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The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you know your logos.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Patterned

• Green: Thought-related

• Blue: Drawing essentials

• Purple: Similar shapes

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Black-and-yellow

• Green: Places where everyone thinks the same ways

• Blue: Comic book artist's tools

• Purple: Triangle logos

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 #1160 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Black-and-yellow: BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN, WOLVERINE

• Places where everyone thinks the same ways: BUBBLE, ECHO CHAMBER, HIVEMIND, SILO

• Comic book artist's tools: BRISTOL BOARD, DIP PEN, INDIA INK, STRAIGHTEDGE

• Triangle logos: BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIRLINES, GOOGLE DRIVE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 13, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like geology.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 14, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 13, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Often seen inside rocks.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GEODE

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Wordle.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know a bit of trivia.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Discovered by accident

The words are related to popular discoveries.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe invented items.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Inventions.

NYT Strands word list for August 14

• Penicillin

• Slinky

• Inventions

• Plastic

• Microwave

• Velcro

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Officials in Acton, Massachusetts, say a teenager charged with killing two members of his family was using generative AI chatbot ChatGPT to explore violent scenarios prior to the murders.

Arjun Aravind, 17, is accused of killing his 45-year-old mother, Sudha Venkatesan, and 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind, this week. The boy's father was not home when the murders took place.

Arjun Aravind was located by police in nearby Wayland, Massachusetts, on Wednesday morning and taken into custody without incident. 

SEE ALSO: Teens talking to Meta AI about suicide will trigger alert

Speaking to reporters following Aravind’s arrest, Middlesex County DA Marian Ryan made a point of highlighting Arjun Aravind's internet use, saying the teen created violent scenarios on ChatGPT and masked it as fantasy fiction.

"The investigation has so far shown that Arjun had recently been demonstrating some concerning behavior, including using the internet and ChatGPT to make searches for theoretical ideas or fantasy stories regarding the killing of his family," Ryan said, according to an NBC News report.

"He was engaged in the use of ChatGPT in creating fantasy stories, kind of the gothic novel kind of stories, asking questions, creating characters, asking what about this if this happened to that, and they seem to appear to relate to threats to his family."

Mashable's request for comment from OpenAI, the San Francisco company behind ChatGPT, was not returned as of press time.

While numerous parents have accused chatbots of playing a role in young people harming themselves, some prosecutors are now pointing the finger at AI companies for allegedly abetting crimes. Earlier this year, Florida man Hisham Abugharbieh was accused of killing two college students and using ChatGPT to inquire about disposing of the bodies.

OpenAI announced an update in December that purportedly puts "teen safety first" for underage users of ChatGPT. The company stated that it had refined its Model Spec, which guides how OpenAI's AI models should behave, and put a new set of principles in place for how it chatbot responds in high-stakes situations involving users under 18.

A report released in March from the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that eight out of 10 popular AI chatbots helped researchers posing as teen boys plan violent crimes in over half of the responses. 

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI's Chief Revenue Officer announced today that she is leaving the AI giant.

"I wanted to let you know that I made the difficult decision to leave OpenAI in the coming weeks to pursue other opportunities," said Denise Dresser, the now-former OpenAI CRO, in a post shared to her LinkedIn. "I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together and deeply grateful to the extraordinary people and customers who made this chapter so meaningful."

On its own, Dresser's departure may not be so noteworthy. However, what is notable is that Dresser is the second OpenAI executive to leave the company just this week, and one of several to leave the company within the last few months.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI employees can apparently complain directly to Sam Altman

Two days ago, OpenAI executive Brad Lightcap also announced his departure from OpenAI. Over his years with the company, Lightcap wore many hats. Lightcap was promoted to OpenAI's COO role in April but later shifted out of that position to lead special projects within the company.

“Over the last few months, I’ve been focused on the next horizon,” Lightcap said in a note to OpenAI employees, as reported by Bloomberg. “I believe there are a few important things the world will need to get right as we enter this next period. I’ll have more to share soon.”

