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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 today: Hints and answers for August 4 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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Amusement.

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 M.

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...

MIRTH.

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 August 4

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 the latest Wordle.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 25, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 24, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 25

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

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 25

Not equal: The domino halves in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must add up to less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): The domino halves in this space must be 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Equal (0): The domino halves in this space must be 0. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): The domino halves in this dark blue space must be 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 25

Number (1): The domino halves in this purple space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): The domino halves in this red space must be 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (0): The domino halves in this light blue space must be 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): The domino halves in this dark blue space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): The domino halves in this light yellow space must be 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): The domino halves in this green space must add up to 11. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 25, 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: Handling the rock

• Green: Almost soccer teams

• Blue: Footballers

• Purple: Same second word

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: Basketball actions

• Green: Premier league nicknames, minus the S

• Blue: NFL kickers

• Purple: Words followed by "horse"

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 #336 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Basketball actions - DRIBBLE, PASS, PIVOT, SHOOT

• Premier League nicknames, minus the S - BEE, GUNNER, SPUR, TOFFEE

• NFL kickers - BASS, KOO, LUTZ, MOODY

• Words followed by "horse" - CHARLEY, DARK, RACE, WORK

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 the latest 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 Monday, August 25, 2025:

AcrossBritish "bye-bye"

• The answer is Ta Ta.

Hearty gulp

• The answer is Swig.

It's been called the "City of Light" and the "City of Love"

• The answer is Paris.

Clark ___ a.k.a. Superman

• The answer is Kent.

Comedically risky

• The answer is Edgy.

DownBaking measure: Abbr.

• The answer is TSP.

Unable to sleep

• The answer is Awake.

Sleepy

• The answer is Tired.

"An extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been," per David Bowie

• The answer is Aging.

Pig's home

• The answer is Sty.

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

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

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

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

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

A South American dance.

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

TANGO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Shy.

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

TIMID

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Solo.

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

ALONE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A beginning.

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

BIRTH

Final Hurdle hint

A ceasefire.

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

TRUCE

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

For the next few nights, the moon will be getting brighter and brighter until we reach the full moon. We're on day two 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, Aug. 25.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Aug. 25, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, and only 5% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

It's only day two of the lunar cycle, so there's still not enough of the moon lit up to see anything on its surface, so keen moon gazers will need to wait a few more days.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

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.

Robotaxis are braving the notoriously hectic New York City streets, as Waymo wins coveted approval to test its autonomous vehicles.

The self-driving ride-share company has been granted the first pilot permit by the city of New York. This permits the company to train its camera, LIDAR, and RADAR systems on the busy NYC grid. Other autonomous vehicle companies, including competitor Tesla, have made aggressive pushes into the metropolitan area in a race to own the market in major cities.

SEE ALSO: Apple eyes Google Gemini for Siri upgrade

The permit allows Waymo to deploy eight vehicles (Jaguar I-Pace SUVs) throughout Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn from now until late September. The vehicles will be occupied by a safety operator who will maintain constant contact with the steering wheel. Waymo is not approved to test with passengers under the city's taxi and limousine licensing requirements, and had to submit additional plans to the city's emergency services system and Department of Transportation to get approval. The company told TechCrunch it plans to begin testing its fleet "immediately."

Last month, Waymo announced it has plans for a robotaxi launch in Dallas in 2026, following the tongue-in-cheek deployment of Elon Musk-led Tesla robotaxis earlier this year. Waymo, a leader in the space, already operates fleets in San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. For several years, Robotaxi companies have been gradually piloting autonomous vehicle services in major cities (predominantly California), but few have gone fully to market.

Insiders say that Apple is in talks to use Google Gemini to beef up its already AI-enhanced iOS assistant.

First reported by Bloomberg News, the anticipated Siri upgrade — now slated for a potential 2026 release — may come as a customized LLM powered by Google's own Gemini chatbot. It's the latest in Apple's months-long exploration of external partnerships.

SEE ALSO: Netflix spells out generative AI guidelines for moviemakers

Sources familiar with the company told Bloomberg that Apple approached Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., about a custom model, and Google, in turn, has been testing a model that can run on Apple's servers.

In June, rumors circulated that the iPhone creator may shelve its plans to build an in-house LLM to power a better Siri in addition to its Apple Intelligence features, and was instead seeking a partnership with either OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude. Internally, the company has been weighing the pros and cons of an internal Siri AI (dubbed the "Linwood" project) versus an external technology (named "Glenwood").

At the time, Apple's interest in an outsourced Siri AI seemed like a defeat amid a still-expanding AI boom, as the company's rivals poached Apple's own leading AI talent to expand their efforts. But, in just the past month, other Big Tech companies have also decided to scale back their AI investments — a shift that some say signals an end to the AI "bubble."

Neither Apple nor Google confirmed the possible partnership, although both have signaled that a Gemini integration with Apple devices may be on the horizon in addition to their existing Search collaboration. The integration would be similar to previous deals between Apple and ChatGPT.

