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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

Intact.

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

UNCUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A mess.

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

SNAFU

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Mass communication.

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

MEDIA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To snap.

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

BREAK

Final Hurdle hint

An apartment complex.

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

CONDO

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

The moon goes through a repeating cycle of phases each month, changing what we see every night. This is called the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is 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, what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 15?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Aug. 15, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 58% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Alongside this, with no visual aids on the moon, you can spot the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater, and the Oceanus Procellarum, an "Ocean of Storms" that covers more than 10% of the moon's surface.

With binoculars, enjoy glimpses of the Gassendi Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. If you have a telescope, the Apollo 12, Caucasus Mountains, and the Schiller Crater will all be in view too.

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.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Aug. 12-16. Stepping Through Time, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering free (or heavily discounted) historical fiction and contemporary books for Kindle e-readers.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again, and this time fans of historical fiction and contemporary books have their moment to shine. Stepping Through Time, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering books from these popular genres for free or just $0.99. And even better, the books that you download are yours to keep forever.

Does your library need a boost? It doesn't matter. These books are free to download, so you may as well indulge.

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

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Stepping Through Time takes place from Aug. 12-16. Unlike a lot of Stuff Your Kindle Days that take place over 24 hours, this event runs for five days. That gives you plenty of time to consider your options and find exactly what you want to read. Relax, you've got time.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The beautiful thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free historical fiction and contemporary books is straightforward thanks to the helpful hub page on Indie Author Central. Everything is nicely presented with filters so you can head directly to the books you actually want to download.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so don't hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, but if you want to secure a better deal, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 books at a time. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

Listen up: Your whole life is packed inside your phone. And if listening to music — as well as podcasts and audiobooks — is one of life's greatest pleasures, you need a good set of headphones or earbuds to connect to your phone.

That's particularly true for iPhone users. As Apple fans know, Apple iOS is a uniquely designed system, built for syncing Apple products together. That means only certain headphones will do, though the best ones aren't always Apple-produced.

If you’re serious about your sounds — and we know you are — you need a pair that both suit the capabilities of your iPhone and your lifestyle. It's important to know what you're looking for, so we've gone ahead and done the research for you.

Do you need wireless headphones for your iPhone?

To put it simply, yes. If you have an iPhone, it's probably time to go wireless. You have to go back several generations to find an iPhone that has a regular 3.5mm audio jack input. Apple has insisted on equipping its phones with a Lightning port for several years now. Apple headphones also use Lightning connections so they can plug straight into your phone. And if you have a pair of wired non-Apple headphones, Apple also sells an adaptor which connects a regular audio jack to the Lightning connection. But these adaptors are unreliable and break all-too easily. The best option is to connect your iPhone to the headphones. It's much easier and means fewer cables.

Are AirPods the best headphones for the iPhone?

Yes and no. AirPods are great — especially AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max (as you’ll see below) — but they're also expensive. They're definitely a good one-stop solution as they're so convenient to set up with your iPhone and they fit the Apple aesthetic perfectly. However, if you're keen to search around and spend a little longer setting things up (or spend a little less), there are other good options out there.

Should you buy the cheapest pair of headphones?

You can spend a few pounds on the cheapest pair of headphones, but you might as well just use the buds that come free with your iPhone. Going cheap is a false economy and you'll sacrifice quality and function. If you regularly listen to music, it's worth investing a little more. The sound quality is going to be much better.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music. It's usually a mark of the best, most advanced headphones.

There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically block out noise by having oversized ear cups that create a seal. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones that pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out. Also, look out for advanced ANC modes such as "transparency mode". This allows a certain level of ambient noise to seep in, such as other people's voices. It's handy for listening out for train platform announcements or having conversations with pals and colleagues.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

Wireless sound quality can be affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, but also the codec software that your headphones support. Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs — particularly for streaming video on your phone and ensuring the picture and audio stay in sync. The latest versions to look (and listen) out for are aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive.