Just one month ago, OpenAI lost its number two executive, Fidji Simo. Simo had gone on medical leave months earlier and said she ultimately decided to leave in July as a result of ongoing health issues. Perhaps Simo would have stayed with the company if not for these circumstances. 

SEE ALSO: OpenAI’s first brand trip puts influencers in the hot seat

However, Simo wasn't the only high-profile OpenAI employee to leave in July either. That very same month, OpenAI head ethicist Chloé Bakalar departed the company as well. While Bakalar's departure apparently occurred last month, it was only recently revealed in a Financial Times report.

The tenures of the departing executives vary widely: Lightcap had been at the company since 2018, while Dresser leaving after just nine months.

Are these OpenAI departures a sign of something more concerning going on within the company? OpenAI has dealt with multiple high-profile departures at once before. For example, chief marketing officer Kate Rouch left in April of this year, shortly before OpenAI lost two research heads Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles.

With that said, these recent departures are certainly something to keep tabs on. Concerns surrounding OpenAI's safety protocols are at all-time highs following a few high-profile security incidents. Is this really the best time for OpenAI to lose Bakalar, who was reportedly its only dedicated ethicist?

SEE ALSO: The OpenAI-Hugging Face hack was worse than we thought

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has recently been going on about how the company is on the cusp of bringing a kind of digital superintelligence once confined to science fiction novels to reality. Would these executives not want to be with OpenAI for this achievement?

As of now, the departing former OpenAI executives haven't shared exactly what spurred their decisions to leave the company or why they chose this particular moment. Perhaps we'll find out more soon enough. 

SAVE $130: As of Aug. 13, the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch 5 bundle is on sale for $1,168.99 at Amazon. That's a 10% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 11 + Pixel Watch 5 $1,168.99
$1,298.99 Save $130   Get Deal

Looking to do a full overhaul of your personal tech? Well, this new Google bundle deal saves you $130 on a new phone and smartwatch. As of Aug. 13, you can get the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch 5 for $130 less.

If you order the new Google Pixel 11 any time between Aug. 12-27, you'll get $130 off the Pixel Watch 5, while supplies last and subject to availability. Just be aware that if you return the Pixel 11 without the Pixel Watch 5, you’ll be charged for the discount you received.

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These are two of Google’s latest devices revealed at the Made By Google event, both of which are currently available to preorder ahead of their Aug. 20 release.

The Pixel 11 will feature an upgraded 30x Super Zoom camera, Night Sight for clearer low-light shots, and a battery life of over 30 hours. Plus, wireless charging has been upgraded to be 25% faster. Design-wise, it has a smooth matte back, a polished frame, and a slim camera bar, along with ultra-durable glass and IP68 water and dust protection.

Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 5 features advanced sensors that deliver impressive health and wellness metrics, including Google’s most accurate heart rate tracking. You'll also get sleep tracking, pulse loss detection, and a morning brief feature. And this is all packaged in a domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass.

With just a week to go until these products are released, head to Amazon to secure this preorder deal now.

TL;DR: Pay $32.97 once for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more on one Windows PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $32.97
$219.99 Save $187.02   Get Deal

Ditch Microsoft 365’s subscription fees for good. You can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for much less than its usual retail price. Simply pay once, download the full software suite, and never worry about renewals again.

We know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, this isn’t some stripped-down lite version either. It’s the real deal. Whether you’re writing reports, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing emails, or wrangling databases, the lifetime version of Microsoft Office has you covered.

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It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. The full pro-level toolkit, minus the stress of a subscription. Plus, with instant license delivery and free customer support, getting started is as painless as your new spreadsheet workflow.

No more “trial expired” pop-ups. No more surprise charges. Just the latest versions of Microsoft’s best apps, ready to support all of your work and personal needs.

Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $32.97 until Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $219.99). No coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The BlockChance Bitcoin Ticket Super Miner lets you participate in real solo Bitcoin mining with a quiet, plug-and-play desktop device for $49.99 (reg. $99.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: BlockChance BlockChance Bitcoin Ticket Super Miner (Black) $49.99
$99.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

You don’t need a room full of noisy hardware — or a stress-inducing electricity bill — to see how Bitcoin mining works. The BlockChance Bitcoin Ticket Super Miner is available for $49.99 (reg. $99.99) and offers an approachable way to participate in real solo Bitcoin mining from your desk.

This compact miner delivers up to 1,060 KH/s of hashing power, connects directly to WiFi, and runs independently without a dedicated computer. A built-in 1.54-inch display lets you monitor hashrate and mining activity in real-time, while Bluetooth support and over-the-air firmware updates keep setup and maintenance straightforward.

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The important thing to understand is that this is not a replacement for a commercial mining rig. Instead, it works more like a lottery ticket backed by real mining activity. The device continuously submits legitimate solo mining attempts for a chance — however small — of discovering an entire Bitcoin block reward.

The odds are long, and buyers should view it as a learning experience and an entertaining hobby rather than a predictable way to earn Bitcoin.

That said, it has genuine appeal for crypto enthusiasts, developers, engineers, and anyone curious about how the Bitcoin network operates behind the scenes. It runs quietly, uses very little power, and makes an interesting addition to a home office or workspace.

If you’ve been curious about Bitcoin mining but couldn’t justify spending thousands on specialized equipment, $49.99 is a relatively inexpensive way to explore the technology firsthand.

Get this BlockChance Bitcoin Ticket Super Miner for $49.99 (reg. $99.99) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $80.01: The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus portable speaker is on sale at Amazon for $169.98, down from the normal price of $249.99. That's a 32% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Boom 2 Plus $169.98 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80.01   Get Deal

Summer 2026 is coming to a close. If you have a few gatherings left on the calendar, it's time to make them epic. The right playlist is essential for the end-of-summer parties, and Soundcore wants an invite. Check out this portable speaker deal.

As of Aug. 13, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus portable speaker is on sale at Amazon for $169.98, down from the normal price of $249.99. That's a 32% discount.

An outdoor-worthy speaker has a checklist of requirements. It needs to be waterproof and have a durable exterior, and earn high marks for portability. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is up for tagging along on poolside afternoons or a sunset beach excursion. It's not only waterproof, but it also floats. The included carrying strap makes it easy to pack along on any adventure, and it can get up to 20 hours of playtime before it needs a recharge.

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel Buds 2a are down at their best-ever price at Amazon — they're yours for $99

Soundcore mentions that this model can reach up to 103 decibels and is equipped with the brand's BassUp 2.0 technology for deep beats. With a 30W charger, the speaker can get a full charge in just three hours.

In addition to these features, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus can recharge small devices such as phones and earbuds.

Since this is a limited-time deal and summer days are running out, make the upgrade to the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus speaker. It's the perfect party and beach companion.

In a first for the United States, the White House is looking to build an army of private hackers to combat cyberattacks.

Outlined in a new presidential memoranda issued Aug. 12, the Trump administration will begin contracting out efforts to curb the actions of transnational criminal organizations (or TCOs) to American businesses.

"American businesses’ innovative capabilities have historically been underutilized in efforts to identify and disrupt criminal networks operating in cyberspace," the order reads. "It is the policy of the United States to use all instruments of national power, including the innovative capabilities of the private sector, to combat cybercrime."

SEE ALSO: Flock backpedals as nation revolts against surveillance devices

The new program will be overseen by Trump's National Coordination Center (NCC). The center, in coordination with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, will vet and authorize businesses to conduct cyber surveillance and effects operations, the White House explains.

These "private sector entities" will the enter contractual agreements with the federal government, granting them access to relevant information from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to pinpoint threats and propose offensive efforts. The businesses would be on the lookout for TCO networks involved in distributing ransomware, launching phishing attacks, and enabling financial fraud or sextortion.

