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The Trump administration's dramatic decision to mark Anthropic's AI models as a "supply chain risk" earlier this year was illegal, a federal judge has ruled.

"The empty invocation of national security is not a blank check to punish and retaliate against government critics," wrote Judge Rita Lin in a 59-page ruling. The judge determined the federal government unlawfully retaliated against Anthropic despite its engaging in "constitutionally protected expressive activities."

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's SpacexAI faces another lawsuit from child sexual abuse survivor

Lin pointed to renewed conversations between Anthropic and the federal government, as well as the government's decision to back away from national security allegations, as corroboration that the designation was an attempt to make a public example of the company, the New York Times reported.

"We welcome the court’s ruling that this supply chain risk designation was unlawful. We remain focused on working productively with the government to harness A.I. for our national security so all Americans benefit from this technology," Anthropic said in a statement following the decision.

• Play our Big Guessing Game: Make your predictions now for a chance to win a new Apple Watch. Time's running out! 

What happened between Trump and Anthropic?

Anthropic filed a series of lawsuits in March, amid a heated back and forth between the developer, the Department of War, and President Donald Trump himself over the government's potential use of Anthropic's AI models for nationwide surveillance or lethal autonomous weapons.

The complaint accused the federal government of engaging in a targeted campaign against the company following the contract disagreement. Anthropic argued that the government's designation, typically reserved for foreign companies and national security risks, was an overly broad interpretation and "ideologically motivated."

Trump himself directed an immediate blacklisting of Anthropic products across federal offices, calling the developers "leftwing nut jobs" and Anthropic itself a "radical left, woke" AI company.

Following the fallout, which received widespread attention, Anthropic and the federal government reentered negotiations.

Then, in June, Anthropic was forced to pull its latest Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5 models under an export control directive from the federal government, citing security concerns about foreign nationals' access to the technology.

SEE ALSO: Claude Fable 5 vs GPT 5.5: Is this why the Trump admin banned one and not the other? What does the decision mean for AI companies?

Civil society groups see the ruling as a win for free speech proponents amid a government that is increasingly pushing back against dissenters.

"Yesterday’s ruling is a vindication of the First Amendment and a clear reminder that the government isn’t allowed to use national security designations to punish companies or individuals for public criticisms or business disagreements," said Greg Nojeim, senior counsel at the Center for Democracy & Technology. "Procurement policy can’t be an end run around the Constitution. The Pentagon can pick and choose which products it wants to buy. It can’t use the power of its size and position to stamp out disagreement."

Over the past week or so, someone (or perhaps a group of people) called Cyberleek has been very busy sharing short gameplay clips of Grand Theft Auto 6. On Aug. 20, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA-maker Rockstar Games, filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord to try to unmask the leaker, followed soon after by subpoenas against Google and X Corp. Those filings specifically cited "stolen content," seemingly confirming that at least some of the Cyberleek videos are legitimate.

Prior to Thursday's "Extended Look" on Netflix, the GTA 6 leaks represented the first real glimpse of gameplay from the hotly anticipated title. In addition, countless AI-generated videos posing as "leaks" have been circulating widely on social media. So, we've put together a quick list of everything Cyberleek released before seemingly throwing in the towel. We're not going to embed or link to any of these clips; however, they're easy enough to find on X or Reddit if you look hard enough.

SEE ALSO: What is Cyberleek? Everything we know about the alleged GTA 6 leakers. Every GTA 6 leak from Cyberleek so far

At the time of publication, 16 gameplay clips and three map screenshots have been posted by Cyberleek that show different aspects of GTA 6, including glimpses of cutscenes. The leaker did post some minor story spoilers in the most recent release, so be careful if you want to avoid them.

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch!

Here are the GTA 6 leaks Cyberleek has shared so far:

• Map sneak peek 1: A small, cropped portion of the in-game world map, showing a location called Dalton Island.

• Map sneak peek 2: Another cropped portion of the map showing locations called Tequesta Retreat, Gloriana Key, and Catalan Key.

• Basketball video: A clip of protagonist Jason Duval throwing a basketball into a hoop in a mini-game.

• Full map: An alleged view of the entire in-game map.

• Random video 1: A clip of Jason driving around for a little bit before beating up a truck driver.

• Taser video: A clip of Jason driving at night, stealing a security guard's taser, and using it on him. Jason then repeatedly kicks the guard while he is on the ground.

• Junkies video: A clip that appears to show a healing drug called Zombix. A tooltip indicates that Zombix's effects will weaken over time if the player uses it too much.