What is spatial audio?

This is another term you'll see when shopping for high-spec headphones. It essentially means 3D audio, which separates the sounds and places them in different locations around the room. If you're watching a film, for instance, you'll feel like you're in the middle of the action. Apple and other brands have their own versions of the technology but it's all essentially the same thing. Some spatial audio headphones have head tracking, which anticipates the movements of your head and adapts the sound.

What are the best headphones for the iPhone?

Think about the main reasons that you need new headphones: Are you going to be using them while you travel? Will you be listening to music mainly at home? Or while exercising? We’ve looked at a number of different scenarios and figured out the best headphones or earbuds for you and your lifestyle. In other words, we’ve done the hard work for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list.

These are the best headphones for your iPhone in 2025.

An in-depth new report from Politico determined that the Department of Government Efficiency (aka DOGE) has actually saved far less than it's claimed. So, despite spending the last six months cancelling research grants, federal contracts, and firing federal employees across the country, DOGE has fallen far behind the savings promised by Elon Musk.

So far, DOGE has claimed $205 billion in total savings since President Donald Trump's inauguration, according to its public "wall of receipts."

However, Politico reports that the wall of receipts is sorely lacking in, well, some important receipts.

DOGE claims it has saved taxpayers $52.8 billion from canceled contracts, but Politico could only verify $32.7 billion worth of contracts. What's worse is that, per Politico, the actual, tangible savings from those cancellations are closer to $1.4 billion. That's because DOGE uses some creative accounting to "exaggerate" the total savings. We'll get to that in a minute.

In other words, Politico reported that DOGE only saved about 2.6 percent of its claimed savings from cancelled contracts. Crucially, as Politico pointed out, none of that money can be taken off the federal deficit (which DOGE is supposed to be reducing) without Congressional intervention, as those dollars just get returned to the agencies.

Politico's lengthy report is worth digging into, as it has all the technical details of how DOGE is using "faulty math" to come up with these numbers. When calculating savings, DOGE reports the maximum possible spending amount of each contract, not the actual or planned spending.

This has actually been a known problem with DOGE's accounting since February. Often, experts use the analogy of a credit card limit to explain the limits of this approach. If you cancel a credit card with a $1 million limit, that doesn't mean you've saved $1 million.

Politico's report said that DOGE's claimed savings are "drastically exaggerated," and that "the magnitude of DOGE’s inflated savings claims has not been clear until now."

The Trump administration told Politico in response to their story that the agency produced "historic savings for the American people,” and that DOGE's public list of claimed savings is accurate and "updated in real time based on current information."

These questions about DOGE's exaggerated numbers may not surprise anyone who has been following along with Musk's shenanigans since January. Musk, who officially left his post at DOGE earlier this year, initially claimed that the agency would save the government $2 trillion before quickly revising that goal down to $150 billion in April.

DOGE's cuts have undoubtedly been effective in shuttering some government services, slashing foreign aid, and cutting $125 million in funding to support LGBTQ health initiatives.

Out of all the kitchen products we've put to the test, these 12 are the ones we'll always recommend — over and over again. Here's why we love them.

TL;DR: Scan anything, anywhere, with this lifetime subscription to iScanner, now A$38 (reg. A$307) with code SCAN through 7 September.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription AU$38
AU$307 Save AU$269 Get Deal

Raise your hand if you've ever had to rush to the library to print something. If most of us don't have the space for clunky printers, chances are we also don't keep a scanner at home. That's what iScanner is for.

This iOS app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a handy little scanner that works for basically any document type. It's also only A$38 (reg. A$307) for a lifetime subscription.

No more wasted desk space

Even if you're one of the few with a physical scanner still in your presence, you can now clear some counter space thanks to iScanner. And while you're at it, you can throw away that dusty old filing cabinet, too. 

iScanner is the number one US-based scanning and document management tool, letting you knock items off your to-do list from anywhere. Need to save a receipt for taxes? Do you have a contract you need to digitize? You can scan any document using just the phone on your iOS device. 

