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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

During.

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

WHILE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To entrap.

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

DECOY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A spectacle.

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

DRAMA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Slimy.

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

GOOEY

Final Hurdle hint

A rod.

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

REBAR

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 is almost completely out of view, which can only mean one thing: the New Moon is almost here. The New Moon is the start of a new lunar cycle, and we're now on day 26.

But what is the lunar cycle? According to NASA, it's a 29.5-day series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. These different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth, so let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 18.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Sept. 18, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 11% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Visibility is low right now, and there's nothing to see without any visual aids. But if you have binoculars, you'll be able to see the Grimaldi Basin. With a telescope, the Reiner Gamma will also come into view.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 September 17, 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 Strands hints, answers for September 17, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 18 Pips

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 18 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add to 20. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 18 Pips

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

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 September 17, 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: Poker shapes

• Green: Can rely on

• Blue: Same last name

• Purple: Part of the alphabet

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: Card Suits

• Green: Dependable

• Blue: ___Allen

• Purple: Sports Terms...or Words in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

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 #360 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Card Suits - CLUB, DIAMOND, HEART, SPADE

• Dependable - CONSISTENT, RELIABLE, STEADY, UNFAILING

• ___Allen - DICK, JOSH, PHOG, RAY

• Sports Terms...or Words in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet - GOLF, UNIFORM, VICTOR, YANKEE

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

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

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

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

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday unveiled what he called the company's "first AI glasses with high resolution" — the Meta Ray-Ban Display, coming September 30 for $799. But the unveiling didn't quite go as Zuckerberg hoped.

Zuckerberg's MetaConnect 2025 keynote, held at Meta's California headquarters at the unusually late hour of 5 p.m. Pacific (8 p.m. Eastern), was expected to reveal a groundbreaking pair of smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova. What we got: An upgrade to the preexisting Ray-Ban Meta frames; a new sports-focused set of Oakleys, the Meta Vanguard; and the new model, confusingly called Meta Ray-Bans.

"This is one of those special moments where we get to show you something we've poured our lives into," Zuckerberg told a packed house and a livestream with 4,000 viewers. The Meta Ray-Bans had a bright, crisp display rated at an impressive 5,000 nits, he said.

Then Zuckerberg revealed not just the Meta Ray-Bans he walked in with (and quickly stashed), but also a companion device called the Meta Neural Band, a light fabric wristband that picks up on small movements in the wrist. This allows you to enter words on the smart glasses display by pretending to handwrite. "I'm up to about 30 words a minute on this," Zuckerberg said.

And then the CEO stood helpless as a repeated WhatsApp video call from Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth appeared on his glasses. Zuckerberg's Neural Band interface was apparently unable to pick up the call; Boz had to join him live on stage.

Zuckerberg's demo game had started strong; the keynote opened with a live view through his Meta Ray-Bans, showing Zuckerberg as he fired up a hype song (the Neural Band also allows for volume control) and replied to incoming texts with a muscle-arm emoji.

But then a live demo of the new Ray-Ban Metas (available now for $379) ran aground on the glasses' "LiveAI feature," which was supposed to be instructing one presenter on how to make a sauce with all of the ingredients in front of him.

"Now that you've made your base ..." the glasses began several times, ignoring the presenter's repeated request for instructions on how to make that base: "What do I do first?"

Zuckerberg later blamed that demo failure on the WiFi, but he was unable to explain why his Meta Ray-Bans could not pick up Boz's call. Finally, a non-live non-demo video purported to show the Meta Ray-Bans being used to design a surfboard and order parts.

Zuckerberg explained this was how the glasses would work with agentic AI, brushing past any concerns about whether agentic AI is a thing that works at all — in live demos or otherwise.

In the wake of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s killing, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer has called on the CEOs of Discord, Reddit, Twitch, and Valve to testify at an Oct. 8 hearing on online radicalization.

The hearing follows claims that the accused shooter — a 22-year-old white man from Utah — may have been influenced by extremist communities online. “Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” Comer said in a press release. “To prevent future radicalization and violence, the CEOs…must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what actions they will take to ensure their platforms are not exploited for nefarious purposes.”