Prior to the new memoranda, the U.S. government barred private companies from conducting cyber offenses without court approval. Private hacking operations will still need to abide by the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act which forbids retaliatory hacking, also known as "hacking back," the White House made clear. Federal agencies will also need to sign off on operations before they can proceed. The NCC has 60 days to establish procedures for the new program.

The notice is an expansion of a March 6 Executive Order titled "Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens," which directed federal agencies and resources to more aggressively intervene in escalating cybercrime attacks against Americans. In the months since, private companies have announced their own cyber offense programs, including a new "disruption unit" out of Google.

Conservative leaders have previously floated reauthorizing “letters of marque" related to cybercriminals. Under old maritime law, letters of marque allowed private mercenaries to attack and capture enemy ships on behalf of the government. Critics of private cyber offensive proposals have worried that such offensives could have rippling legal and diplomatic ramifications.

Instagram has a new logo. Well, sort of.

The familiar gradient camera icon on your phone isn’t going anywhere. Instead, Instagram has redesigned the handwritten wordmark that appears at the top of the app, giving it its first update in a decade.

View this post on Instagram

"The wordmark at the top of the app hasn’t changed in 10 years, so it was time for a refresh," Instagram head Adam Mosseri wrote in a post on Aug. 13. He described the new version as "cleaner and more modern," while preserving references to Instagram’s original design.

Instagram says its team explored hundreds of options, including all-caps lettering, camera-inspired concepts, and literal handwriting, before returning to a script design.

"Script reflects individuality, so referencing that felt right," Instagram director of product design Jasmine Probst said in Meta’s announcement. "The new wordmark is bolder and simpler, with touches of unexpectedness. It cues individual expression, a personal voice, both of which have always been core to Instagram," she adds.

The wordmark is part of a broader brand refresh that includes an updated Instagram Sans typeface and two new fonts: the hand-drawn Instagram Pen and Instagram Mono. Users will also eventually see refreshed motion, layouts, and more restrained use of Instagram’s signature gradient. It is rolling out globally now, with the rest of the changes coming throughout 2026 and beyond.

Naturally, the internet had opinions. Some kinder than others.

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Others struggled to see much of a difference between the old and new designs, leaving them to question why Instagram felt a refresh was necessary at all.

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The new wordmark keeps Instagram’s handwritten style but combines cursive and print lettering, with some letters connected and others floating on their own. But its unusually shaped “s” and “r” have led some online to conclude that it actually says "Instagzam." I can see it.

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In the r/logodesign Reddit thread, one user described the wordmark as looking “fan-made,” like a logo created in Canva. Another called it “an unsettling mix of manuscript and cursive,” while someone else neatly summarized the redesign as a "sidegrade" — or, more accurately, a "zidegrade."

The response wasn’t entirely negative. Some in the subreddit called the half-cursive design stylish and surprisingly readable, while others said it was an improvement over Instagram’s previous wordmark. One commenter argued that Instagram was simply following the minimalist branding trend later than everyone else.

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In one day, Instagram now has given us a refreshed identity, three updated fonts, and, apparently, an unofficial new pronunciation.

It seems that we're still trying to crack the code with Gen Z and love, whether finding that they want deeper connections (while using AI), or that they perform during sex — even solo sex. But the Hily dating app has found a new "rule," of sorts: No swimwear, bikini, or shirtless photos on dating profiles after summer ends. Unless you want to appear desperate, that is.

A Hily survey of 5,900 U.S. Gen Z and millennial daters found that 28 percent of Gen Z women and 34 percent of Gen Z men believe these kinds of shots are only acceptable during the summer.