• Plane video: A clip of Jason flying a plane over Vice City, with much of the game world visible below. At the end, whoever is playing the game in the clip shoots the word "LEEK" into a wall with bullets, suggesting the leaker has a playable build of the game.

• Hypercar part 1: A clip of Jason driving a high-end sports car around Vice City.

• Hypercar part 2: A clip of Jason driving the sports car some more, before committing armed robbery.

• Strip club: Jason wanders around a strip club, then a short clip of an in-game cutscene is shown.

• Gas station: Jason causes trouble at a gas station, steals a truck with a bed full of gasoline, and crashes and dies; more of the previous cutscene is shown.

• Plane video 2: Jason flies a plane over Vice City at night.

• Nudist colony: Jason explores a nudist hangout spot (where the NPCs are, obviously, nude) and attacks NPCs.

• Nightclub: A pretty uneventful video of Jason walking around the interior of a nightclub.

• Beach cycling: Jason riding a bicycle on a beach full of NPCs.

• Video game store: Jason walking around a video game store with shelves full of fake video game boxes.

• How does Cyberleek drive?: Jason steals a hotrod and evades the police; the clip ends with a cutscene showing Lucia Caminos, the game's second playable character, for the first time. Caminos talks about someone who "drives like a bitch."

• Lucia prologue: A four-and-a-half-minute video of a prologue introducing Caminos; the clip includes minor story spoilers.

What could Cyberleek release next?

Cyberleek was running polls on its website that allowed people to pay in cryptocurrency to vote on what should be leaked next. In recent days, Cyberleek teased footage featuring the Lucia Caminos character, in particular. On Wednesday, Cyberleek made good on those promises and released a short cutscene with Caminos, followed by an extended look at the character's prologue.

However, that appears to be the end of it. Cyberleek's crypto meme coin appears to have been completely cashed out for about $250,000, and its value has cratered to a tiny fraction of its former value. Additionally, since before Thursday's official trailer on Netflix, Cyberleek has gone completely silent. No new leaks have appeared since Wednesday.

You can see the game officially now

Speaking of the Netflix trailer, it's now on YouTube in all of its 26-minute glory. There were plenty of little details that Cyberleek never showed, such as gameplay footage of Lucia, among many other things. If you want a real idea of how GTA 6 works, you're probably better off watching the Netflix video than anything Cyberleek posted at this point.

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Updated on Friday, Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m. ET — We've updated this story with additional details.

Updated on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 3:20 p.m. ET — We've updated this story with details on Rockstar's statement and additional GTA 6 leaks.

Updated on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 11:40 a.m. ET — We've updated this story to reflect the latest Cyberleek videos.

Updated on Monday, Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m. ET — We've updated this story to reflect the latest Cyberleek leaks.

Updated on Friday, Aug. 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET — Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the parent company of Grand Theft Auto-maker Rockstar Games, has filed two subpoenas naming Microsoft and Discord as it hunts the leaker known as Cyberleek. The legal filings specifically cite "stolen content," seemingly confirming that the leaks are legitimate. Take-Two is also requesting the removal of leaked material that violates its copyrights, as well as information that could unmask the leakers. Read more about the Microsoft and Discord subpoenas.

One of the last remaining Apple products to avoid a price hike so far this year just got more expensive.

On Friday, Apple bumped the price of its Apple TV streaming service to $14.99 per month or $119 per year. 

And if you were hoping to renew your subscription before the price hike at the previous rate of $12.99 per month or $99 annually, it's too late. The Apple TV price hike took effect immediately.

Those who subscribe to the Apple One Individual bundle will also pay more as a result, as the price jumped from $19.95 per month to $21.95 per month. Apple One bundles Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage into one subscription.

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch!

Apple previously raised Apple TV prices last August, bumping the price from $9.99 to $12.99, back when the service was still called Apple TV+. Apple dropped the "plus" from the branding in October 2025. Apple's streaming film and TV service now costs $10 per month more than it did when it launched in 2019 at an affordable rate of $4.99 per month.

SEE ALSO: Apple TV+ just got more expensive. Again.

However, Apple TV has a lot more to offer now than when it first launched. Unlike other streaming services that focus on distributing third-party movies and TV shows, Apple has focused entirely on original series and films. It seems to have paid off, as Apple TV is the exclusive streaming home of Ted Lasso, Severance, The Studio, Pluribus, and more. Apple TV also includes all Major League Soccer (MLS) games, which could be another draw for the service, especially after the World Cup.

