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FREE LABUBU: Steak 'n Shake is giving away over 100,000 Labubu from Aug. 4. Find your nearest location and enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win.

Opens in a new window Credit: Steak 'n Shake Steak 'n Shake: Free Labubu Toys from Aug. 4 Learn More

I'm not going to pretend that I know a lot about Labubu. In fact, I had to ask my wife what these things were when I stumbled upon this promotion. She reliably informed me that they are like Furbies with teeth, and they are sold in blind boxes. I also don't know what blind boxes are, but I was afraid to admit that at the time.

But what I do know is that Labubu is popular. Seriously popular.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a free Boombox model. Here’s how to get yours.

And that's why it's my duty to inform you that Steak 'n Shake to set to give away over 100,000 Labubu from Aug. 4. Steak 'n Shake is inviting guests to find their nearest location and enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win. All the details on how to enter can be found here. The Sweepstakes begin on Aug. 4 and conclude on Oct. 4 (or once all prizes have been claimed).

This has to be one of the weirdest promotions we've ever come across. It doesn't make a great deal of sense and details still aren't super clear, but this is Labubu we're talking about. We don't need clarity. We simply need Labubu.

All links in this article may lead to NSFW content.

Alexis James first learned about OnlyFans in 2020, while watching an episode of 90 Day Fiancé in which a cast member mentioned she'd started an account. A long-time porn fan, James had daydreamed for years about making adult content, but ultimately pursued a career in finance. Thanks to the pandemic, though, she had some time on her hands, and OnlyFans sounded pretty accessible. So she signed up, too. 

"I was like, 'This is going to be an easy side hustle,'" James recalls. She'd film when she could, post on a schedule, and "get super rich off of it." 

SEE ALSO: How to unblock porn sites and stream porn anonymously

That's how OnlyFans seems to work, if you're going off of blaring tabloid headlines about people like rapper Lil Tay, who reportedly joined OnlyFans days after turning 18 and made about a million bucks in three hours. 

But after weeks of low engagement and virtually no income from her account, James realized her approach to the platform just wasn't working. She pulled out some finance-world tricks and tools, running analyses on profitable pages and reading up on best practices in an attempt to suss out the secrets to OnlyFans success. And she soon realized that, as she puts it, "the amount of work that goes into content creation is way beyond anything I could have imagined."  

While the content on OnlyFans and similar platforms may look super casual, a ton of invisible setup and editing goes into each photo or clip. Successful creators do loads of market research as well, to build a unique personal brand, market themselves to potential fans via social media, and figure out what content their fans want. Because the internet's lousy with free porn, these fans ultimately pay less for that content and more for access to creators. So, performers have to engage constantly in a way that feels individualized and authentic, or face backlash from sometimes parasocial and pushy folks. 

The average creator only makes about $1,300 a year. Those who want to make a living have to treat OnlyFans like a serious, full-time job. "You have no fucking idea," says Andie Anderson, who's been on OnlyFans since 2020. "I use my business degree every day… more than I did while working for [mainstream] corporations." 

And those who want to make it really big — to be a top-earning success story — basically have to start and manage a small business. "I work over 90 hours a week and have a 15-person team," says Bryce Adams, one of OnlyFans' top earners. "My yearly payroll is over $1 million." 

Creators are increasingly open about the work that goes into OnlyFans success. And many of their fans "recognize and respect the amount of labor it takes to consistently produce high-quality content," says Emily van der Nagel, an academic who's studied the OnlyFans ecosystem. 

But the notion James had in her head in 2020 — that OnlyFans must be easy money — remains widespread, says Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith, a researcher who studies gig-economy sex work. "Everyone thinks you just take off your clothes and money appears out of thin air," adds Adams. 

Where does that wildly inaccurate idea come from? And why does it persist, despite an ever-growing body of conflicting evidence? Mashable reached out to a half dozen academics who've studied OnlyFans and similar platforms, and a dozen prominent content creators, to try to get to the bottom of this mystery. 

The roots of the belief are complex but worth untangling, because the idea that OnlyFans prints low-effort cash is not only demeaning to talented and hard-working creators. It's also potentially dangerous. 

Why people think sex work is "easy money"

"The idea that sex work is easy money is an old trope," explains Heather Berg, a feminist scholar of sex and labor who's studied the experiences of sex workers. 

Stormi Maya, who worked as a dom, a stripper, and a sugar baby before breaking into OnlyFans, says some of that's down to the fact that you don't need any experience or training in order to earn some decent cash. "People are like, 'Well, anyone can enter the field, therefore it's easy.'" 

But folks are quicker to dismiss sex workers than other supposedly low-skill fields, like manual labor, because most cultures view it as dirty and thus worthless. Outsiders see tons of money flowing into the adult industry, says Cherie DeVille, a longtime porn star who's cultivated a strong OnlyFans following, and assume they could get a fat slice of that pie — if they weren't "a well-raised person, a good person, an ethical person." 