SEE ALSO: Hookup apps without AI features

Most young women (72 percent) and men (56 percent) have never posted these kinds of pics on dating apps, and it might be because one in three of Gen Z overall believes it's a sign of desperation. Around one in five Gen Z women and one in ten Gen Z men believe they shouldn't even be on dating apps, and it makes some of them (30 percent of women and 14 percent of men) less likely to "like." The internet undoubtedly shaped Gen Z's relationship to sex and dating, and one suspected impact is the fear of coming off as cringe.

Not everyone thinks this way about swimwear and shirtless pics, though. Around half of Gen Z (47 percent of women and 52 percent of men) think these photos could help them make a better-informed decision on whether they like the person or not. The majority (62 percent of women and 74 percent of men) see them as a sign of confidence. So if you want to, go ahead. You can even wear white if you want.

Say "goodbye" to Mico and a handful of AI tools, Microsoft Copilot users.

According to new Microsoft support documents, the tech giant is making major changes to its AI assistant, Copilot.

The biggest change to Copilot is that it will no longer exist as separate apps for consumer and business use. Microsoft will merge both the consumer Copilot app and the business-oriented Microsoft 365 Copilot app into a single application.

During this process, Microsoft is also killing off some lesser-used features, including Mico, its animated Clippy-like Copilot mascot. Mico is a blob-like animated character who currently lives in Copilot as an AI companion. 

According to Microsoft, Mico will be removed as part of a wave of Copilot updates rolling out to users throughout August. While Microsoft is killing Mico off in Copilot, the company says Mico will have a new home on a much less-used Microsoft platform, Learn Live, where the character will work as a tutor for users.

But Mico isn't the only Copilot element that Microsoft is ditching.

Microsoft is also removing Copilot's Group Chat, Podcasts, Deep Research, and experimental Copilot Labs features.

Group Chats are a Copilot feature that allows multiple users to collaborate in a single Copilot AI chat. The Podcast feature enabled users to create AI-generated podcasts based on web interests and documents. Deep Research is a feature Microsoft dubbed a personal research assistant for creating detailed reports. Copilot Labs provided Copilot users with access to early-stage features.

According to Microsoft, these four AI features will sunset on Aug. 18. All related generated content will also be removed. So, if a user has group chats or podcasts that they'd like to save, they need to export the content by that date.

Microsoft says it's making these changes to Copilot to "create a simpler, more cohesive experience for everyone."

However, a report from The Information late last year revealed more pressing problems with Microsoft's suite of AI tools. The company had significantly reduced AI-related sales targets as Copilot increasingly lost market share to AI tools from companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

Siri may soon be (finally) able to tell you more about what is happening in the world right now, but Apple could have to pay publishers a lot of money to make that happen.

According to an Aug. 12 report by the Wall Street Journal, Apple has approached several news publishers in recent months about giving its forthcoming Siri AI assistant access to their content. The proposed multiyear deals would help Siri answer questions about current events and other information that changes in real time.

Apple has reportedly discussed setting aside a nine-figure budget for the partnerships. Its proposed payment structure would compensate publishers whenever their reporting is used, according to the Journal. That differs from many existing AI licensing deals, which typically pay publishers a guaranteed fee in exchange for broader access to their content.

It is unclear which publishers Apple has contacted or whether any agreements have been finalized. Apple declined to comment to the Journal.

The negotiations come as Apple prepares to roll out a significantly upgraded version of Siri. Siri AI is expected to enter beta later this year, with new capabilities that allow the assistant to understand personal context, recognize what is on a user’s screen, and complete actions across apps.

Apple already has established relationships with publishers through Apple News+, its paid news subscription service that launched in 2019. The company has also previously paid for access to content through deals that included the right to use publishers’ work for AI training, the Journal reported.

Apple has also already learned how quickly AI-generated news can go wrong. In late 2024, the company began offering AI-generated notification summaries that sometimes rewrote news alerts inaccurately. Apple eventually disabled the feature for news and entertainment apps following complaints from publishers.