SEE ALSO: After losing their son, parents urge Senate to take action on AI chatbots

Federal investigators are still working to determine the shooter’s true motivations, though Robinson's mother told police he learned left of center politically, according to USA Today. Bullet casings recovered at the scene carried meme-laden inscriptions referencing Helldivers 2, anti-fascist themes, and furry culture jokes from 4chan. While early theories pointed to online radicalization, leaked Discord logs paint a far murkier picture of a young man whose friends describe as apolitical, more interested in video games and guns than ideology. A Reddit spokesperson told Mashable their internal review has so far turned up no evidence that the suspect was active on the site.

Earlier this week, Utah Governor Spencer Cox reported that the shooter remains uncooperative, but lawmakers are pressing ahead with scrutiny of the platforms. These hearings have become a familiar ritual in the United States, where mass shootings are frequent and tech companies are regularly accused of enabling extremist networks. Discord and Twitch were both investigated by state attorneys general after the 2022 Buffalo shooting at a supermarket.

Discord, for its part, has already signaled it will cooperate. "We have received the Committee’s invitation and welcome the opportunity to testify," a spokesperson told Mashable. "We continuously engage with policymakers on these critical issues and look forward to continuing this important dialogue next month."

SAVE $35.97: As of Sept. 17, Amazon is offering three months of Kindle Unlimited for free to Prime members who have never subscribed previously. Usually $11.99 per month, that's just shy of $36 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited free for 3 months (save $35.97) Get Deal

The Libby app is truly a blessing to readers, but the lengthy wait times on popular titles are the pits. If you're an avid reader and like to stay on top of the latest and greatest releases, Kindle Unlimited is the way to go. Sure, it costs a monthly fee, but if you're a new subscriber, you can get three months for free.

As of Sept. 17, Amazon is giving three free months of Kindle Unlimited to Prime members who have never subscribed previously. It's typically $11.99 per month, so that's $35.97 in savings. While Amazon hasn't specified an end date for the promotion, we expect it to last at least until the Prime Big Deal Days event (Oct. 7 and 8).

Kindle Unlimited unlocks instant access to millions of books in nearly every genre imaginable, including the soon-to-be major motion pictures Regretting You by Colleen Hoover and The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, and other popular titles like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. It even includes thousands of audiobooks and magazine subscriptions. And the best part? You don't even need a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited (although we highly suggest grabbing one). Just download the Kindle app and you can read on any device — your laptop, smartphone, iPad, or web browser.

Your subscription will automatically renew at full price — $11.99 per month — once the three-month promotional period ends. So be sure to set a reminder to cancel if you want to avoid those charges. Although, like me, there's a good chance Kindle Unlimited will keep you hooked.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC as a lifetime license for $169.97 (reg. $249.99) — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote with no recurring fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC: Lifetime License $169.97
$249.99 Save $80.02 Get Deal

If you’re tired of paying subscriptions for tools you use every day, here’s some good news: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is now available as a lifetime license for Mac or PC. That means one payment and full access — no monthly fees, no recurring charges.

Why upgrade:

• Word — New Focus Mode, Smart Compose, and research tools.

• Excel — Dynamic Arrays, AI-powered insights, and data visualization.

• PowerPoint — Record presentations with video/voice and enhanced storytelling features.

• Outlook — Better search, accessibility tools & stronger security.

• OneNote — Capture, organize & collaborate effortlessly.

• Performance Boosts — Faster, smoother handling of large files.

• Modern Interface — Consistent Fluent Design across all apps.

• Collaboration tools — Real-time co-authoring, Teams integration, version history.

• AI enhancements — Intelligent suggestions, natural language processing, smarter analytics.

• Work offline anytime — Full access without relying on the cloud.

Office 2024 gives you the latest features professionals rely on — with the simplicity of a one-time purchase.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC for just $169.97 (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The Summer I Turned Pretty may have aired its series finale, but there's still more story to tell.

On Wednesday, just hours after The Summer I Turned Pretty's final episode dropped and Belly (Lola Tung) made her final choice between Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), Prime Video announced that The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie is in the works. The movie will serve as the supersized finale for the series. The Summer I Turned Pretty author and showrunner Jenny Han is set to both write and direct.

SEE ALSO: Why Conrad from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' is the internet’s ultimate summer crush

"There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due. I’m so grateful to Prime Video for continuing to support my vision for this story and for making it possible to share this final chapter with the fans," said Han in a press release.

What will The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie be about?

Story details for The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie are under wraps for now, but Han's statement gives viewers a clue. She mentioned a "big milestone left in Belly's journey." What could that be?