Everyone thinks you just take off your clothes and money appears out of thin air. - OnlyFans top earner Bryce Adams

As Easterbrook-Smith puts it, "The unspoken second half of the sentiment 'OnlyFans is easy money' is, 'and they don't deserve it.'" 

"Most people featured in OnlyFans content, and porn more broadly, are women," adds van der Nagel. "And women's work is denigrated and dismissed across industries." 

"If women can succeed at it, the logic goes, it must be easy." 

Maya believes that particular view is growing stronger and more visible thanks to the growing popularity of explicitly misogynistic influencers like Andrew Tate.

Sites like OnlyFans turbocharge these ideas because, as digital porn platform researcher Maggie MacDonald explains, they're designed to seem easy. Modern porn platforms thrive on network effects — i.e., on shepherding as many creators and users into their ecosystem as possible. Not only do they make it simple to sign up, putting an emphasis on security, privacy, and self-determination, but they also subtly mainstream and normalize sex work, blurring the lines between adult creators and other influencers and keeping their platforms in the zeitgeist. 

"You see OnlyFans in pop culture, hear it in songs," says DeVille. It makes opening an OnlyFans account feel more acceptable, more doable, to most people than, say, opening a porn clip store. 

Lifestyle publications and tabloids also run a steady stream of success stories: of women who went from living on benefits to making "£10k a month with sexy pics" overnight, or bankers who quit their corporate jobs to earn "$400k a year" doing fulfilling OnlyFans work on their time. (James is pretty sure these sorts of stories led to her own skewed view of OnlyFans work.) These pieces may mention the work that goes into running a page, but they focus on low-stress wealth and empowerment. 

"There are a few anomalies where, yeah, maybe that happened for one lucky person," says Anderson. "But all of these girls are like, 'I'm making a million dollars a month, blah, blah, blah."

"Bullshit."

Susanna Paasonen, a longtime digital porn researcher, believes this genre took off in the press at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, when people were flocking to OnlyFans for extra cash and human connection. At their best, they were feel-good stories for a dark period. But they persist, suggests OnlyFans creator Bea York, because "our culture loves a get-rich-quick story."

MelRose Michaels, the founder of Sex Work CEO, an adult creator education and resource hub, believes that creators themselves play a major role in perpetuating this rosy coverage.  

Most creators sell the idea, as MacDonald puts it, "that you're getting a little glimpse into my extremely sexy life." That means making it seem like they're incredibly successful and happy, explains Easterbrook-Smith, while obscuring the work that goes into creating that "authentic" image. Most consumers want that easy-breezy fantasy of joyful, prosperous exhibitionism and open intimacy rather than a complex human story. Typically, the more successful a creator is, the more effortless they make success seem.   

"Cherie DeVille doesn't exist," DeVille explains. She's a character, bound by rules of engagement and presentation like any other brand presence on social media. "There's never going to be a day where I go on OnlyFans with my woes. That doesn't make money." 

Even people who flame out on OnlyFans rarely talk about their struggles, adds creator Penny Barber, if only because "it's pretty embarrassing to fail as a sex worker. To see that there's a dollar value affixed to your attractiveness — and it's low." 

"Many veterans only share the good parts because we are also trying to fight the stigma that comes with being a sex worker," argues York. "We can't talk about the tough stuff or the labor that goes into our success, because anti-sex work folks will just weaponize that against us." That imperative is especially strong now, as a fervent anti-porn movement picks up strength, especially in the United States. 

Anderson acknowledges that there's logic to all of this, but "it sets expectations that aren't real." 

How predatory agencies exploit the "easy money" myth

As OnlyFans grew increasingly saturated at the turn of the 2020s, a parallel industry emerged — management agencies — to help creators manage the backend work of branding, marketing and even engaging with fans, in exchange for a cut of their profits. (Beyond the cut OnlyFans itself takes.) The field is inherently controversial; fans have tried to sue agencies, creators, and even OnlyFans itself for fraud upon realizing they were chatting with a proxy rather than a creator. But many large and established agencies seem to operate with transparency and good faith. 

Mashable reached out to several prominent agencies for this story. Only two replied, indicating that they would, or would consider, getting back to us. Neither ultimately did. 

A slew of small and shady agencies, however, make their money by actively perpetuating the "easy money" myth — sometimes targeting young women on other social media sites, promising to make them a steady stream of cash. All these newbies have to do, they say, is start an account, take some explicit photos and videos, then turn over their credentials and contents to the agencies. 

That may sound like an obvious scam, but far too many people buy into this promise for the same reasons we buy into the wider "easy money" narrative: "A lot of people have jobs they don't like, and a fantasy that doing some other job would be better, easier, more fun," says DeVille. 