Netflix has given its media-making partners more parameters for using generative AI as the company becomes more brazen in its use of AI.

The entertainment giant's new generative AI guidelines, published last week on its Partner Help Center, outline low-risk and high-risk use cases for incorporating AI-powered tools or using completely AI-generated content in a piece of media hosted on Netflix. Reported by The Wrap, Netflix says its priorities are to protect personal data and creative rights, comply with legal standards of traditional content, respect performers, and build audience trust.

SEE ALSO: How to identify AI-generated videos online

"At Netflix, we see these tools as valuable creative aids when used transparently and responsibly," the company wrote. Netflix also acknowledged ongoing AI demands from Hollywood's unions, urging creatives to ensure their work "does not replace or materially impact work typically done by union-represented individuals, including actors, writers, or crew members, without proper approvals or agreements."

Primarily, the company establishes a set of standards that determine whether gen AI use needs to be escalated to the top or just "socialized":

• The outputs do not replicate or substantially recreate identifiable characteristics of unowned or copyrighted material, or infringe any copyright-protected works

• The generative tools used do not store, reuse or train on production data inputs or outputs

• Where possible, generative tools are used in an enterprise-secured environment to safeguard inputs

• Generated material is temporary and not part of the final deliverables

• GenAI is not used to replace or generate new talent performances or union-covered work without consent

Netflix's proposed matrix for assessing generative AI risks. Credit: Screenshot by Mashable/Netflix

Netflix came under fire in 2024 for the disclosed use of generative AI in the true crime documentary What Jennifer Did. Earlier this year, the streaming platform once again admitted to using generative AI in its post-apocalyptic original The Eternaut, replacing the work of a traditional VFX house with "AI-powered tools." Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, lauding the decision, said the outcome was ten times faster than traditional methods. It was the first time generative AI final footage was included in a Netflix original series or film.

Meanwhile, Netflix may be adding AI-generated ads to the platform's cheapest tiers, a move that the company's advertising president called a merging of Netflix's entertainment and technological prowess.

YouTube Music is celebrating its tenth birthday with new features for stans, including its first foray into community comments.

Announced on Aug. 21, the streaming platform will now let users leave their thoughts and engage with other users directly on albums and playlists — not just videos — and link up with friends and fellow fans using "taste matching playlists." The playlists will update daily based on the viewing and listening habits of joined users.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub copies TikTok with a feature fit for goonscrolling

YouTube Music subscribers can also find more information about their favorite artists in the real world, including notifications for new releases, merch, and live performances, through a partnership with Bandsintown. Users deemed "top fans" and artists who reach new milestones in music video views will also earn exclusive profile badges.

If these features sound familiar, it's because most of them are already available to Spotify listeners, including Blend playlists, live event calendars, and artist milestones — the music service even added an integrated merch hub on artists' pages. Other music streaming platforms have introduced features to support stanning behavior, too, like Apple Music's live performance Set Lists and shared playlists.

YouTube Music was first launched in 2015 as a standalone app, and has since rebranded and expanded within the YouTube ecosystem, including a Premium tier that now lets subscribers experiment with generative AI features and a Recap feature created in the image of Spotify's Wrapped. In February, the platform announced it had reached 100 million subscribers.

The iPhone 17 is coming in just a few weeks, and rumors have been circulating all summer. Alongside the usual models like the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, Apple is also potentially bringing a slimmer phone to the party, as well as a new version of its FineWoven accessories. With all of that said, how many of the iPhone 17’s rumored features are actually new to the market?

It’s a tale that dates back well over a decade. Android phones have regularly beaten the iPhone to new features. I remember being a young tech blogger talking about how the iPhone 6 came with NFC, a feature that Android phones had included since the release of the Samsung Nexus S a few years earlier. 

Since this theme has been present in the iOS versus Android debate for as long as most of us can remember, let’s review the rumored features of the iPhone 17 and see which ones have already been on the market as Android phones. 

The iPhone 17 Air

One of the big rumors this year is that Apple will introduce a slimmer iPhone 17 alongside the rest of the lineup. Should the rumors pan out, the phone will be called the iPhone 17 Air, and it’ll be the thinnest iPhone that Apple has ever made. Leaked photos of the device show that it’s about as thin as its buttons, which is a turn from phones remaining thicker to accommodate larger batteries. 

The thing is, Samsung already did this, and very recently. The Korean tech giant released the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, which is essentially a Galaxy S25 but made as thin as possible. It is barely thicker than its own buttons as well, and when viewed side by side, the design is pretty similar all around. Score one for Android phones. 

A wider camera bump

Another design change potentially coming is a camera bump that spans most of the width of the phone's back. It’s part of several design changes that are rumored to happen, including the iPhone going back to an aluminum frame instead of a titanium frame (which, consequently, was a design borrowed by Samsung). This is backed up by case renders of the iPhone 17.