Well, The Summer I Turned Pretty series closes with — spoiler alert! — Belly choosing her first love, Conrad Fisher. In that way, it follows Han's books, but there is a key element of their ending missing: their wedding!

The final book in the series, We'll Always Have Summer, ends with Belly and Conrad's wedding, and with Belly reading the letter Susannah (Rachel Blanchard) wrote for her to read on her wedding day. However, the wedding is missing from The Summer I Turned Pretty's finale, meaning that Belly and Conrad's wedding is likely going to be the "big milestone" Han mentioned.

When is The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie coming out?

The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie doesn't have a release date yet. However, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney are both confirmed to be reprising their roles as Belly and Conrad.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is now streaming on Prime Video.

Upcoming horror film Good Boy takes familiar haunted house tropes and filters them through an unlikely perspective: that of its canine star, Indy.

SEE ALSO: 'Good Boy' review: What if a dog were a horror movie hero?

The film sees Indy (the real-life family pet of Good Boy director Ben Leonberg) and his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), move into a vacant family home in the countryside. The vibes in the house are immediately off. Not only can Indy sense an invisible presence, he also receives haunting visions of the home's previous owner's death. As Todd threatens to succumb to a similar fate, it's up to Indy to thwart the malevolent spirits lurking in the house and save his owner.

Indy the dog has earned rave reviews for his performance ever since Good Boy's world premiere at 2025's SXSW festival. Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko singled him out in her review, writing: "Indy is just a star from his first frame. His dark eyes, floppy ears, and sweet expression make him instantly lovable. But more than that, he is so game for whatever Leonberg directs him to do. Staying and staring into an eerie abyss? Jumping into action? Reacting to a burst of blood? Racing to Todd to protect him? Indy is a good boy, through and through."

Indy's star power is on full display in Good Boy's latest trailer, which puts him in all sorts of peril. Of course, seeing a dog in that amount of danger leads to one question: Does the dog die?

You'll have to see Good Boy yourself to discover Indy's fate. (Or you can spoil yourself with our handy guide.)

Good Boy hits theaters Oct. 3.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Apple's latest flagship iPhone isn't quite on store shelves yet, but the first reviews are up.

A handful of tech reporters have posted their initial reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the biggest and most expensive handset in the iPhone 17 lineup. Mashable will also have one up soon, but in the meantime, let's go over what everyone is saying about the beefy new phone. Between its controversial design, battery life, cameras, and more, critics have a lot to say, and very little of it is negative.

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 has officially landed. Here's how and when you can preorder all 4 phones. iPhone 17 Pro Max review roundup

Here's what everyone is saying about the new iPhone, which runs the just-released iOS 26.

The new design is winning people over How do you feel about cosmic orange? Credit: CNET

One of the more controversial aspects of the iPhone 17 Pro Max has been the design. Apple re-engineered the phone from previous models, housing many of its components in a new camera plateau that extends horizontally across the phone's rear. It's certainly more bulky-looking than before. The new orange color scheme has also been divisive, as is the lack of a black color option.

That said, the reviews I read indicated that critics more or less came around on the design. Mark Spoonauer of Tom's Guide had kind things to say about it.

"Apple took a risk with the iPhone 17 Pro Max redesign, and I actually think it pays off. What was just a camera bump in the top left corner is now a mammoth camera bar that Apple calls the plateau," Spoonauer wrote. "Some may not like it, but to me, it actually feels more Pro."

Apple also added a new aluminum frame to the phone's exterior, and Cherlynn Low of Engadget noted that this should make the phone more durable. She noted that her iPhone 16 Pro experienced a bad fall with some cracks recently, but the 17 Pro Max is unlikely to suffer the same fate.

"With its aluminum frame protecting the edges of the rear and back, there is little chance the iPhone 17 Pro will break in the way my iPhone 16 Pro did. Its screen is now protected by Ceramic Shield 2, so if it fell flat on its face it should still be able to survive the impact," Low wrote. "The rear is a bit more vulnerable, since the three cameras still protrude slightly from the plateau, but those are covered by the same sapphire crystal that previous models were."

As for the new orange color, that's a matter of personal taste, but it should be noted that critics generally liked that, too.

The selfie camera is the star

Across the board, reviews have been kind to the iPhone 17 Pro Max's trio of 48MP rear cameras. However, that's normal and expected. One thing that really stood out is how much reviewers liked the new Center Stage selfie camera.