Students, entrepreneurs, educators, and stay-at-home moms alike will all find endless uses for a scanner in your pocket. The AI-powered tools ensure your documents' borders are detected and automatically adjusted while also straightening scan pages and ditching curves and skews. 

Thanks to AI, you can also use iScanner to help you solve complicated math problems.  Or put its OCR technology to the test and let it help you decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Once things are scanned, the app becomes a full PDF editor and file manager. Edit your scans, including signing them, adding text, or autofilling them with custom templates. Then, use the file manager's folder via drag and drop to keep them safe and organized. 

Scanning something confidential? You can also protect files and folders by locking them with a PIN. 

Use code SCAN by 7 September at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an iScanner lifetime subscription on sale for A$38. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Horror movies have conditioned us to know that we should never, ever head into a spooky basement. The upcoming psychological thriller The Man in My Basement introduces a new basement-focused rule for us to abide by: Never rent your basement to a shady man.

Directed by Nadia Latif and based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley, The Man in My Basement introduces down-on-his-luck Charles Blakey (Corey Hawkins). He's recently lost his mother and his job, and now his ancestral home in the African American neighborhood of Sag Harbor, New York, is about to be foreclosed on.

Enter mysterious businessman Anniston Bennet (Willem Dafoe), who brings Charles an offer he can't refuse. Anniston wants to rent Charles' basement for the summer, and in return, he'll pay Charles enough money to clear his debts for good. Sounds sweet, right? But why is Anniston so hell-bent on renting Charles' basement in particular? What nefarious deeds is he actually plotting? Based on the trailer, it looks like a cage is involved, and that can never be good.

The Man in My Basement was co-written by Latif and Mosley, and is set to make its premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It's distributed by Andscape, formerly known as The Undefeated, a Black content studio that is part of the ESPN portfolio and also creates content for the Walt Disney Company.

In addition to Hawkins and Dafoe, The Man in My Basement also stars Anna Diop, Jonathan Ajayi, Gershwyn Eustache Jr., Pamela Nomvete, and Tamara Lawrance.

Following its premiere at TIFF, The Man in My Basement comes to select theaters Sept. 12. It hits Hulu and Disney+ this fall.

Meta's AI rules have reportedly allowed children to have potentially troubling interactions, including so-called "sensual" chats.

The news comes from a detailed feature from Reuters, which cited an internal Meta document it obtained. Reuters reported, per the internal document, that Meta's chatbot policies had allowed it to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual."

SEE ALSO: Lawsuit says Meta pirated and distributed porn to train its AI

The Reuters report details the document's contents. Its purpose was to detail what was and was not allowed to be said by chatbots — not necessarily what was preferable. According to Reuters, the rules stated that a bot could tell a shirtless eight-year-old, "Every inch of you is a masterpiece."

A Meta spokesperson told Reuters that such examples were wrong and were being removed from their policies.

Still, the document allowed for other troubling examples, such as bots creating false medical info or helping users argue that Black people are "dumber than white people."

How folks interact with AI can prove troubling — especially considering how AI may respond. We here at Mashable have covered just how troubling it is for adults to flirt with or "date" AI characters. The fact that we've seen reports of children having suggestive conversations with AI — and that at least one major tech company permitted such conversations — is especially troubling.

Elon Musk's site X and AI tool Grok both appeared to go down Thursday afternoon, according to user reports. While X appears to have recovered, there may still be issues with Grok.

Down Detector showed a spike in user-reported issues for both services starting around 11 a.m. ET. (Disclosure: Down Detector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns Mashable.)

X appeared to be back up-and-running by about 1 p.m. ET — it worked fine for this writer — but user reports for issues with Grok appeared to continue. It's worth noting that X may have been mostly stable the entire time, but users reported issues with X because Grok is so heavily integrated into the site.