"The idea of doing OnlyFans is nice," adds creator Chloe Amour, "because you can work from home and choose your own schedule." 

People (typically non-sex workers) want to believe in the dream of OnlyFans so badly that some even hold onto the "easy money" notion despite personally knowing creators. James, who decided to get serious about OnlyFans in 2022, broke into traditional porn in 2023, and now has a thriving, full-time adult industry career, says most of her friends still maintain that view, "and it won't change, because they've never lived it." But the few who've "helped me actually film and edit some content, they have definitely altered their perspective. They're shocked by how much work it takes."   

This is not a harmless belief. 

The real financial hardship sex workers face

No matter the source or intent, the belief that OnlyFans is easy demeans and belittles creators who put a great deal of time, skill, and effort into crafting an image of effortless sexuality.  

This view is also, argues creator Jessica Ryan, "really dangerous" for newcomers. 

The mainstreaming of OnlyFans has softened some of the stigmas around at least some forms of sex work, DeVille acknowledges, but the social consequences of entering the industry are "still real enough." Adult creators face risks of financial discrimination and legal scrutiny, family strife and social rejection, and especially doxxing and stalking. "99.9 percent of my fans are awesome, normal people who would probably take a bullet for me," says Adams. "But that risk still exists."

SEE ALSO: Is AI porn the next horizon in self-pleasure — and is it ethical?

In Maya's experience, creating content for OnlyFans is definitely safer than working at a strip club, where people felt entitled to grab at her, make advances on her, and follow her around. However, she says, "You'd be surprised how many men will pay just to harass you." 

"The internet is forever," adds Anderson. If you put up even one video, it may float around indefinitely. You have to operate on the assumption that everyone you know will see it someday. "So you really have to make it count," rather than diving in because it seems easy. 

The worst small, off-grid agencies — the downright predatory ones — also lure in happy-go-lucky young folks with the promise of easy money, only to steal profits from them, hold their content over their heads as blackmail, or even in a few rare but horrific cases traffic and abuse them.  

"If somebody pulls you into this world without giving you a breakdown of the issues with it, they're likely not good people," cautions Maya, who knows creators who've been exploited. 

"This doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it," if you're interested in OnlyFans, DeVille notes. "Just go in with your eyes open." 

Confront the risks. Decide how to mitigate them and if you can live with them. Only commit if the benefits for you outweigh the risks. And if you're ready to put in some real, hard work. 

"But if you want an easy life," DeVille says, "keep your nine to five." 

Creators Cubbi Thompson and Rachel Steele also provided insights that informed this article. 

IN STOCK TODAY: Snag the DJI Neo three-battery combo at Amazon for $289 while it's still in stock.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo three-battery combo $289 at Amazon
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If you haven't heard, the U.S. might put a ban on DJI drones come December. Trade relation and security issues have put the future of DJI drones in the country at risk, and because of this threat, supply of DJI drones has pretty much dried up. They're sold out at DJI, Target, Best Buy, and other major retailers you'd expect to see them in-stock. But if you haven't given up, Amazon is your best bet today.

As of Aug. 13, the DJI Neo three-battery combo is in supply at Amazon for its list price of $289. This combo includes the DJI Neo drone, three batteries, propeller guards, and more accessories.

The DJI Neo is a super portable drone that records with a 4K UHD camera and comes with the convenience of palm takeoffs. It's also packed with other user-friendly features like stable subject tracking and voice control.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The three-battery combo means you're less likely to run into low-battery issues during a long day of recording. DJI mentions the Neo is the perfect drone for vlogging since it's easy to operate, carry, and store.

Before it flies out of stock again, snag the DJI Neo three-battery combo at Amazon. Keep in mind: it's in-stock via a third-party seller at Amazon. During normal times, Mashable doesn't support buying from third-party sellers. But we're no longer living in normal times, apparently, and the seller, AeroTech Hubs, has an overwhelmingly positive rating over the last year, so we're taking what we can get when it comes to DJI drones.

TL;DR: Lifetime access to this all-in-one AI tool just dropped from $648 to $38.97 for a limited time — no coupon is needed.

Opens in a new window Credit: AI Magicx AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Myst Plan) $38.97
$648 Save $609.03 Get Deal

AI is old news at this point, but you may still be a little left out of the craze. Not sure where to get started or where the best AI tools are? Don’t want to spend a ton of money? AI Magicx was designed for you. With a one-time payment, you get access to a single dashboard with AI tools for writing, images, code, chatbots, and more.

If you’re a beginner, it’s a fun and easy way to explore the AI world without adding any extra fees to your plate. For those who already know and love AI, an AI Magicx lifetime subscription can consolidate some of your other subscription fees into a single $38.97 payment (MSRP $648).