Patrick Holland of CNET, which is owned by Mashable publisher Ziff Davis, noted the improvements made to the selfie camera, including the ability for it to zoom out and take bigger group shots.

"There's a new selfie camera on both Pro phones that Apple calls Center Stage. It not only takes 18-megapixel selfies, up from 12 megapixels on the 16 Pro, but you can hold the 17 Pro vertically and take a horizontal selfie thanks to a new square image sensor." Holland wrote. "You can press an onscreen button to change the orientation, and there are even settings that will auto-rotate and auto-zoom out for group shots."

Patrick Holland of CNET takes a selfie with the iPhone 17 Pro. Credit: CNET

Over at Engadget, Low noted that she was skeptical of Center Stage at first, but was quickly won over after using it in a number of different scenarios.

"I was all the more persuaded when I paired Center Stage with a timer or remote control of the selfie camera and placed the iPhone 17 Pro Max on a table," Low wrote. "A group of seven or so friends and I gathered in front of the device and watched it flip into landscape mode as more of us got into the scene. It has been helpful in a number of unexpected ways."

Big battery life

Part of Apple's rationale for the new camera plateau is that it could house more components, such as the phone's upgraded battery. According to the early iPhone 17 Pro reviews, the battery part was not BS.

Take it from Julian Chokkattu of Wired. In that site's review, Chokkattu noted that you can easily get through a day without charging your iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Credit: CNET

"In real-world testing, I haven't worried about battery life on either of these phones. I'm using the Pro Max right now, which has more than 5 hours of screen-on time (SoT) and 55 percent left in the tank. I hit nearly seven hours of SoT on the iPhone 17 Pro, and it still had 30 percent left," Chokkattu wrote. "Much will depend on what you're doing—hours of gaming will deplete the cell much faster—but I think there's a good chance you might not have to charge your iPhone every single day anymore, especially with the Pro Max."

Lance Ulanoff of TechRadar also had very positive experiences with the battery, but cautioned that we might have to wait a while before we have real, detailed metrics on the iPhone 17 Pro Max's battery performance.

"Now, in my experience, I went over 30 hours (it's rated for 39 hours) before I needed to charge the phone. However, I think it's too early to make a final assessment on battery life," Ulanoff wrote. "I know my phone is busy copying 30,000 emails, updating photo libraries, and more background tasks relating to initial setup."

In summary, it sounds like Apple nailed the things it needed to nail with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, at least according to these initial reviews. Mashable will have a review of our own up in due time, so stay tuned for that.

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a lot of significant matchups in the Champions League this week, but Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea might be the biggest of the bunch. Both sides will be looking to progress comfortably from the group stage and perhaps even challenge for the trophy, so an opening round win would set things in the right direction.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea?

Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea for free

Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

The U.S.'s TikTok ban has been pushed back yet again by President Donald Trump.

Trump has declared that December 16, 2025 is the new deadline for TikTok and its China-based parent company Bytedance to come to an agreement to sell off the app if it wants to continue to operate in the U.S.

Earlier this week, Trump and members of his administration shared that there was a "framework" for a deal with China to sell off TikTok. However, at the time, details surrounding the deal were scarce. 

According to a new Wall Street Journal report, though, it appears that the deal would see 80 percent of TikTok's ownership go to a consortium that includes Trump allies such as Larry Ellison's Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake. The other 20 percent of the company would still be owned by Chinese stakeholders. It appears that China would continue to hold on to the technology behind TikTok, such as its much sought after algorithm, and would license it to the new U.S. company.

The TikTok ban received bipartisan support from Congress due to alleged national security issues. Trump, who supported the ban during his first term in office, however, had a change of heart after claiming TikTok helped his 2024 presidential campaign to victory.

The December 16 deadline is just roughly one month short of the one-year anniversary of TikTok briefly going dark as a result of a U.S. ban going into effect.  In January of this year, TikTok blocked U.S. users from accessing the app before Trump, who was in the midst of his inauguration weekend, extended their deadline.

Trump has extended TikTok's deadline multiple times and his administration appeared to be striking a harsher tone with the company over the summer in order to get a deal finished.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back with a stellar lineup of groups stage fixtures, including Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid. Arne Slot's side have made a perfect start to the new season, but Atlético Madrid is always a tough test. The likes of Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez will be looking to cause problems for the home side.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid?

Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid for free

Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $900: The Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector is on sale at Amazon for $1,099.99, down from the standard price of $1,999.99. That's a 45% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nebula Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $900 Get Deal

The evening temps might be getting crisper, but it's not time yet to head indoors for the season. We still have plenty of great movie night opportunities while cozied up under blankets this fall. If you're looking for a top-tier movie experience either outside this fall or inside this winter, check out this epic deal at Amazon.

As of Sept. 17, the Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,999.99. That's a massive 45% discount that takes $900 off the price. It also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Giving off a major 2,200 ANSI lumens, the Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector does not need to wait until dark to get the show started. And no one will be complaining about the 4K UHD display. Pair these features with its overall weight of about 10 pounds and a convenient carrying handle, and you have something that might steal the show from your TV.

Take the Nebula Cosmo in the backyard for movie night, set it up in the living room, pack it along to a friend's house, or use it in the office for work. It's not quite as portable as the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector, but you're in for a nicer display and significantly higher lumens.

SEE ALSO: Score the Hisense 65-inch E6 Cinema Series QLED 4K TV for its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Displaying up to 150 inches, the Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K is ready for all types of viewing, and the built-in speakers aim to please with Dolby Audio. You'll be able to connect your favorite shows and movies via a Bluetooth connection, a USB stick, or an HDMI.

The Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector can also be a great choice for those who live in an apartment and don't want to mount a TV to the wall. Plus, when it comes time to move, it's infinitely easier to pack up a 10-pound projector compared to a TV.

While it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, upgrade to the Nebula Cosmo Laser 4K projector. Streaming the best fall shows will feel incredible on a 150-inch display.

SAVE $100.11: As of Sept. 17, get the Eureka J15 Ultra Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for $599.88 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eureka J15 Ultra Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum $599.98 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $100.01 Get Deal

Ready to stop spending so much time vacuuming your home? It's a thankless task that no one actually likes having to do, never mind one that has to be done so often that it seems never-ending. But these days, you can have a robot handle all your dirty work thanks to the many robot vacuums out there. And with this Amazon deal, you can employ a robot to clean for you without having to spend more than you bargained for.

As of Sept. 17, get the Eureka J15 Ultra Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for $599.88 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $100.11 off and a discount of 14%.

SEE ALSO: These 6 self-emptying robot vacuums were the most hands-off during my testing

This self-emptying robot vacuum has 19,000 Pa of suction, which means it can cut through embedded dirt and debris in your carpet with ease. It can handle a variety of messes, and with its 8-in-1 base, it can automatically empty itself, refill the water for its mop option, and handle washing and drying all on its own.

It uses anti-tangle brushes to get through hair and other tough messes, and when you're done vacuuming, you can swap to its mop option with a flex-arm to help get into all those tight corners and crevices. With smart AI dirt detection and obstacle avoidance, you can set it and forget it as well, as it maps its own routes and uses LiDAR to avoid obstacles. It also uses cameras and LED lights to determine the best path so as not to be interrupted by a cat or a foot — or that evil coffee table.

If it's time to invest in a robot vacuum, grab this one and cut plenty of time off of your routine.

For some reason, when Apple dropped its new lineup of phones earlier this month, they didn't include a black or graphite iPhone 17 Pro — one of the biggest complaints Apple users have about the new iPhone.

"'How about we cancel the most popular pro color option?'" one user wrote on Reddit, mocking Apple's decision. "Apple needs to fire the person who signed-off on this illogical decision," they continued.

"Yes I agree, I can’t see a single reason why they’d cancel one of the two main, most basic colors (black and white)," another user responded.

"Hard to believe the Pro models once stood for class. This color scheme just looks tacky," another user wrote, echoing the dozens of comments that asked why Apple went with the controversial cosmic orange over classic black. And while some users might not appreciate Apple's color choices — silver, deep blue, and cosmic orange — we can get a look at what a black iPhone 17 Pro could have looked like.

SEE ALSO: A lot of people on the internet are calling the iPhone 17 Pro design ugly

Marques Brownlee, a popular YouTuber (and professional ultimate frisbee player) who reviews tech, showed off a video on X that revealed how a black iPhone 17 Pro would look.