Credit: Zain bin Awais/Mashable

If you squint a little, you can see that this is something already found on the Google Pixel 9. In Apple’s defense, the Pixel’s version is more curved than rectangular, like the iPhone 17’s camera bump is rumored to be. However, the idea of it spanning most of the back of the device has been done by several Android phones in the past, with the Pixel 9 being the most recent example. 

Vapor chamber cooling

Another rumor swirling around is that the iPhone 17 is finally upping its thermal game by introducing vapor chamber cooling. The premise is pretty simple and leverages the cooling benefits of liquids changing phases. Water heats up, evaporates, moves to the cooler end of the chamber, where it cools down, turns back into a liquid, and returns to gather more heat. It’s quite effective. 

Android phones have been using vapor chamber cooling for almost a decade. The Razer Phone 2 is largely considered the first phone to do it all the way back in 2018. Since then, Samsung and other OEMs have introduced the technology, and Samsung still uses it to this day. Interestingly, the Pixel 10 just introduced it as part of its lineup, so it beat Apple by a month. 

120 Hz displays on every model

In prior years, Apple reserved its 120 Hz refresh rate ProMotion display for the iPhone Pro models. This year, it’s rumored that the entire lineup is finally getting high refresh rate displays, unifying the lineup, which includes the iPhone 17 Air model. It’ll be the first time that every iPhone in a generation has had the same refresh rate since the entire iPhone 12 lineup featured 60 Hz displays. 

Android phones beat the iPhone to higher resolution displays by four years (2017’s Razer Phone versus 2021’s iPhone 13 Pro). However, Android OEMs have been stashing the tech in entire lineups since at least the Galaxy S20 series in 2020. Even Google does this with its lower-end Pixel phones, with the Pixel 9a housing a refresh rate of 120 Hz like its more expensive siblings. 

12GB of RAM, finally

Apple received praise for upgrading the iPhone 16 to 8GB of RAM from the 6GB of RAM in the iPhone 15. Rumor has it that the iPhone 17 will come with a 50 percent bump to 12GB of RAM, making it the most ever in an iPhone. This is no doubt thanks to Apple Intelligence, which requires more hardware than most other stuff you do on a smartphone, so Apple is beefing up its specs to make sure all the iOS 26 AI features work correctly. 

Android phones have had 12GB RAM or even more for quite some time. Samsung has been doing this for years, even offering 16GB of RAM in the Galaxy S21 Ultra before backing it down to 12GB on future models. Google and other phone makers have also done with the Pixel, sporting 12GB of RAM since last year’s Pixel 9, and some Chinese phones are ramping it up to 24GB or beyond. 

A larger battery capacity

Modern iPhones have become much more competitive in terms of battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro Max came with the largest battery ever housed in an iPhone, at 4,685 mAh. One of the rumors for 2025’s iPhone 17 is that the Pro Max is being made slightly thicker to accommodate a battery that hits the 5,000 mAh barrier for the first time in iPhone history. 

Here’s the thing: Android phone makers have been doing that for years now. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra was among the first, released in 2020. Plenty of Android phones have met or exceeded 5,000 mAh in the years since. It’s nice to see Apple bringing its phones up to par with the competition, and we hope they keep doing so in this arena, so battery life gets longer. 

A fully refreshed design with iOS 26 Credit: Zooey Liao; Apple

Apple is notoriously slow at overhauling iOS. The last time Cupertino had a major visual overhaul was when it released iOS 7 in 2013, which introduced a flatter, more modern design. While iOS 26 has its fans and detractors, there’s no doubt that it is bringing a very different look to the iPhone 17 and prior models that can support the updates. 

Since 2013, Android has had a few major design overhauls, including Material Design (2014), Material You (2021), and Material 3 Expressive (2025). This doesn’t matter too much, since designs are very subjective in general, but Android fans have had a lot more fun with large new design elements over the last decade and some change than iOS users have. 

Ultimately, it’s okay

Just because Android has beaten the iPhone to the punch doesn’t mean the iPhone 17 is going to be a bad phone. Apple’s optimizations are legendary, and we have no doubt that the iPhone 17 will be among the top smartphones released all year and into 2026. Even so, it’s good to know that Android phones still have a position in the market as being the first to have something. So, if you want a larger battery, more RAM, or phones that exceed 120 Hz refresh rates, you’ll need to shop for Android.

The best streaming deals to watch NFL games in the 2025-2026 season: BEST PRIME VIDEO DEAL Prime Video only (no Prime membership) $8.99 per month (save $6 per month) Get Deal BEST PARAMOUNT+ DEAL Paramount+ Essential annual subscription $59.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST YOUTUBE TV DEAL YouTube TV Free 10-day trial, then $49.99 per month for three months ($82.99 per month thereafter) (save $99) Get Deal BEST FUBO DEAL Fubo TV Pro plan $54.99 for your first month, then $84.99 per month (save $30) Get Deal BEST PEACOCK DEAL Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL ESPN Unlimited + Fox One $39.99 per month (save $19.98 per month) Get Deal

It's finally that time again: a new NFL season is upon us. That means it's also time to get all of your streaming services in order.