People posted about the issues they were having online.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Users on X posted that they got error messages saying Grok was under a heavy load. This comes just after Grok 4 was made free for a limited time.

This story is developing and will be updated as necessary...

UPDATE: Aug. 14, 2025, 12:45 p.m. EDT Warby Parker is discontinuing its Home Try-On program at the end of 2025. The service was still available at the time of writing, but only a third of its styles were eligible. Our original story follows.

Warby Parker isn't the only place you can purchase stylish, affordable glasses online anymore, but it does still offer one of the most flexible buying experiences.

Inspired by its founders' frustration with a then-monopolized eyewear industry, Warby Parker launched in 2010 as an alternative to optical boutiques and their expensive markups. By cutting out the middleman and designing its own glasses, then selling them online, the company was able to pass on huge savings to its customers. (This direct-to-consumer approach is pretty mainstream nowadays, but it was mega-disruptive at the time.)

A key part of Warby Parker's early success was its introduction of a guesswork-eliminating Home Try-On program, which lets customers choose up to five frames they can test out at home before they making a purchase. The entire process is free, including shipping and returns.

Opens in a new window Credit: Warby Parker Warby Parker glasses Shop Now

Warby Parker has since gone hybrid with its business model and opened brick-and-mortar retail locations across the U.S., giving customers the opportunity to try on frames in person. (It had over 200 locations across the U.S. and Canada as of early 2023, with big plans to add hundreds more in the coming years.) The company has also expanded upon its Home Try-On program with an AR-powered Virtual Try-On feature in its iOS app.

As of mid-2023, Warby Parker carries hundreds of different frame styles in a rainbow of colors and up to five different widths (starting at $95 with prescription lenses), including readers, blue light glasses, light-responsive glasses, and sunglasses. Each pair comes with a six-month, no-scratch guarantee and can be brought into a Warby Parker store for free adjustments for as long as you own them.

If you're in the market for a new pair of glasses, here's a step-by-step guide to trying on and ordering them from Warby Parker.

Total Time

• Five to 10 minutes to pick out frames, five business days to receive your Home Try-On kit, and seven to 10 business days to receive your glasses (once your prescription is approved)

What You Need

• A computer or smartphone
• your eye prescription
• vision insurance (if you have it)

Step 1: Visit WarbyParker.com and browse its selection.

Warby Parker's eyeglasses and sunglasses catalogs are categorized by men's and women's styles on its website, but all of them are technically gender neutral. You can filter them by different frame widths, shapes, colors, materials, prices, nose bridge fits, and prescription types. (If you get totally overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, you can take a quiz for some guidance based on your face shape and style preferences.) Skip to step four if you see a pair of glasses you're confident will fit and look great — otherwise, head to step two to find out how to try on some contenders.

Credit: Screenshots via WarbyParker.com

Step 2: Pick some frames for Home Try-On.

Add up to five frames to your cart and head to checkout. (If you like more than five options, you'll have to order another Home Try-On kit after you send the first one back.) At this point, you'll be prompted to sign into a Warby Parker account if you haven't already. You'll then be taken to a page that prompts you to enter your shipping and payment info; you won't be charged unless you don't return the frames. Finally, click the "Place your free order" button at the bottom of the page to do just that.

Credit: Screenshot via WarbyParker.com

Step 3: Try on your frames (and then send them back).

A Home Try-On kit containing your frames, a free return label, and a newspaper-style "handbook" with fit advice and ordering info will arrive on your doorstep within five business days. You'll then have five more days to take them for test drives before sending them back. (Again, Warby Parker will charge you the full cost of each frame without prescription lenses if you don't — to the tune of $85.50 to $130.50 apiece.)

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Step 4: Choose and customize your favorite frames.

Once you're sure which style you want, pull up its product page and click the button that says "Select lenses and purchase." You'll then pick a frame width, a prescription type, a lens type, and a lens material before being prompted to add the glasses to your cart.