Explore AI (aka, the future)

With a single payment, you get lifelong access to over 75 powerful AI tools. Instead of hopping between platforms or paying separate subscription fees like everyone else, just open AI Magicx and do all of this in one place:

• AI Article & Story Generator: Instantly create compelling content for blogs, emails, and even storytelling. Need some quick SEO-friendly copy? This tool has you covered.

• Magicx Art Generator: Bring your ideas to life with high-resolution images in various styles, from 3D to fantasy art. Perfect for visual projects and social media.

• AI Logo Designer: Get a professional logo in seconds that’s customized to your specific vision and market.

• AI Magicx Coder: Write, analyze, and debug code with the help of AI.

• MCP-Chat: Need help with GitHub? This tool lets you manage your repositories and perform actions inside them with ease.

While there are some usage limits, like 75 messages/hour and 250 images/month, these caps are likely more than enough for most personal or professional needs. If you’re a power user, just consider it a nudge to keep things efficient.

Get an AI Magicx lifetime subscription on sale for $38.97 for a limited time (MSRP $648). No coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the Ember Mug 2 for just $69.99 (MSRP $129.95) with free shipping. Only 50 are available at this price, so get yours ASAP.

Opens in a new window Credit: ember Ember Mug 2: Temperature Control Smart Mug 10oz - Black (Open Box) $69.99
$129.95 Save $59.96 Get Deal

As someone who drinks coffee all day long, I’ve spent years trying to keep my drink at the perfect temperature. I’ve used insulated mugs, fancy travel cups, and even stuck my cup back in the microwave (bleh). After hearing me complain, friends and family have told me about Ember Mugs, but they were a little out of my price range — until I found this open-box deal.

These smart mugs keep drinks at the ideal temperature all day long with the coaster. And, simply because some customers decided to return theirs after opening the box (maybe they don’t like coffee as much as you and me), we can save 46% and get one for just $69.99 with free shipping (MSRP $129.95).

Why I’m never going back to regular mugs

Here’s how it works: The Ember smart mug uses smart heating to maintain your drink’s temperature, set between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal range for coffee or tea. You don’t have to worry about microwaving your drink every time it starts to cool down.

I didn’t realize just how crazy this technology was when I first started using it — isn’t it just like a heating pad for my drinks? No…

• A smart LED tells you when your drink is at the temperature you requested.

• It stays on when it detects liquid motion, and automatically shuts off when not in use.

• Sip away all day with the charging coaster, or 90 minutes while away.

Order your Ember Mug for $69.99 with free shipping before they’re sold out (MSRP $129.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Make full, studio-quality songs with vocals in seconds with lifetime access to Supermusic AI for just $39.97 (reg. $319) through September 7.

If you’ve ever thought you could totally write a hit song, but got stuck somewhere between humming a tune and actually recording it, your big break is here — and it fits in your pocket. Supermusic AI takes you from idea to studio-quality track with vocals in literal seconds, and right now, lifetime access is just $39.97 (MSRP: $319) through September 7.

Whether you want to drop a pop anthem, an EDM banger, a moody indie ballad, or a country hit about your truck or your beloved cat, this app can do it. Just type in your lyrics or a short prompt, and watch Supermusic AI craft a complete song — vocals and all — that sounds like it just came out of a recording booth.

And it’s not just about creation; it’s about connection. Upload your tracks, create playlists, and build your own artist profile so friends, followers, and even complete strangers can vibe to your work. You can explore other AI-powered songs in the community, follow your favorite creators, and maybe even climb the app’s leaderboards if your track goes viral.

Supermusic AI also supports multiple genres — pop, rock, rap, jazz, EDM, and beyond — so whether you’re looking to make something danceable, chill, funny, or heartbreakingly beautiful, it’s just a few taps away. And if you’ve got performance anxiety? No problem — the AI does all the singing for you, with vocals that sound impressively human.

So grab your phone (iOS or Android), skip the expensive gear, and start making music today. Just don’t be surprised if your next song becomes someone’s new favorite track.

Pick up lifetime access to Supermusic AI while it’s just $39.97 (MSRP: $319) through September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Supermusic Supermusic AI: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
$319 Save $279.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: The Retropian M22 handheld gaming device gives you 10,000+ retro games, TV-out, multiplayer, and a 64GB game-packed card for $74.97 (MSRP $129.99) — for a limited time.

Remember the thrill of blowing into a game cartridge and praying to the pixel gods that it would load? The Retropian M22 skips the ritual and jumps straight to the fun — with over 10,000 preloaded classics from NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, N64, and more. It’s basically the “Greatest Hits of Gaming” anthology, only you don’t need to keep it in a milk crate under your bed.

And, luckily enough, it’s on sale for just $74.97 (MSRP: $129.99) for a little while longer.