Apple has been hiking prices for all of its products and services this year. Devices such as MacBooks and iPads went up by as much as $500 in June. Just one month later, Apple raised the price of another one of its streaming services, Apple Music, from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. Now, it's Apple TV's turn. 

This leaves the iPhone as the last remaining major price hike holdout. But, that won't be the case for long. Apple is reportedly planning to raise iPhone prices at its big annual September event in just a few weeks.

It seems like there isn't any major Apple product that will avoid a price hike this year — unless you count the Apple Polishing Cloth, which dropped from $19 to $9.

First, TikTok wanted to know whether your boyfriend would peel an orange for you. Then, whether he cared that you saw a bird. Now, users on the app have arrived at a more fundamental question: Can your boyfriend read?

In the latest relationship trend spreading across TikTok, women hand their boyfriends or husbands lists of words and ask them to read each one aloud. The lists vary, but each version includes words that are tricky to pronounce based on their spelling, yet common enough that most adults would recognize them: "epitome," "hyperbole," "colonel," "quinoa," and "niche," among others.

Then the boyfriends have a go — and, in many of the videos, get nearly all of them wrong. And viewers have found it increasingly difficult to blame every answer on the English language being notoriously quirky.

"This trend has unearthed a fear of mine that I didn’t know existed before this past week," creator Isabella Von Ghoul said in a response video, adding: "The state has failed your man, and I’m scared." Influencer Christina Najjar, also known as Tinx, asked women, "Why are you guys boasting that your boyfriends can’t read?" and creator Daniel Bennett was even more direct: "In the videos, the girlfriends are giggling. But we aren’t laughing with you. We’re laughing at you."

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On Reddit, where a post asking “Why can’t Gen Z read?” attracted hundreds of comments, some users viewed the sheer number of boyfriend videos as evidence of a generational problem. Many on X encouraged girlfriends to "either dump or immediately begin to get [your boyfriends] to start educating themselves."

The reaction reflects a larger conversation that had already been building online before the challenge emerged. Earlier this summer, viewers treated the vocabulary of the Love Island USA Season 8 cast as evidence that America’s literacy crisis had reached the villa. Islanders mispronounced words, mixed up common expressions, and, in one episode, even floated using ChatGPT to help write a love letter.

Contestant Sincere received particular attention after pronouncing "epitome" incorrectly (yes, a word featured in the TikTok challenge), saying that he wanted to "emerge" himself in the experience, and describing someone as a "ball" of fresh air. He wasn't alone, fellow Islander Jen pronounced "compromise" as though it contained the word "promise."

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

Of course, a few verbal flubs on reality television cannot diagnose someone’s literacy, much less prove the existence of a national crisis. But the numbers help explain why viewers are so ready to interpret them that way.

According to the latest federal data, the percentage of American adults ages 16 to 65 performing at the lowest literacy level rose from 19 percent in 2017 to 28 percent in 2023. Men performed slightly worse at the bottom of the scale: The share of male adults at Level 1 or below increased from 19 to 29 percent, compared with an increase from 18 to 26 percent among women. (However, NCES found no statistically significant gender gap in overall literacy scores.)

Those scores are only one part of the growing concern. Federal data shows that the share of adults who read at least one book fell from 54.6 percent in 2012 to 48.5 percent in 2022, while daily reading among 13-year-olds nearly halved. College professors have responded by shortening reading lists as students struggle to finish full books, and some now use ChatGPT to bypass difficult texts entirely. In July, The Atlantic described this shift as "The End of Reading," arguing that the country may be becoming "post-literate": Most people can read, but sustained reading is increasingly treated as an unnecessary burden.

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Boyfriends have become their own recurring category of TikTok content, often in genuinely charming ways. Last year, the "my boyfriend wants to show you" trend encouraged men to proudly explain their plants, Lego sets, golf clubs, and other interests while their partners demanded that viewers pay attention and leave supportive comments.

There are also tests: The orange peel theory instructed women to ask their partners for an orange and treat their willingness to peel it as a measure of devotion. The bird theory judged whether a partner responded enthusiastically when told about a bird sighting. In the "name a woman" challenge, girlfriends asked their partners to name any woman and reacted with mock horror when they received an answer other than their own name.

SEE ALSO: TikTok trend features women protecting soft-spoken boyfriends showing off their special interests

As people have previously warned about TikTok relationship tests, a single recorded interaction cannot reliably determine whether a relationship is loving, healthy, or built to last. Not that that has ever stopped TikTok from trying.

