, the Q8 Max is equipped with obstacle detection, meaning you don’t need to clear the room before setting it off. The smart navigation maps your home quickly and accurately, and even creates a 3D view you can customise for furniture and floor types. It also recognises different levels in your house automatically, so you can move it between floors without extra docks.

And to make things even easier, everything is controlled from the app. Here you can set schedules, tweak settings, or pick a faster route if you want a quicker clean.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon right now.

TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Musetti in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of huge matchups in the latter stages of the 2025 US Open, including Sinner vs. Musetti. This all-Italian contest is difficult to predict. We get that it's difficult to look past the top seed, but Lorenzo Musetti has looked really impressive in the final Grand Slam of the season.

If you want to watch Sinner vs. Musetti in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sinner vs. Musetti for free

Sinner vs. Musetti in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Sinner vs. Musetti for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Osaka vs. Muchova in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Naomi Osaka has a special relationship with the US Open. The two-time champion has been rolling back the clock in this year's competition, progressing to a stage she hasn't reached in a Grand Slam since 2021. She has produced some stunning performances on her to way to a quarter-final matchup with Muchova, including an impressive victory over Coco Gauff.

If you want to watch Osaka vs. Muchova in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Osaka vs. Muchova for free

Osaka vs. Muchova in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Osaka vs. Muchova for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Swiatek vs. Anisimova in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are we heading towards another showdown between Swiatek and Sabalenka? It's probably the 2025 US Open final that most fans would like to see, but try telling that to Amanda Anisimova. The American eighth seed didn't win a single game in her Wimbledon final defeat to Swiatek, but she'll be looking to forget all about that with a big performance at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

If you want to watch Swiatek vs. Anisimova in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Swiatek vs. Anisimova for free

Swiatek vs. Anisimova in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Swiatek vs. Anisimova for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream De Minaur vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are still a few spots left to secure in the 2025 US Open semi finals, and De Minaur is set to battle it out with Auger-Aliassime for a place in the final four of the men's draw. Neither player has ever made a Grand Slam final, and only Auger-Aliassime has ever played in a Grand Slam semi final. Could this be the year of the underdog?

If you want to watch De Minaur vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch De Minaur vs. Auger-Aliassime for free

De Minaur vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream De Minaur vs. Auger-Aliassime for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: This Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro Bundle gives your PC a major upgrade, and right now it’s only $44.97 (reg. $418.99) through Sept. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $44.97
$418.99 Save $374.02 Get Deal

Got an old PC lying around? Don’t waste hundreds of dollars on a new laptop — for under $50, you can make a dusty computer feel as good as new with an updated operating system and suite of Microsoft Office apps, thanks to this bundle.

Right now, the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro bundle can be yours for just $44.97 (reg. $418.99) through Sept. 14.

Breathe new life into your old PC for under $50

From apps to a new operating system, you can give your PC a permanent upgrade with this helpful bundle from Microsoft. It kicks off with a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license packed with eight powerful apps designed for both personal and professional use — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Publisher, and Access.

This Microsoft Office edition may have an older year attached, but don’t worry. It features more apps than the 2024 version and includes a ribbon-based user interface that provides quick access to all its available features, tools, and customizations.

In addition to Microsoft Office, this bundle also includes a Windows 11 Pro license. This operating system was made with the modern professional in mind, with a seamless interface and improved online security, including helpful features like enhanced antivirus protection.

Give your productivity a boost with this Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro Bundle on sale now for just $44.97 (reg. $418.99) until Sept. 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.