Notorious gatekeepers of their broadcasts, watching NFL games has become a tangled web of subscriptions. Even if you still have cable, you're going to need a couple of extra subscriptions to watch every game. We've done our best to sort out all the complicated details for you.

If you want to watch your favorite teams battle it out this season with or without cable, here's everything you need to know — including the cheapest possible way to do so (legally).

How to watch NFL games during the 2025–2026 season

Since no single network owns the rights to every game, watching your favorite teams isn't as cut and dry in the NFL as it is with some other sports. And now with streaming services throwing hats in the ring, even cable TV subscribers will need a few extras to catch every game.

Here's the general schedule each week for the 2025–2026 season:

• Thursday Night Football kicks off the week exclusively on Prime Video (starting week two)

• Sunday afternoon games air on CBS (stream on Paramount+) for AFC teams and FOX (stream on Fox One) for NFC teams

• Sunday Night Football games air on NBC and stream on Peacock

• Monday Night Football games air on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ (stream on ESPN Unlimited)

• NFL Network will also broadcast seven different games throughout the season

• Netflix will once again broadcast two games on Christmas Day this season

• YouTube, for the first time, will broadcast the Chiefs vs. Chargers game week 1 from São Paulo, Brazil

If you don't have cable, you have an abundance of options for watching games live. If you're a casual fan, you can simply invest in a digital TV antenna to catch local games and nationally broadcast games live on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Beyond football, a digital antenna will also grant you free access to local news, nationally broadcast events like the Grammys or Oscars, and other network programming. If you're reasonably close to your local TV stations, you should be able to pick up at least the four main networks. Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to access ESPN.

You can also sign up for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo to get access to local networks, plus a ton of other channels. Live TV streaming services can be pretty pricey, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This option will get you ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, and NFL Network in most markets. No need to be close to your local TV stations.

With either option you choose, you'll still have to sign up for Prime Video if you want to watch Thursday Night Football games and Netflix for the two games on Christmas Day. You can also utilize streaming apps like Peacock, Paramount+, the new Fox One, and revamped ESPN to watch many regular-season games. It's all up to you and how many games you want access to. Below, we've rounded up the best streaming deals for each streaming service required to watch football games this season.

In-market vs. out-of-market games

Before you pull the trigger on any paid TV provider or streaming service, you need to decide whether you want access to local in-market games or out-of-market games. This is where watching sports gets really confusing and frustrating.

If you're a fan of your local sports team and strictly want to watch their season unfold, a digital antenna or live TV streaming service will get the job done. You will generally only get access to in-market games, which include the teams geographically closest to you.

If your favorite teams are not geographically close to you, they will likely be blacked out unless they are national broadcasts. In this case, the only legal way you can watch out-of-market games is via NFL Sunday Ticket. A costly streaming service, NFL Sunday Ticket exclusively streams out-of-market, regular-season, Sunday football games. There are two ways to subscribe: as an add-on to a YouTube TV base plan or as an individual primetime channel on YouTube. It costs $378 as a YouTube TV add-on and $480 as a standalone service, although there are typically deals around the start of the season (more on that below).

So if you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan living in Nashville, you can watch all of the Sunday Ravens games that aren’t shown on NBC, CBS, or FOX in your area with NFL Sunday Ticket. If you're a Ravens fan living in or near Baltimore, however, you'll want to grab a digital antenna or sign up for a streaming service like Paramount+ or YouTube TV.

The best football streaming deals for the 2025–2026 NFL seasonThe best Prime Video deals for Thursday Night Football

In addition to Thursday Night Football games, Prime Video is also set to stream an exclusive Black Friday game and a playoff game again this season during Wildcard weekend. Prime members get access to Prime Video included in their subscription, which costs $14.99 per month. If you're new to Prime, you can even score a free 30-day trial before you'll owe a monthly fee. Here are a few other ways you can save some money.

Best for long-term viewing: Prime Annual (save 22%)

Enjoy the perks of a Prime membership, including access to Prime Video, for an entire year with a Prime Annual subscription. Rather than paying a $14.99 monthly fee, you'll pay $139 up front. That ends up saving you about 22%, knocking the price down to about $11.59 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video Annual $139 per year (save 22%) Learn More

Most affordable: Prime Video only (save $6 per month)

If you don't want all the extra perks of being a Prime member, you can simply subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for just $8.99 per month. That's $6 per month cheaper than a full Prime membership. Naturally, Amazon makes it unnecessarily complicated to sign up for Prime Video alone. When you go to sign up for a subscription, you'll have to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plans" and navigate to the option for Prime Video on its own. Like a Prime membership, you can still cancel whenever you please with no strings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99 per month Learn More

Best for those under 24: Prime for Young Adults (save 50%)