The latest talks arrive as news organizations decide how, or whether, to work with the companies building AI products. Publishers, including News Corp and Axel Springer, have signed content deals with OpenAI, while The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft over the alleged unauthorized use of its reporting.

For publishers, Apple’s proposed pay-per-use system would offer another way to make money from the AI products increasingly answering questions that once sent readers directly to news websites. For Apple, it could help ensure that when users ask Siri what is happening right now, the assistant finally has a useful answer.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Controversial surveillance technology company Flock Safety has unveiled sweeping new privacy "guardrails," seemingly intended to quell growing unrest over its devices' presence across the country.

Days prior, CEO Garrett Langley went on a media run to convince the public that the company was not the latest cog in a dystopian surveillance state, but rather a purveyor of public safety. "We’re not Big Brother," said CEO Garrett Langley. "We’re focused on protecting people."

SEE ALSO: This map shows how many Flock cameras are in your neighborhood

But many still wonder, if it looks like Big Brother, and it talks like Big Brother...

What is Flock's new privacy policy?

Under the new policy, Flock will be adjusting its default data retention period from a 30 days to seven. Prior to this, Flock systems were automatically set to store an individual's registration and location information for a full month, but this can still be changed to longer or shorter periods according to state and local policy. The ACLU has previously recommended that data retention defaults be set to 48 hours.

In addition, Flock will now require law enforcement agencies to use a case code that delineates a potential offense before searching the Flock database. Previously, this was an optional setting for Flock clients, and dozens of law enforcement officers have been accused of using the database to stalk and harass individuals. The company's "Audit Assistance" tool, intended to flag inappropriate uses, will become standard on all Flock packages.

Flock is also adding a new feature called "Offense filtering for sharing." The tool will let cities moderate how other agencies access their residents' data by categorizing which types of offenses are searchable.

Does this make Flock cameras safer?

All of these changes come with exceptions. "Every community will continue to choose the retention period that fits its public safety strategy," according to Flock.

The company also announced a new "Evidence Mode," which allows law enforcement to bypass retention policies and store specific ALPR data if it is deemed evidence in an active investigation. The feature could be a step in the right direction, or it could make everything worse, according to civil rights groups.

"If 'Evidence Mode' only retains hit result data that police determine may be evidence in an active investigation of a specific case, then the change may be a positive one," the ACLU wrote in an analysis of the new policy. "But if 'Evidence Mode' triggers the retention of any ALPR data that is searched, then the new mode could indefinitely retain all the ALPR data Flock collects and shares nationally."

Broadly, many of Flock's new safety features have not been proven to prevent pervasive law enforcement misuse, the ACLU argues: "Transforming an exceptionally dangerous mass surveillance system into one that is fully protective of civil rights and civil liberties is a difficult, if not impossible task."

Why are Flock cameras controversial?

In the last month, communities have rallied to "deFlock" their neighborhoods, including destroying, blocking, and even stealing Flock cameras installed there. Many city governments, and even fellow tech companies, have canceled contracts with the company, as others debate continued partnerships.

To many, the "eye-in-the-sky" Flock camera has become a looming symbol of tech-enabled state surveillance and unfettered data collection. As of June, the company operates more than 120,000 cameras in 6,000 different neighborhoods, used across a gamut of businesses, law enforcement agencies, and even homeowner associations to monitor anyone who happens to drive by.

For years, privacy experts and civil rights advocates have raised alarms over the escalation of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems across the country, as well as the covert nature of ALPR surveillance hardware in public spaces. In addition to automatically scanning passing cars to crosscheck their registration against law databases, ALPRs often store personal registration and location data for indefinite periods to later be used by national networks and law enforcement agencies — before you've even committed any crime.

In offering such services to agencies and businesses across the country, activists allege companies like Flock have enabled a mass state-accessible tracking apparatus unbeknownst to citizens. That is, until recently.