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

Personally, I think it looks pretty good — and so do plenty of people in the replies to Brownlee's post. Some users disagreed, saying "the scratches would of been wild" and it "doesn't look that good tbh." The vast majority of responses are in agreement: A black iPhone 17 Pro would have been a great option, and Apple is missing out by not including one.

This isn't the first video we've seen taking a "What if" approach to the controversial iPhone 17 Pro design. After the launch, a series of digitally-altered videos by a special effects artist went viral on Reels, including one featuring a color-changing iPhone. Videos like these show just how many people are yearning for something other than cosmic orange:

View this post on Instagram SEE ALSO: This viral video of the iPhone 17 Pro has 130 million views and counting. It's also fake.

TikTok's long, winding saga of dealing with a potential ban in the United States appears to be advancing toward a resolution.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that U.S. buyers and TikTok were working toward "finalizing" a framework for a deal in which a U.S. entity would own an 80 percent stake in the company while Chinese shareholders would own the rest. The story also revealed that the potential buyers were Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel reacts to TikTok 'framework' agreement between U.S. and China

Oracle, a software and cloud giant, has long been connected to TikTok as a potential purchaser. Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) are both huge names in tech investing. It's worth noting that the companies and their leaders have connections with the Trump administration, which has obviously been closely involved with the potential deal. President Donald Trump even said he'd like Oracle co-founder "Larry [Ellison] to buy it." Marc Andreessen, co-founder of a16z, morphed into a staunch Trump supporter after years as a Democrat.

The potential deal has been a long time coming. After multiple threats of a ban, pushed deadlines, and long lulls with no news, this deal appears to be heading toward the finish line. It appears the Trump administration is happy with the end result.

"A deal was also reached on a 'certain' company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save," Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social. "They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!!"

SAVE $50: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale at Amazon for $249, down from the standard price of $299. That's a 17% discount that matches the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Get Deal

Snagging a best-selling DJI drone has been no easy feat lately. The brand has been dropping new drone models in the last year that have been excluded from release in the U.S. Browse DJI's site, and you'll find every drone listed as unavailable with a nice "notify me" button in place of the normal "buy" button. However, it's possible to find DJI drones in stock at Amazon, and that's true of today's deal, but the deal has an asterisk we have to mention.

As of Sept. 17, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale at Amazon for $249, marked down from the list price of $299. That's a 17% discount that saves drone aficionados $50. That matches the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

However, today's deal comes via a third-party seller, AeroTech Hubs. In normal situations, Mashable prefers not to buy from third-party sellers, but since this is not a normal situation and AeroTech Hubs has a positive track record, this could be the best path to scoring a new DJI drone.

SEE ALSO: The versatile DJI Osmo Mobile 7P is within $1 of its lowest price ever at Amazon

DJI considers the Mini 4K to be the perfect entry-level mini drone, and everyone seems to agree. For starters, the drone weighs under 249 grams, which means anyone can fly it without permits or licensing. Then there's the 31-minute flight time, the 4K video with 30fps, and the 4x digital zoom.

More beginner-friendly aspects come from the return to home feature and the level five wind resistance. Plus, the DJI Fly app comes with plenty of tips and easy-to-follow guidance for beginners.

While it's back at a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 4K from Amazon. Since a potential DJI drone ban is still possible, it's best to secure yours sooner rather than later.

SAVE $200: As of Sept. 17, get the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 for $599.99, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200 Get Deal

If you're planning on playing all the latest games this year (like Borderlands 4, for example) in crystal clear clarity, you might be ready to grab a new gaming monitor. That can be a major purchase, so if you're looking to save some cash while doing so, you'll want to make your way over to Amazon to capitalize on a great Samsung deal.

As of Sept. 17, get the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 for $599.99, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's $200 off and a discount of 25%.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

This monitor boasts a 27-inch screen, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time to reduce lag and motion blur. It uses a QD-OLED panel to deliver deep, satisfying darker shades and bright colors so you get the best picture possible. It also supports FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync, so there's no screen tearing to speak of.

While this isn't a curved model like several of Samsung's other excellent gaming monitors, it's still more than worth investing in, especially for its size and picture quality. It has a dynamic cooling system to help reduce heat, a special built-in screen saver that dims itself after 10 minutes of inactivity, and protection against burn-in.

There's a lot to love about this monitor, especially with its price cut. If you're building a new place to enjoy all your games or just want a capable monitor to pair with your work-from-home station, this is an excellent contender that you can save hundreds on right now.