Credit: Screenshot via WarbyParker.com

Step 5: Add your prescription (or defer it for later).

If you don't have a current eye prescription, you can renew it from home with a 10-minute Virtual Vision Test for $15 (via the Warby Parker mobile app). You won't be charged if your prescription is out of date.

Credit: Screenshot via WarbyParker.com

Step 6: Review and place your order.

You can review your delivery and payment details and add your eye insurance info (if you have it) at checkout; shipping is free. Once your order's been placed and your prescription's been verified, your new glasses should arrive with a hard-sided frame case and a lens cloth within seven to 10 business days. You'll have 30 days to return or exchange them.

Credit: Screenshot via WarbyParker.com

SAVE UP TO $13.58: Just in time for back-to-school season, several varieties of Command strips and hooks are on sale at Amazon for as low as $7.32. You'll save up to 49% on damage-free hanging essentials.

Opens in a new window Credit: Command Command strips and hooks Save up to 49% on select packs Get Deal

Heading back to college? Don't forget the Command strips and hooks for damage-free hanging in your dorm.

Sure, some schools are more lenient than others when it comes to what counts as normal wear and tear. But some universities will nickel and dime you upon move-out for any repairs — and that includes your walls. If you want to ensure all of the picture frames, posters, and other decor you choose to hang won't result in blatant property destruction, you need Command products. And luckily, the brand is coming in hot with some heavy discounts for back-to-school season.

While you may be tempted to rip into the package and throw the Command strips or hooks up on your walls, patience is key with these magic hanging tools. Make sure you follow the directions and wait the appropriate amount of time for the adhesive to build, or else you won't get the clean removal you're hoping for. Seriously — ask me how I know.

Whether you're hoping to hang a few frames, a cork board, some fairy lights, or a cute mirror, there's a pack of Command strips or hooks for you. And as of Aug. 14, there's a good chance it's on sale. We've rounded up some of the best back-to-school deals on Command products below.

Command strips deals

• Command 20-pound XL Heavyweight Picture Hanging Strips (8-pack) — $7.32 $11.99 (save $4.67)

• Command 20-pound XL Heavyweight Picture Hanging Strips (16-pack) — $10.17 $19.99 (save $9.82)

• Command 10-pound Narrow Picture Hanging Strips (28-pack) — $12.80 $18.99 (save $6.19)

• Command 15-pound Picture Hanging Strips (20-pack) — $14.19 $18.99 (save $4.80)

Command hooks deals

• Command Mixed Hooks Pack (9-pack) — $7.09 $10.13 (save $3.04 with on-page coupon)

• Command X-Large Matte Black Triple Hook — $7.59 $14.99 (save $7.40)

• Command Universal Frame Hangers (3-pack) — $8.68 $12.99 (save $4.31)

• Command 0.5-pound Wire Toggle Hooks (16-pack) — $9.65 $13.99 (save $4.34)

• Command Mixed Designer Hook Pack (10-pack) — $11.91 $14.99 (save $3.08)

• Command 2-pound Wire Toggle Hooks (10-pack) — $12.17 $18.59 (save $6.42)

• Command 5-pound Utility Hooks (14-pack) — $13.25 $24.99 (save $11.74)

• Command X-Large Matte Black Triple Hook (2-pack) — $17.41 $30.99 (save $13.58)

SAVE $262: As of Aug. 14, get the Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor for $737.99, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 26% and its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey G9 $737.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $262 Get Deal

Looking for a new gaming monitor? Samsung just debuted the first-ever OLED model with a 500hz refresh rate, but if that one is a bit too rich for your blood, there's another option: the Samsung Odyssey G9. And you can get it right now, courtesy of Amazon, for its lowest price yet.

As of Aug. 14, get the Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor for $737.99, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's $262 off and a discount of 26%. It's also the lowest price yet.