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SAVE $20.99: The Ninja Crispi glass air fryer is on sale at Amazon in select colorways for $159, down from the list price of $179.99. That's a 12% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $159 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20.99   Get Deal

Some kitchen appliances are fads that come and go. It seemed like air fryers might fall into that category until we all realized how excellent they truly were. If your old air fryer is feeling beat up, we have fresh models that offer even more convenience and bake in glass. If that's sparked an interest, check out this Amazon deal.

In select colorways, the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer is on sale at Amazon for $159, marked down from the list price of $179.99. That works out to a savings of $20.99.

When Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino set out to find the best Ninja appliances, the Crispi emerged as the best air fryer. "Air fryers are great for anyone, but the Ninja Crispi is made for meal preppers," wrote Mangino. "With its portable design, it stores nicely and can be used on the go. Plus, it actually works. The controls are simple, and the glass baskets come with storage lids for easy food storage."

SEE ALSO: The Shark NV752 TruePet vacuum is 38% off — buy now for under $250

Since the Crispi cooks in glass containers, there's no need to transfer food into a different vessel for serving or storage. Plus, Ninja included snap-lock and leak-resistant lids for the glass containers. The Crispi has convenient air fryer settings such as bake, re-crisp, and max crisp, with a temperature range up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes time to clean, both the lids and glassware are dishwasher safe. Today's Amazon deal earns you the Ninja Crispi PowerPod air fryer, a four-quart glass container, a six-quart glass container, and lids for both.

Since we're heading into back-to-school season, upgrade to the Ninja Crispi for easy dinners and meal prep. It's a Mashable favorite air fryer thanks to the glass containers.

SAVE UP TO $100: As of Aug. 13, shop Apple AirPods at Amazon and save. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are down to $189.99, while the AirPods Max 2 are $100 off.

Best Apple AirPods deals this week: Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $189.99 (save $59.01) Get Deal Best AirPods 4 Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max 2 $449 (save $100) Get Deal

We have put together a plethora of guides on headphones and earbuds here at Mashable. We've tested models from every brand, including Bose, Sony, JLab, and Nothing. But here's the thing, Apple's AirPods will always be the most popular earbuds out there.

It's not unwarranted, though. Apple makes connecting AirPods to iOS devices so easy that even tech novices can use them. During big blockbuster sales like Prime Day or Black Friday, AirPods are guaranteed to go on sale, but in between? It can be really hit or miss.

So it feels like a real treat that, as of Aug. 13, every pair of AirPods is on sale at Amazon. We checked the prices across retailers, and Amazon has all the best prices right now. So if you need a new pair of AirPods, now is the time to shop.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $189.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $59.01   Get Deal

The absolute best deal on AirPods to shop now is on the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Now down to $189.99, it's just $20 away from its lowest price ever, not a bad deal considering its all-time low fell during Prime Day. Now 24% off, these AirPods offer the best savings among the deals currently available.

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's most advanced earbuds. It delivers stellar in-ear active noise cancellation. If you wear them while working out, they now even feature heart rate sensing to track your heart rate and calories burned. For those who have tried AirPods and been disappointed with the fit, the new AirPods Pro 3 have a redesigned ear tip with five sizes for the most secure fit yet.

But if you're looking for a different model, they're all on sale, so take a look through all the deals available at Amazon.

More Apple AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449 $549 (save $100)

SAVE $40: The Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball is Best Buy's Drop for Aug. 13. It's on sale for $159.99 (normally $199.99) in the Best Buy mobile app while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) $159.99
$199.99 Save $40 Only available in the Best Buy mobile app. Get Deal

Lego's first-ever Pokémon sets arrived earlier this year, including one starring everyone's favorite Electric-type mouse. The 2,050-piece Pikachu and Poké Ball set retails for $199.99, making it one of the most expensive Lego Pokémon builds available. Annoyingly, it's been difficult to find on sale ever since it launched in February. But today, shoppers can score it at a lower price than ever.