Amazon's Prime Student subscription has now evolved into Prime for Young Adults. Those between the ages of 18 and 24, as well as college students of any age, can now score a free six-month trial to Prime. After the trial period is up, it'll cost just $7.49 per month — that's 50% in savings. You'll have to verify your age or student status, but after that, the world of Prime is your oyster.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime for Young Adults Free 6-month trial, then $7.49 per month Learn More The best live TV streaming deals for NFL Sunday games

Sunday afternoon games are broadcast on either CBS (for AFC teams) or FOX (for NFC teams). CBS is accessible without cable through Paramount+, while FOX is now accessible through a new streaming service called Fox One (see bundle deal under Monday Night Football). Meanwhile, live TV streaming services like Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV will give you access to both CBS and FOX, although they are much more expensive. Whichever route you choose, we've found a few different deals currently live for the start of the NFL season. Here are our top picks.

Best for AFC games only: Paramount+ Essential annual subscription (save 17%)

Paramount+ is one of the most affordable streaming services at just $7.99 per month with ads. However, you can score it for even cheaper by opting for an annual subscription for $59.99. Slash 17% off when you pay for a year upfront. That knocks the monthly cost down to just $5 per month. Just note that Paramount+ only gives you access to in-network AFC games via CBS.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ annual subscription $59.99 per year (save 17%) Learn More

Best for students who want to watch AFC games: Paramount+ for students

Students who want to watch in-network AFC games can score a Paramount+ Essential subscription for only $3.99 per month for 12 months. That's 50% cheaper than a typical Paramount+ subscription. You'll just have to verify your student status to unlock the deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ for students $3.99 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Learn More

Best for NFC games only: Fox One annual subscription

Fox has finally launched its own streaming service, filling the gap for NFC games. With Fox One, you'll be able to catch in-market Sunday afternoon games, as well as plenty more of Fox's programming. It'll cost you $19.99 per month, but if you subscribe for the whole year, it's just $199. That's 17% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One annual subscription $199 per year (save $40) Learn More

Best live TV streaming service deal: YouTube TV (save $99 on your first three months)

YouTube TV is one of our favorite live TV streaming options. It will give you access to all the networks you need to watch Sunday afternoon games in your network, as well as Sunday night and Monday night games — NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN. Through Aug. 31, YouTube TV is offering new users a discount on their first three months of service. Plus, you can kick things off with a free 10-day trial. It usually costs $82.99 per month for the base plan, but you'll pay just $49.99 per month (save $99) for your first three months, making it the most affordable and most well-rounded option for a live TV streaming service.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99 per month for your first three months, then $82.99 per month (save $99) Learn More

Best a la carte option: Sling Season Pass (save $50.95)

If you prepay for five months of Sling Orange, Blue, and Sports Extras, you can save $50.95 with Sling Season Pass. The Blue package gets you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, and NFL Network in local markets, while the Orange package gets you access to ESPN. With the Sports Extras add-on, you'll also get access to NFL RedZone, where you can see every touchdown that happens on Sunday afternoons. It'll cost you $329 for five months of Sling Season Pass, which is significantly cheaper than any other live TV streaming service. Just be sure to check your local market to ensure you'll have access to the channels you need.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for five months (save $50.95) Learn More

Best bang for your buck: Get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ all for $82.99 per month

While other live TV streaming services might be a little cheaper, Hulu + Live TV comes with the most bang for your buck. You'll pay $82.99 per month and get access to the live TV channels you need to watch NFL games, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). For comparison, YouTube TV is also $82.99 per month and includes a similar live TV channel lineup, but no extras. Fubo is $84.99 per month and features a slightly wider channel lineup, but still no extras. Unfortunately, there's no introductory offer, but you will get your first three days for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV (with Disney+ and ESPN+) $82.99 per month Learn More

Another live TV streaming deal: Take $30 off your first month of Fubo

Fubo isn't our first pick for a live TV streaming service, simply because it's too expensive. However, the streamer is currently offering new subscribers their first month at $30 off. That knocks the Pro plan down to $54.99 for your first month ($84.99 per month thereafter) and the Elite plan with Sports Plus down to $74.99 for your first month ($104.99 per month thereafter).

Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo TV Pro plan $54.99 for your first month, then $84.99 per month Learn More The best Peacock deals for streaming Sunday Night Football

If you don't have access to local networks via a live TV streaming service or a digital antenna, you can still tune into Sunday Night Football on NBC by signing up for Peacock. The streamer will also host a Week 17 Peacock exclusive game, as well as the Super Bowl. After a recent price hike, subscriptions now start at $10.99 per month, but we've rounded up a few ways you can save.