SEE ALSO: Samsung releases the first-ever OLED gaming monitor with 500Hz refresh rate

This massive monitor is everything you need to turn whatever game you're playing into a full-on experience. Its super-ultrawide 49-inch curved screen can wrap around your vision to make you feel like you're right in the middle of the action. Plus, its Dual QHD resolution (5120 x 1440) means you get crisp, gorgeous action with a 144Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time.

It supports G-Sync compatibility as well as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to help cut down on stuttering, screen tearing, and lag. Plus, it has burn-in protection, Picture-in-Picture options, and a variety of other bells and whistles that make it an absolutely fantastic choice for using when it's time to get your game on.

If the newest Samsung gaming monitor is going to be a bit too much for your budget, this alternative is something you should absolutely consider instead, especially since it's dipped to its lowest price ever.

SAVE 27%: The Shark PowerDetect with Clean & Empty System stick vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, down from the list price of $549.99. That's a savings of $150.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect with Clean & Empty System $399.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Robot vacuums might be the "it" home cleaning solution for tons of homes, but they're not perfect for everyone. If you prefer the convenience of a cordless stick vacuum, one of Mashable's favorite options is on sale at Amazon.

As of Aug. 14, the Shark PowerDetect with Clean & Empty System stick vacuum is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $549.99. That's a savings of $150 thanks to a 27% discount.

In Mashable's review of the best cordless stick vacuum, Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart chose the Shark PowerDetect with Clean & Empty System as the best option for those with pets. "If you're dealing with pet hair from multiple pets on multiple carpet piles, the Shark PowerDetect — Shark's most powerful cordless vacuum — is the beast that'll change the game for you," she wrote.

SEE ALSO: Dreame's summer vacuum launch is the biggest vacuum drop of 2025 so far

With its self-emptying base, you can ignore cleaning out the debris and dust bin for over a month. Dyson has yet to come out with a stick model that comes with auto-emptying, so Shark takes the win with this model. Plus, the powerful suction is truly something to behold. "I've never quite sensed suction power rumble through my hand like I can with the PowerDetect. I can literally feel the double brush rolls snatching up the cat hair and other gunk embedded in my rugs as it pulls my hand across the room," Stodart wrote.

Another major benefit of the Shark PowerDetect is its ability to bend which makes cleaning under the bed, the table, and the couch so much easier.

While it's down to under $400, gift yourself (and your floors) the super powerful Shark PowerDetect with Clean & Empty System stick vacuum. If you've never used a stick vacuum or think you absolutely hate vacuuming, this model just might change your mind.

SAVE 43%: The Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $229.95. That's a savings of $99.96.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon
$229.95 Save $99.96 Get Deal

Summer isn't over yet, and if the weather continues on its "new normal" pattern, we could be feeling the heat for several more months. Instead of fretting about sweating through back to school season, snag something that'll make it a bit more enjoyable.

As of Aug. 14, the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is on sale at Amazon for $129.99, marked down from the usual price of $229.95. That's a major 43% discount that takes $99.96 off the price. Today's sale price comes within four cents of the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon and it comes with a $6.50 credit that'll land in your Amazon account a month after your soft serve maker arrives.

If ice cream is you're go-to sweet treat, you've probably considered making your own at home. Not only does that give you unlimited flavor possibilities, it means you don't have to worry about it melting on the trip home from the store. Cuisinart has a countertop machine that produces not only ice cream but soft serve, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and gelato. Yes, that's truly a chilled dessert lover's dream.

The Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is a ticket to homemade soft serve in under 30 minutes. It's no secret that Mashable loves the Ninja Swirl, which also makes at-home soft serve. However, the machine comes with a steep price tag. You can snag affordable at-home ice cream makers, but not many (if any?) can make soft serve. Except for the Cuisinart Mix It In machine.

Cuisinart really thought about the soft-serve lover with this model, incorporating a mix-in holder to add your three favorite toppings, a cone holder, and a warming cup area to melt sauces like chocolate and caramel. If you prefer, you can use the machine to make frozen drinks, gelato, or sorbet.