The Lego Pikachu and Poké Ball set is marked down to $159.99 as Best Buy's Drop for Thursday, Aug. 13 — an unprecedented $40 savings. The deal is exclusively available in the Best Buy mobile app today while supplies last, and I wouldn't be shocked if it sells out in well under an hour.

Credit: Lego

Historical pricing data shows that this Lego set has never gone on sale on Amazon before, and it's only seen $10 to $18 markdowns at Walmart this summer. It probably won't see a discount this big until Black Friday season.

For the uninitiated, Best Buy Drops is an app-exclusive program featuring limited-time deals and restocks of viral products. (You won't find the same offers in Best Buy stores or online.) New Drops go live almost every day at 11 a.m. ET and don't get restocked once they sell out, so promptness is key.

SAVE $800: As of Aug. 13, the Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV is still in stock and on sale for $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's $800 off its list price, but we recommend acting fast, as stock is running low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,197.99 Save $800.00   Get Deal

It's no longer the newest TV in Samsung's OLED lineup, but the S85F is still a stunning contender at an excellent value. As a 2025 model, stock is drying up across retailers. If you want to bring home this budget-friendly yet brilliant TV at $800 off its retail price, now's the time to act.

As of Aug. 13, Amazon still has the Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV in stock for just $1,397.99. That's $800 off the list price. And for what it's worth, that's also $1,000 cheaper than the 2026 upgraded model, the S85H, which is only incrementally better. It's currently sold out at Samsung, Best Buy, and Walmart.

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The S85F is the entry-level OLED TV from Samsung's 2025 lineup, but it still offers great specs. Its picture quality is extremely impressive, with vivid colors and deep contrast. It features Samsung's Tizen 9.0 smart TV platform for smooth, speedy navigation; decent gaming features like a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, and FreeSync Premium; and, of course, AI tools like Click to Search, Live Translate, Adaptive Sound Pro, and Real Depth Enhancer to enhance your viewing experience.

If a big screen and a brilliant picture are what you're after, the 77-inch Samsung S85F OLED checks both of those boxes. And if you act pretty fast, you can lock it in for only $1,397.99 while it's still in stock.

SAVE $240: The 14-inch, M5 Pro-powered Apple MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,259.99 at Amazon. That's 10% off its regular price of $2,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,259.99 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $239.01   Get Deal

Great MacBook deals are getting harder to find in the wake of Apple's price increases. It's especially important to cross-check models across retailers to make sure you've found the best price.

Take the 14-inch, M5 Pro-powered MacBook Pro. It's $200 off at Best Buy this week — not bad — but if you buy it there before shopping around, you've missed out on an even bigger discount. As of Aug. 13, I'm seeing it on sale for $240 off on Amazon. It usually retails for $2,499, but you'll pay $2,559.99. The only other retailer that's price-matching it is Costco (with no membership required).

This MacBook is one of the most powerful laptops on the market, full stop. It's not geared toward the average, everyday user, but rather toward graphic designers, video editors, and other creative professionals who run highly intensive software daily. (If you're a regular-degular person looking for the best MacBook, go with the Air instead.) In the battery life department, it's rated for up to 22 hours of use per charge.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage

Compared to the base M5 MacBook Pro, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro has three of the latest, fastest Thunderbolt 5 ports instead of Thunderbolt 4, and it can support up to three external displays instead of two. It also packs Apple's newest wireless networking chip, the N1. Combine those features with its ample RAM and storage capacities — 24GB and 1TB, respectively — and you've got a super future-proofed machine.

The M5 Pro MacBook Pro's screen is a bright, luscious, mini-LED display with a silky 120Hz refresh rate and a crispy 3K resolution. It has a 12MP Center Stage camera, and it comes in your choice of two finishes: Silver or Space Black.

For what it's worth, Apple's back-to-school promo nets you a $100 discount on this MacBook Pro and a free $150 gift card, for a total savings of $250. However, the offer is only open to college students, their parents, and school faculty.