Best for long-term viewing: Peacock Premium yearly subscription (save 17%)

If Peacock isn't running any sort of special, the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription deal. And since you're going to need the streamer long term if you plan on watching the Big Game in February, it's worth committing to a yearly subscription. A monthly subscription with ads costs $10.99 per month (which adds up to $131.88), but a yearly subscription will only run you $109.99 (which breaks down to about $9.17 per month). That's about 17% in total savings. For those who prefer watching without ads, you'll pay $169.99 per year (which breaks down to about $14.16 per month instead of $16.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99 per year (save 17%) Learn More

Best for students: Peacock Premium Student Discount (save $8 per month)

Students wanting to tune into Sunday Night Football can score a Peacock Premium subscription for only $2.99 per month for an entire year. That's $8 cheaper than a typical Peacock subscription. You'll just have to be able to prove your student status through SheerID.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $2.99 per month for one year (save $8 per month) Learn More

Best for first responders, teachers, military: Peacock Premium for $3.99 per month

With annual first responder and military verification through SheerID, you can get Peacock Premium for just $3.99 per month. Upon verification, you'll receive a unique promo code to use when subscribing to Peacock. That will knock $7 per month off your total cost for the streaming service. Teachers can also score Peacock Premium for $3.99 per month, although their promotional period is limited to one year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders $3.99/month (save $7/month) Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock for Military Personnel $3.99 per month (save $7/month) Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for one year (save $7/month) Learn More

Best Peacock third-party deal: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ (save $10.99 per month)

If you subscribe to Instacart+ for free grocery delivery, which costs either $99 per year or $9.99 per month, you'll get a free Peacock Premium subscription included. Just log in to your Instacart account, select your Instacart+ membership, then "unlock special offers" and activate the Peacock offer. You'll get redirected to Peacock's website, where you can sign in or create an account to activate the benefit.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription (save $10.99 per month) Learn More The best ESPN deals for Monday Night Football

Last season, in order to watch Monday Night Football games on ESPN and ABC, you needed a live TV streaming service that included the channels in its lineup. This season, things have evolved. ESPN launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service on Aug. 21, which means you can stream games on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+ live without cable on the ESPN Unlimited plan. ESPN also recently acquired the rights to NFL Network and RedZone, so these channels are expected to stream on the new ESPN app as well. It costs $29.99 per month, but there are a few options that allow you to save some money.

Best for long-term viewing: ESPN Unlimited annual subscription (save 17%)

If you're all in on ESPN's new streaming service, you can save about 17% by subscribing for a full year instead of paying monthly. It'll cost you $299.99 in total, which breaks down to about $24.99 each month. That means you'll save $5 every month.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN+ ESPN Unlimited annual plan $299/year (save Learn More

Best introductory deal: ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (save $19.98/month)

As an introduction to its new streaming service, ESPN is offering its Unlimited plan bundled with Disney+ and Hulu (both with ads) for just $29.99 per month for your first year. That essentially gets you Hulu and Disney+ for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ / ESPN+ ESPN with Hulu and Disney+ $29.99/month for one year (save $19.98/month) Learn More

Best bundle deal: ESPN Unlimited + Fox One

You can watch live Monday Night Football games on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+, plus live Sunday afternoon games on Fox with the new ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle. Usually $29.99 per month apiece, you can sign up for both for just $39.99 and save $10 each month. This is a great value, particularly if you're a fan of an NFC team. Unfortunately, the bundle deal isn't set to launch until Oct. 2, so you'll have to subscribe to both separately in the meantime.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN / Fox One ESPN Unlimited + Fox One $39.99/month (save $9.98/month) Learn More What's the cheapest way to watch the most NFL games this season?

Good question. If you want to watch mainly in-market games and nationally broadcast games, the cheapest way to do so would be to sign up for the new ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle, Peacock, Paramount+, and Prime Video for a grand total of $67.96 per month. This will give you access to FOX (via Fox One), ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ (via ESPN Unlimited), NBC (via Peacock), CBS (via Paramount+), and Prime Video. You could also add Netflix into the mix in December if you want access to those two games for $6.99 (per month). If you add Netflix to the total, December would run you a little more at $74.95.

Here's the breakdown:

• $39.99 per month for ESPN Unlimited and Fox One — NFC games on Sunday afternoons and Monday Night Football games on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+

• $10.99 per month for Peacock — Sunday Night Football games on NBC, plus Peacock-exclusive game

• $7.99 per month for Paramount+  — AFC games on Sunday afternoons

• $8.99 per month for Prime Video — Thursday Night Football

• $6.99 per month for Netflix — two exclusive games in December

For out-of-market games, things get a bit more expensive. NFL Sunday Ticket is one of the only ways you can watch out-of-market games throughout the season. If you run and sign up before the Aug. 31 cutoff, new subscribers can score NFL Sunday Ticket for $34.50 per month, or $276 total for the regular season. It's typically $60 per month or $480 total, so we highly recommend signing up sooner rather than later. Check out our guide to out-of-market games for more information.

Another option for out-of-market games would be to sign up for a VPN and attempt to use a different location with any of the live TV streaming services above. For more information about VPNs and how to watch the NFL 2025–2026 season from other countries (or pretending to), check out this article on bypassing geo-restrictions.