Whatever your favorite frozen dessert may be, the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is here to make your at-home dreams come true. Snag it while down to just $129.99 at Amazon and make this the summer of delicious backyard treats.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 14, the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's a savings of 25% and just $4 away from their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal

It's rare for a brand to really a nail a product on its first try, but Sonos aced it (sorry) with the Ace headphones. Our biggest complaint? The steep $449 price tag. It's a good thing Sonos knocked the list price down to $399 — and even better that it shaved an extra $100 off during back-to-school season.

As of Aug. 14, you can grab the Sonos Ace headphones for only $299 at Amazon. That's a savings of 25%, or $100 off the current list price. That also matches the headphones' Prime Day price and is only $4 away from their best price ever.

SEE ALSO: I found the exact headphones Taylor Swift wore to announce her new album — and they're on sale

The Sonos Ace headphones were three years in the making and, while other brands may have slightly better noise cancellation, Mashable's tester Miller Kern said, "Sonos wins when it comes to sound quality." Beyond incredible sound, they also score a 10 out of 10 in the looks department, offer great spatial audio, will last you up to 30 hours per charge with ANC turned on, and are supremely comfortable. As Kern put it, "No exaggeration, these are the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve personally tried."

Sonos recently announced that, thanks to President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Sonos products are about to get pricier. In other words, if you've been eyeing the Sonos Ace headphones, now's a good time to grab them. The $100 discount is just the icing on the cake.

SAVE $149.01: As of Aug. 14, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $649.99, down from its usual price of $799, at Amazon. That's a discount of 19%.

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

There are plenty of Apple Watch models to choose from to fit multiple budgets. But one stands tall above the rest: the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It's Apple's most premium model, and as such it's the most expensive. But if you've been looking for a reason to grab one, now's the time, thanks to today's deal at Amazon. Plus, Apple announced that the popular Blood Oxygen sensor feature will be returning to the Apple Watch after a tumultuous patent dispute, so it's a good idea to invest in one.

As of Aug. 14, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Amazon for $649.99, down from its usual price of $799. That's $149.01 off for a discount of 19%.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces Blood Oxygen feature is returning to Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is made to move. It's the perfect companion for whether you're headed out on a hike, vacationing, or just working on your fitness. With a titanium case, rugged wristband, and water resistance up to 100 meters, it's the most action-ready watch you can buy from Apple right now.

It also boasts a massive battery, with around 36 hours of battery life per charge. Use low-power mode, and you can get up to 72 hours out of it, which is perfect for when you're off-grid and need to rely on its many features, including offline maps, a compass, and all of its fitness tracking capabilities: it has metrics for sleep, heart rate, exercise, and much more.

This discount may go fast and is only available for certain colors and models, so if you're going to grab it, best to do so soon.

Is Amazon working on a cheaper version of its color display Kindle?

According to allegedly leaked photos posted on Reddit, the answer is yes. On Wednesday, a redditor shared images of what they claim is a prototype of a smaller Kindle with a color display, via The Verge. The user, writing in Portuguese, said it's a smaller version of the Kindle 11, Amazon's latest e-reader. The prototype has a color display like the Kindle Colorsoft which launched in 2024.

Reddit

The biggest complaint about Amazon's first colorized e-reader is the cost. The Colorsoft debuted with a flagship version called the Signature Edition for $279.99. This past July, it launched two other iterations for a slightly cheaper price: the Kindle Colorsoft for $249.99 and the Kindle Colorsoft Kids for $269.99. For reference, the black and white standard Kindle costs $109.99 and the Kindle Paperwhite, $159.99. So the Kindle Colorsoft is a steep markup just for reading in color.

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

In the images of the alleged prototype, the device is called the Kindle Petit Color. But the user says the name isn't finalized yet, so that could change. The user also shared that the device has "progressive" color so that the text and status bar changes color as you progress and the color quality is much better than the current Kindle Colorsoft.