With a sharp 3.5″ IPS display, every sprite and pixel pops like you remember. Prefer the big screen? The M22’s TV-out feature turns your pocket console into a full-blown living room party. And yes, multiplayer is included — literally — thanks to the bonus wired controller in the box.

Six hours of battery life means it can power you through flights, road trips, or those suspiciously long “bathroom breaks” at work. The USB-C charging port keeps it modern, while the nostalgic game lineup keeps it classic. And the best part? You don’t have to choose between Mario, Sonic, Lara Croft, or Street Fighter — they’re all here, ready to go.

So whether you’re in it for the nostalgia hit, the portable fun, or the bragging rights of “owning every game ever,” the Retropian M22 is your all-in-one ticket to button-mashing bliss. No quarters, no downloads, just pure retro joy — anytime, anywhere.

Pick up the Retropian M22 for $74.97 while you can (MSRP: $129.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retropian Retropian M22 Retro Handheld Gaming Console $74.99
$129.99 Save $55.00 Get Deal

In 2020, fans of Tom Hooper's much-maligned Cats clamored for the "butthole cut" of the film, one where the cats' CGI buttholes were fully on display. Big names like Rian Johnson and Seth Rogen got in on the movement to #ReleaseTheButtholeCut. Members of Cats' VFX team even confirmed the cut's existence in anonymous interviews — although one source claimed that any resemblance to genitalia and buttholes was an accident due to suspicious folding in the simulated cat fur and skin.

After all that uproar, Cats' butthole cut remains unreleased. But for anyone who still yearns for it, a new project has come to fill the hole left by Cats' biggest missed opportunity. That project is Genndy Tartakovsky's Fixed, a 2D animated comedy full of more animal butts and balls than any Cats butthole cut truther could have ever dreamed of.

SEE ALSO: 'Fixed' red band trailer: Animated dog comedy is so NSFW, you have to see it to believe it Fixed is a gleefully NSFW animal adventure. There's a lot of humping in this movie. Credit: Netflix

You may know Tartakovsky for his work on Cartoon Network shows like Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, or Star Wars: Clone Wars; or for his Hotel Transylvania film series. While those projects resonate with younger and older audiences alike, with Fixed, the animation legend is specifically aiming for older audiences.

The film centers on a mutt named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine), whose hobbies include hanging out at the dog park and humping the hell out of his human Nana's leg. When he learns that his owners plan to neuter him the very next day, Bull panics and decides to spend one last crazy night out on the town with his friends (and his balls).

Let's talk about those balls for a second, because Tartakovsky doesn't leave them to the imagination. Bull's testicles are always visible, and always bouncing around — a reminder of what he's going to lose in the morning. Also on display is every dog's (and the occasional cat's) butthole. And look, if you can't handle these 2D renderings of balls and butts, like the many outraged YouTube commenters under Fixed's trailer, then there's no way in the world you were ever ready for the Cats butthole cut! Don't ask for something you can't take, internet!

SEE ALSO: 'Haunted Hotel' trailer: Meet a crew of ghostly guests in Netflix's animated sitcom

In all seriousness, the animal genitals of Fixed definitely start out as shocking. Tartakovsky aims for this, cutting from a sweet vignette of Bull's adoption day to his horned-up destruction of his house. But soon, they're just anatomy, elements of every character's design along with their floppy dog ears and snouts.

That doesn't mean Fixed loses its shock factor. The film is wildly crass throughout, upping the ante with scatological humor reminiscent of Pink Flamingos, talking balls, and quite a bit of dog sex. Some of these gags are inspired, like the film's interpretation of what a dog sex club would look like. Others, like the aforementioned dog sex, move past crass to pure discomfort. Overall, though, the film remains steadfast in its portrayal of a simple truth: Dogs are gross. I love them, and I'm happy to cuddle them, but they're also pretty darn disgusting.

For a movie about a dog and his balls, Fixed is oddly sweet. Romance, but make it "Fixed." Credit: Netflix

As in-your-face as Fixed can be, the film is more than just its shock factor. The animation, for starters, is delightfully nostalgic, calling to mind Looney Tunes cartoons, or even beloved animated dog movies like One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Fixed even comes with its own Lady and the Tramp-style romance, one between Bull and his Afghan hound neighbor, Honey (voiced by Kathryn Hahn). Bull, intimidated by Honey's purebred nature, doesn't think he's worthy of her, even though she clearly has feelings for him. Much of Bull's quest in the film involves him trying to confess his feelings, making for a cute storyline that still comes with its fair share of raunch.