Gaming monitor brands are on a roll right now. Samsung just released the Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor, the world's first-ever OLED gaming monitor with 500Hz refresh rate. Days later, Asus dropped a monitor with a 720Hz refresh rate. And don't forget LG's bendable 5K monitor that debuted at CES 2025.

If you're the type of gamer who likes to geek out over specs, we're truly living in a golden age.

Sure, not every game demands the best resolution or fastest refresh rate, but the better a game looks, the more immersive it will be. On top of that, you can have all the skills in the world when you're playing competitively, but that won’t make up for a slow refresh rate or response time. That's going to hinder you in an Overwatch match, no matter how good you are.

That's why the best gaming monitors can fully round out your PC gaming setup. You'll have to choose between ultra-wides, curved monitors, 4K monitors, OLED monitors, and monitors you can actually afford. So, we set out to test and recommend the top gaming monitors on the market, so you can worry less about the research and more about heading to checkout.

Help, I'm drooling. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer

Read on to find our picks for the best gaming monitors you can get right now. And as soon as we're done testing the new Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor, we'll let you know if it's worth the price of admission.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $69.97 (reg. $219) for a lifetime license.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $69.97
$219 Save $149.03 Get Deal

When it comes to software, subscription fatigue is real. Between streaming services, cloud storage, and productivity tools, it sometimes feels like your paycheck disappears into a cloud of monthly fees. Here’s a chance to hit pause on at least one of those bills. A lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $69.97 (reg. $219).

That means no monthly or annual renewals and no “trial ending soon” emails. Just one purchase that lasts as long as your Mac does.

SEE ALSO: Get Windows 11 Pro before Microsoft ends support for Windows 10

With this license, you’ll get the classic suite of Microsoft apps that professionals, students, and small businesses rely on every day:

• Word for documents and reports

• Excel for data and budgets

• PowerPoint for presentations that actually impress

• Outlook for managing email and scheduling like a pro

• OneNote for capturing ideas (because sticky notes never cut it)

• Teams (basic) for collaboration that actually works

Setup is simple. Redeem your code, download, and you’re ready to go. No complicated licensing hoops, no surprise charges. And since this license ties to your Microsoft account rather than your device, you’ll keep access even if you upgrade to a new Mac down the road.

Think of it this way: for less than the cost of a few weeks of lattes at work, you’re getting a software suite that powers your work, school, and side hustles — indefinitely.

If you want Microsoft Office on your Mac without the subscription strings, this $69.97 offer might be the smartest money you’ll spend this year.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a refurbished Apple MacBook Air for $199.97 (reg. $999) — 12-hour battery, 128GB storage, and Intel Core i5 performance.

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

Need a solid laptop that can handle everyday tasks without dipping into your savings? This refurbished Apple MacBook Air delivers the perfect mix of performance, portability, and price — now just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping during this Labor Day sale.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this Air breezes through web browsing, email, shopping, streaming, and basic work projects. It’s paired with 128GB of flash storage, giving you plenty of space for documents, photos, and apps, all while keeping things zippy.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks in 2025: Air or Pro?

And with 12 hours of battery life, you won’t be tethered to an outlet, whether you’re at home, at the office, or camped out at a coffee shop.

The 13.3-inch widescreen display with 1440×900 resolution allows your movies, spreadsheets, and FaceTime calls to look sharp and vibrant. Meanwhile, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth make it easy to stay connected and share files across your devices.

This machine isn’t just affordable; it’s also worry-free. With its Grade A/B refurbished rating, you may notice a tiny scuff or scratch, but inside, you’re getting a fully functional MacBook ready to roll.

At this price, it’s perfect as a primary laptop, a backup machine, or even a dedicated travel computer. Lightweight, reliable, and sleek — it’s the kind of deal that makes sense whether you’re working, learning, or just binge-watching.

Get this refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air while it’s on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping through Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE UP TO $800: Purple's Labor Day sale is live until Sept. 9. Purple is offering up to $500 off mattresses and $300 off bases for Labor Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Labor Day Sale Shop Now

It's time to start prioritizing good sleep, and that means a comfortable bed and mattress.

Let's be honest, how many of us are settling for old, lumpy mattresses and rickety beds we've had for years? A good bed and mattress are essential for proper spinal alignment, helping to support your posture while you sleep. They also reduce pressure on joints and muscles, as well as improving your overall comfort. We all want comfort, right?

SEE ALSO: Soundcore's sleep earbuds with active noise cancellation are finally available to purchase

With this in mind, why not check out Purple's Labor Day sale? A major shopping event is always a great time to upgrade, and Purple is offering up to $500 off mattresses and $300 off bases for a limited time. For example, the RestorePremier Hybrid Mattress is reduced from $3,999 to $3,499, and there's an opportunity to add on the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base, reduced from $1,895 to $1,595.

We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of deals to get you started.

The best Purple Labor Day deals

• The Purple Mattress — $1,299 $1,499

• Purple Premium Plus Smart Base — $1,595 $1,895

• PurplePlus Mattress — $1,599 $1,899

• Restore Hybrid Mattress — $2,099 $2,399

• Rejuvenate Mattress — $4,499 $4,999

Shop the best deals from the Purple Labor Day sale right now.