The anonymous user's claims haven't been verified, so take this leak with a big grain of salt. But if this turns out to be a real prototype for an upcoming budget-friendly version of the Kindle Colorsoft, that would make many Kindle readers very happy.

Apple fans could be in for some pretty exciting launches in 2025. Like normal, we're expecting the brand to launch new iPhones this fall, but those who love their Apple home entertainment items are quietly getting excited. Apple rumors are afloat about new items that will be the go-to for streaming all the movies and TV shows that get us through dreary winter months. And we're hopeful they'll launch before the end of 2025.

A rumor is still a rumor until it's proven as fact, so there's still a chance this speculation might not come to fruition, but there's no harm in dreaming, right?

An upgraded Apple HomePod mini

Apple first launched the HomePod mini about five years ago, which means we're well due for the Apple HomePod mini 2 which is rumored to be dropping sometime before the end of 2025. The expectation is that it'll include a better chip, cutting down on response time.

The current HomePod mini comes with the S5 chip that's also found in the Apple Watch Series 5. It's possible Apple will upgrade this to a newer chip and MacRumors is guessing this could be the S11 chip that is likely to launch in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, assuming those also arrive in 2025.

We'd also be down with new colorway options for the Apple HomePod mini 2. Currently colorway options are pretty bold, aside from the white and black. Getting a Starlight or Sky Blue option similar to that of the MacBook would be welcomed. If you're not down with waiting for the HomePod mini 2, you can snag the original HomePod mini for $99 at Apple.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple HomePod mini $99 at Apple
Shop Now A snappier Apple TV 4K

The current model of the Apple TV 4K came out in 2022 and has a A15 Bionic chip. According to Apple's own code, it seems as if that's getting an upgrade to the A17 Pro chip, which could spell big performance improvements. The A17 Pro chip is also capable of supporting Apple Intelligence, which requires 8GB of memory. That would mean the Apple TV 4K could be in line for doubling the current storage space from 4GB up to 8GB.

Again, if you're not willing to wait around for the new model to drop, you can still snag the current model for $149.99 at Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple TV 4K $149.99 at Best Buy
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After a years-long patent dispute with the medical device maker Masimo, Apple announced today that the popular Blood Oxygen reporting feature will be returning to the Apple Watch. In a blog post, Apple said the feature will be available later today for U.S. customers with the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 after users update their iPhones to iOS 18.6.1 and their smartwatch to watchOS 11.6.1.

The blog post reads, "Following this update, sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app. This update was enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling."

Back in 2023, just before the holiday shopping season, the newly released Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were pulled from shelves in the U.S. due to the dispute with Masimo. The company was also prohibited from importing new Apple Watches with the feature, as Mashable reported at the time. The medical device maker claimed Apple had violated its patent in designing the blood oxygen feature, and the International Trade Commission ruled in Masimo's favor.

The disputed pulse oximetry feature could be used to measure the level of oxygen in the blood, which can be helpful data for athletes and people with respiratory health problems.

Now, the feature will be returning to Apple Watches.

As Apple said in its blog post, the update is possible thanks to a new ruling in Apple's favor. Apple had filed a tit-for-tat suit against Masimo, claiming the company had actually violated Apple's patents. According to Bloomberg Law, Apple won a grand total of $250 in the appeals court ruling, with an Apple attorney saying "We're not here for the money" in the company's closing arguments.

In addition, Apple says the latest news will not impact "Apple Watch units previously purchased that include the original Blood Oxygen feature, nor to Apple Watch units purchased outside of the U.S."

The Apple Watch Series 10 is already a popular fitness tracker, and the return of Blood Oxygen reporting will be welcome news for many customers.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 10 review: Buy it for the faster charging Products featured in this story Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm, Black, S/M 130-180mm, Sports Band) $399.00 at Best Buy Shop Now Apple Watch Ultra $781.99 at Amazon Get Deal Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) $389.99 at Amazon Get Deal