Hahn and DeVine are two key parts of Fixed's game voice cast, which also includes Idris Elba, Fred Armisen, and Bobby Moynihan as Bull's trusted crew of friends. (All are great, but Elba's tough-as-nails delivery of Fixed's crass dialogue is downright hysterical.) That crew of friends becomes the glue of the movie, as they're ride-or-die for Bull as he confronts his neutering. But as the film progresses, they also help him to realize that maybe his balls aren't the only thing that defines him. It's an earnest, sweet message in a purposefully crude package, and one that leaves room for more character development and self-discovery than Fixed's initial premise may have you think.

The core friendship dynamic has been part of Fixed since Tartakovsky first conceived of the film — then a broader animal road trip comedy named Buds — back in 2009. Since then, the movie has been in and out of development hell, with Warner Bros. and New Line dropping it in 2024, leaving Tartakovsky and Sony Pictures Animation to find a new distributor.

While Fixed was never canceled outright in the vein of other dropped Warner Bros. projects like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme, the fact that it was in jeopardy and still got released is deserving of a victory lap. It's an original, R-rated, 2D animated film, a kind of project that we don't see too frequently.

So even if the film's gross-out comedy isn't what I'd tend to gravitate toward, I'm more than happy that Fixed exists, and that its blend of brazen crassness and surprising sweetness finally gets its day in the sun.

Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.

SAVE $500: As of Aug. 13, the LG C5 OLED TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG C5 OLED TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $500 Get Deal

Amazon has got some great TV deals live right now, but this latest discount on the LG C5 OLED TV stands out from the crowd. As of Aug. 13, it's now priced at $1,299.99. That's its lowest-ever price, so if you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this is the perfect excuse to do so.

And this really is a great TV, especially for the price. It has millions of self-lit pixels, so you get deep blacks, vibrant colors, and incredible detail, no matter what you're watching. Seriously, your late-night film watch just got so much better. It also has a Brightness Booster to keep things clear and sharp. And the glare-free design is perfect for daytime, sunny watching. No more squinting to see what's happening.

SEE ALSO: The Roku Streambar SE is the perfect 2-in-1 upgrade for your bedroom TV, and it's just $79

Meanwhile, the Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen8 quietly works in the background, making everything you watch smoother and sharper, whether it’s a movie, live sport, or your comfort show on repeat. And if you’re a gamer, the lightning-fast response time, high refresh rates, and multiple HDMI 2.1 ports make it easy to plug in and play without lag. And the Game Dashboard gives you easy access to controls and settings.

This TV is just as good for weekend gaming marathons as it is for movie nights. Get it from Amazon at this new low price now.

SAVE $76: As of Aug. 13, the SKYROVER X1 drone is on sale for $682.20 at Amazon. That's a 10% saving on the list price, and the lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: SKYROVER SKYROVER X1 drone $682.20 at Amazon
$758 Save $75.80 Get Deal

With the threat of a Chinese-made drone ban hanging over the U.S., popular models are already selling out in anticipation. But all is not lost, because you can still secure discounts on some of the best alternatives.

As of Aug. 13, the SKYROVER X1 drone is available for its lowest-ever price on Amazon. Right now, you can purchase this popular drone for $682.20, a saving of over $70 on list price.

SEE ALSO: The next big robot vacuum drop on our radar is from DJI — yes, DJI as in drones

But why this model? Well, it can snap vibrant 8K photos and record smooth 4K/60fps HDR video, with features like 360° obstacle sensing to help avoid crashes and a 50,000ft transmission range for stable live feeds, even in busy city spots where signal often drops. Super Night Mode also makes sure your low-light shots are clear and detailed, while smart tracking and a built-in spotlight make filming moving subjects much easier.

Battery-wise, you'll get up to 32 minutes of flight time on a single battery.

Get it from Amazon before this record-low deal runs out.

SAVE $37: As of Aug. 13, the Kindle Paperwhite (refurbished) is on sale for $106.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 26% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite (Refurbished) $106.99 at Amazon
$143.99 Save $37.00 Get Deal

Book lovers, this is a deal for you. Amazon has a fantastic discount on a refurbished Kindle Paperwhite, saving you over $30 on list price.

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SEE ALSO: Stuff Your Kindle Day is live until Aug. 16 — download 100s of free historical fiction and contemporary books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 13, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Out of the park

• Green: Same second word

• Blue: Famous professional athletes

• Purple: Famous soon-to-be professional athletes

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: Slang for home run

• Green: "-up" exercises

• Blue: Tennis players to achieve career Grand Slam

• Purple: Lottery picks in 2025 NBA Draft

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 #324 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Slang for home run - BIG FLY, DINGER, JACK, TATER

• "-up" exercises - CHIN, PULL, PUSH, SIT

• Tennis players to achieve career Grand Slam - GRAF, KING, LAVER, NADAL

• Lottery picks in 2025 NBA Draft - EDGECOMBE, FEARS, FLAGG, QUEEN

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

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

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

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, August 13, 2025:

AcrossSailboat's post

• The answer is Mast.