TL;DR: Get an ASUS Chromebook with a detachable touchscreen on sale for $169.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) $169.99
$329.99 Save $160 Get Deal

Sometimes, the newest computer isn’t the best option.

If you’re looking for a computer you can take with you to school or work with on the go, a brand-new expensive laptop might be going overboard. Instead, check out this ASUS Chromebook. It’s lightweight, has a detachable keyboard, and it’s on sale for $169.99 (reg. $329.99).

A Chromebook for under $200

This ASUS Chromebook is a practical option for everyday tasks like writing, web browsing, and video calls. It runs ChromeOS, which means it boots up fast, stays updated automatically, and is easy to manage. If you already use Google Docs or Gmail, you’ll feel right at home.

It comes with a 10.5-inch touchscreen that detaches from the keyboard, so you can switch between laptop and tablet modes depending on what you’re doing. The included stylus charges while it’s stored in the chassis, and it’s useful for jotting notes, marking up documents, or navigating apps more precisely.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks in 2025: Air or Pro?

Inside, it has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is plenty for basic tasks. The MediaTek Kompanio processor handles multitasking smoothly, and the battery lasts up to 12 hours, so you can get through a full day without recharging. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, dual 5MP cameras, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. The build is solid too, with a military-grade aluminum chassis that feels durable without being bulky.

This is an open box model, meaning it was likely returned or overstocked, but the device itself has been tested, cleaned, and verified in brand-new condition. It comes with a one-year warranty.

If you need a reliable computer you can take anywhere, get an ASUS Chromebook on sale for $169.99. Limited stock is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Being a woman on the internet can be tough, but trying to find a genuine connection on a dating app can feel even tougher. Between the emboldened creeps, endless swiping, and surprisingly convincing AI profiles, it's enough to make you wonder if applying for Love Island is a more sane alternative. (Spoiler alert: it's not.)

But meeting someone great online isn't impossible — millions of women have found a partner online. You just need to pick the right apps. That's why our team of dating and relationship experts put the top dating apps for women to the test. We created profiles, paid for premium features, and spent weeks searching for the good, the bad, and the unsolicited DMs to find out which dating apps truly offer a better, safer experience for women.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z is less comfortable with AI dating app features than millennials, survey finds

If you're tired of being single and swiping, then skip the hookup apps and try an app built for matchmaking and serious long-term relationships. And if you are feeling "Hot to Go!", we put Tinder through its paces to see if it's still worth trying in 2025.

So, get the download on all the best dating apps for women, and find the app where your future partner could be waiting right now.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get “dates” (I use that term loosely here) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like HUD and Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, really) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discrete sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped and vetted them all. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to use hookup apps successfully, according to the experts

For best results, I recommend downloading a handful of apps (niche dating apps, too!) and experimenting to see what feels right. When you're scrolling through the apps, skip the ones that scream "romance" (we're looking at you, eharmony).

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

Thanks to our favorite free dating apps, you don't have to pay for a premium membership to get results, though there are definite perks if you do. My take? Start out on the free versions. Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge are all good contenders to kick things off. (Pure is also free for women.) These popular dating apps let you scout, match, and connect with potential partners for free. Think of it as a "try before you buy" situation.

SEE ALSO: Mashable asked single people what dating is really like in 2025

“I think the free tonight section on Tinder makes it really easy to find a hookup,” says Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai. “After talking to 90 of our users at TinderProfile.ai, we found that people who sent their first message in the free tonight section after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher success rate for hookups than people who swiped earlier in the day on the general section on a weekday and tried to plan out a date.”

Finally, no matter which platform you choose, be upfront and honest about what you want. Because of all the feature-copying happening in the apps lately, most now have special features to let others know you're looking for something casual.

The best hookup apps of 2025

Whether you’re looking for a one-night stand, a friends-with-benefits sitch, or just want to explore your sexuality, the right app will connect you with someone who’s on the same page. So, I’ve rounded up the best hookup app for every type of dater, based on my hands-on testing, expert opinions, and user reviews.

What didn't make the cut

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): After its recent rebrand, testing revealed key features, like free messaging for non-matches, were removed. We also noticed issues with repeat profiles. Overall, it doesn't bring anything unique to the dating app table that other apps aren't already doing better, meaning we no longer recommend it as a hookup app.

• Match (removed August 2025): Despite anecdotal user reports that Match has led to casual connections, we've decided to remove the titular Match Group app, which we still recommend for serious relationships.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 24, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 23, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

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

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must be 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this space must be 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

Greater than (2): Everything in this space must add up to more than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (16): The domino halves in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this blue space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): The domino halves in this space must be 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

Less than (3): Everything in this space must add up to less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): The domino halves in this red space must be 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this blue space must be 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): The domino halves in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must add up to less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

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