"My ___ car is a ..." (bumper sticker phrase)

• The answer is Other.

Official state mammal of Alaska and Maine

• The answer is Moose.

T-shirt size

• The answer is Small.

Defeat, as a dragon

• The answer is Slay.

DownStory time readers, perhaps

• The answer is Moms.

There are roughly ten million billion (10^16) of these in a grain of salt

• The answer is Atoms.

Sandbank

• The answer is Shoal.

Automaker named after an inventor

• The answer is Tesla.

Count (on)

• The answer is Rely.

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

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

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

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

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With each day we move through the lunar cycle, the moon becomes less and less visible.

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. 13?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Aug. 13, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 79% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Tonight is the second night of the Perseids Meteor Shower peak. The moonlight may dim some of the meteors, but some should still cut through the light as the celestial event flashes through our skies.

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

With binoculars, you can add the Clavius Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Frigoris to your list. And add a telescope to see the Apollo 11, the Rima Ariadaeus, and the Linne Crater.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream PSG vs. Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Domestic leagues around Europe are set to kick off next week, but first there's the UEFA Super Cup. The Champions League winners face off against the Europa League champions in a showpiece event in Udine, Italy. We're expecting a really entertaining game between two strong sides.

If you want to watch PSG vs. Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is PSG vs. Tottenham?

PSG vs. Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Aug. 13. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Friuli.

How to watch PSG vs. Tottenham for free

PSG vs. Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

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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:

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Now, think of the happiest things, it's the same as having wings, but it won't save you from a Xenomorph in Alien: Earth.

Noah Hawley's Alien TV series holds J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan close to its heart, as the primary thematic impetus behind trillionaire Boy Kavalier's (Samuel Blenkin's) revolutionary hybrid project. And because I'm like this, I've rounded up all the references to Peter Pan you'll encounter in the first two episodes of Alien: Earth.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat Prodigy's Neverland research facility Children never grow up in Neverland. Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

Boy Kavalier's secret island research lab is dubbed Neverland, after the fantastical world of Peter Pan. The world where children never grow up, Neverland is an apt name for the Prodigy facility where hybrids are made — the consciousness of terminally ill children implanted into synthetic bodies. They quite literally will never grow up.

The Lost Boys Gang's all here. Credit: FX

Not able to keep their own human names due to being part of a classified project, the hybrids are renamed for the characters from Peter Pan. Marcy (Sydney Chandler) takes on the moniker of Wendy, named for the matriarch of the group. As for the rest, they all take on the names of the Lost Boys, Peter Pan's gang of kid runaways: Tootles (Kit Young), Slightly (Adarsh Gourav), Curly (Erana James), and Nibs (Lily Newmark). The only one of the Lost Boys to have the name of a pirate from the story is Smee (Jonathan Ajayi), the villainous Captain Hook's boatswain. Leading them all is Boy Kavalier, who fancies himself quite the Peter Pan.

Disney's Peter Pan Think of the happiest things... Credit: Disney / RKO / Shutterstock

In the lab where hybrids are made, Boy Kavalier plays Disney's 1953 film Peter Pan during the procedure that transfers their consciousness from their human bodies to their synthetic bodies. You can see in episode 1, they're playing the scene in which Peter Pan teaches Wendy, John, and Michael to fly, whisking them all off to Neverland.

Boy Kavalier's nightly bedtime stories "...tidying up her children's minds..." Credit: FX

Each night, Boy Kavalier reads a bedtime story over the Neverland speakers to the Lost Boys, though through Blenkin's performance, the tale takes on a more sinister tone in the world of Alien: Earth.

In episode 1, he reads passages from Barrie's 1911 novel, Peter and Wendy (otherwise known as Peter Pan), all of which fittingly — and forebodingly — speak to the "tidying" of children's minds and the nature of Neverland, the namesake of the research facility:

From Chapter 1:

Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight.

When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on.

From Chapter 4:

In the old days at home the Neverland had always begun to look a little dark and threatening by bedtime. Then unexplored patches arose in it and spread, black shadows moved about in them, the roar of the beasts of prey was quite different now, and above all, you lost the certainty that you would win.

There'll be plenty more where that came from, we're sure, so we'll be updating this post as Alien: Earth episodes drop.

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX with two episodes, then weekly on Tuesdays.

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

Related to the sun.

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

SOLAR

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A sheet of paper.

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

FOLIO

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To rub.

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

CHAFE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A customer.

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

PAYER

Final Hurdle hint

Value.

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

WORTH

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

When I caught a glimpse of an orange cat in Alien: Earth's first episode, I thought, "What a precious Easter egg!"

The cat appears during the show's extended opening sequence onboard the Weyland-Yutani deep space research vessel Maginot. The whole sequence pays tribute to Alien, capturing the crew dynamics and atmosphere of Ridley Scott's film. Alien: Earth's cat is just another part of that sequence, echoing the role Jonesy the cat played on the Nostromo in the original film.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat

Anyone who's seen Alien knows that Jonesy is the film's fuzzy MVP. One of the film's two survivors, alongs with eternal badass Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), he's the only Alien character who could hiss at a Xenomorph and somehow get away unscathed.

Because Jonesy is such an Alien icon, seeing his doppelgänger pop up in Alien: Earth feels like a sweet piece of fan service. I saw it as series creator Noah Hawley gesturing out to one of the most beloved elements of the franchise, and I believed that, just like Jonesy, no harm would befall the Maginot's cat.

How wrong I was.

In Alien: Earth's first episode, the Maginot crash lands on Earth, which certainly does not bode well for anyone onboard — including sweet cats! However, perishing in a crash landing would be infinitely better than what actually happens to the Maginot's cat.

SEE ALSO: The coolest tech of the 'Alien' universe, from medpods to X-ray torches

Viewers discover the cat's fate in episode 2, when Prodigy Corporation's team of hybrids explores the Maginot wreckage. There, they discover the Maginot's lab, where a familiar feline lurches into view. His meows are gurgled, his fur is caked in blood, and his back paws drag awkwardly behind his body.

The image is horrifying in itself, but any cat owner who's ever shepherded their pet through a medical emergency will feel an extra layer of dread. Aspects of the cat's movement and vocalizations reminded me of my own experience caring for my ill cat. Trust me when I say, from one former cat owner to the many cat owners out there who watch this show, that it's more than okay to take a break here.

Especially since the scene only gets worse.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth': Did you catch series creator Noah Hawley's sneaky cameo?

The Maginot's cat turns his head and reveals that one of his eyes is unnaturally large. That's because it's not actually its original eye — it's the creature known as T. Ocellus, a parasitic eyeball-octopus hybrid that replaces its hosts' eyes and takes over their brains.

T. Ocellus, recognizing the hybrids as being more advanced hosts, exits the cat's skull in a flood of tentacles and gore, leaving the poor animal well and truly dead. Justice for the Maginot cat!

The sequence doesn't even last a minute, yet it's among Alien: Earth's most disturbing. Obviously, as a cat lover, I'm inclined to be extra scared. But the frights here go beyond the blood and brain matter.

So much of the horror around the Xenomorph is tied to the primal fear of losing bodily autonomy. In the Xenomorph's case, hosts become unwilling parents, "birthing" the chestbursters into the world. T. Ocellus, on the other hand, moves away from reproductive anxieties and instead introduces the fear of having your very movement (really, all your brain functions) being co-opted by some outside force. It's a nightmare, pure and simple, and rendered extra effectively thanks to the death of the Maginot's cat in particular.

Anyone who's watched Alien knows the fear of thinking Jonesy will die, and the overwhelming relief when he survives. Hawley plays with these expectations coming into Alien: Earth, luring us into a false sense of security about the Maginot's cat.

"Surely this is just an Easter egg and won't come to anything," you might think, as I did. "Surely the cat will follow in Jonesy's footsteps and be fine!"

Not in Hawley's house of horrors! He makes an upsetting example of the poor cat, demonstrating both the terror of T. Ocellus and a chilling truth about Alien: Earth. Going forward, no one is safe.

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes premiering Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.

Alien: Earth boasts a stacked cast, from Timothy Olyphant as synthetic Kirsh to Sydney Chandler as human-AI hybrid Wendy. But the show welcomes another surprising performer to the fold: series creator Noah Hawley.

Hawley, who's also created series like Fargo and Legion, makes his acting debut in Alien: Earth's first episode, titled "Neverland." He plays Wendy and Joe's (Alex Lawther) father in brief flashbacks.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat

However, Hawley isn't the only member of his family to star in Alien: Earth. His 12-year-old son, Lev Hawley, plays young Joe in the flashbacks. Like his father, Alien: Earth marks Lev Hawley's acting debut — and his presence in the show is the reason Noah Hawley ended up in front of the camera.

In May, Hawley told Deadline that his son had asked whether there was a role he could play in the show.

"I thought, 'Okay, well, he could play Alex [Lawther] at a young age, but then what am I going to do?' Cast some day players to come in, when [Lev] has never acted before? I figured it would be easier if I did it," Hawley said to Deadline. "I get down on the floor with him and improvise, and I can make him relax. It felt like the best way to direct him."

He continued: "There's something nice and metaphorical about being my lead actor's parent."

However, the Hawley family appearance in Alien: Earth may just turn out to be a one-time thing. Hawley warned Deadline, "Don't look out for a lot of me in the show."

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes premiering Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.