Nevertheless, trends don't emerge in a vacuum. As more information arrives through short videos, podcasts, and AI-generated summaries, it appears these days you may not know how your partner processes the written word...until a TikTok list forces him to try.

TL;DR: Samsung just announced its 2027 Odyssey monitor lineup at Gamescom. The collection includes four new models.

I didn't even know human eyes could process 1,100 frames per second, but Samsung is betting they can. At Gamescom this week, the brand announced its 2027 gaming monitor lineup, and the specs are out of control.

According to the official press release, these next-gen monitors were designed for players who want total flexibility in speed and resolution. So, if you're used to blaming your refresh rate for your stats, Samsung's about to eliminate your favorite excuse.

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch!

“With new form factors, higher refresh rates, and advanced display technologies, the 2027 Odyssey lineup gives players more choice across competitive play, cinematic games, and multi-purpose setups," Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, said in a statement.

The 27-inch Odyssey G6 is the world's first monitor to reach a 1,100Hz refresh rate. Credit: Samsung

Here's everything we know so far:

• Odyssey G6 (27-inch): Samsung says the Odyssey G6 is the "world's first 1,100Hz gaming monitor." It uses a fast IPS panel with a 1ms response time and lets you toggle between HD at up to 1,100Hz and QHD at up to 600Hz through its Dual Mode.

• Odyssey OLED G9 (49-inch): If you want a wider field of view, the OLED G9 has a 49-inch Dual QHD monitor, a 360Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. If you need more speed, you can use the Dual Mode to drop the resolution to Dual HD and push the refresh rate to 720Hz.

• Odyssey OLED G8 (32-inch): This 4K OLED monitor features Triple Mode, so you can swap between UHD at 360Hz, QHD at 520Hz, or FHD at 680Hz depending on what game you're playing.

• Odyssey OLED G7 (42-inch): Samsung claims this is the "world's first 42-inch 16:9 curved OLED gaming monitor." It features a 1000R curve to bring the edges closer to your natural sightline, 4K picture quality, and a 165Hz refresh rate.

Samsung hasn't announced pricing or release dates for the OLED models just yet, though the 1,100Hz G6 is set to launch globally in the second half of 2026.

SAVE $20: The Apple 2026 Mac mini M5 Pro is listed for $1,669.99 at Amazon. That's the best preorder deal we've found ahead of the Sept. 22 release date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2026 Mac mini M5 Pro $1,669.99 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $29.01   Get Deal

We were really pleased to see Apple's brand-new Mac mini M6 discounted on Amazon. We were absolutely delighted to see the Mac mini M5 Pro get the same treatment.

Apple has just unveiled these new Mac minis, so we weren't expecting to see any price drops so soon. And it might not look like we have got any price drops, but look closely and you'll see that Amazon's preorder listings are cheaper than anywhere else. For the Mac mini M5 Pro, you're looking at a saving of about $30 compared to Apple and anywhere else.

That's not the biggest discount we've ever seen, but we'll take what we can get. You just know these are going to sell quickly, whatever the price.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! New Macs Before iPhone Event — What’s Going On?

The Mac mini M5 Pro has up to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU with up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. It starts at $1,699 from Apple with 24GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Apple is aiming this model at "pro users with seriously demanding workflows."

Score the best preorder deal on the Mac mini M5 Pro at Amazon.

Bluesky, one of the more successful alternatives to Elon Musk's X, has just added a brand new feature that sets it apart from other social media platforms.

On Thursday, the official Bluesky account on the platform announced that an opt-out option has just gone live that prevents a user's post from being included in algorithmic recommendations. 

Now you can opt out of having your posts shown to non-followers in the Discover feed. We know not everyone wants to go viral. Sometimes you're just posting for your followers. This is one of a few updates we're working on to give you more control over your experience and help you find your people.

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) August 27, 2026 at 3:03 PM

"Now you can opt out of having your posts shown to non-followers in the Discover feed," Bluesky said. "We know not everyone wants to go viral. Sometimes you're just posting for your followers. This is one of a few updates we're working on to give you more control over your experience and help you find your people."

When turned on, a user's posts notably stay public. Everyone will continue to see the account. It does not turn the account private. Instead, the algorithm just doesn't recommend the account's posts on the platform's main feed, Discover, to other users who don't follow the account.

Technically, a post can still go viral. Another user can screenshot a post and share it far and wide. But, toggling the opt-out feature on will certainly make it a lot harder.

How to turn on the Bluesky opt-out feature

To turn the opt-out feature on, go to the Bluesky app's Privacy and Security settings and turn the toggle on for "Ask apps to hide my posts from algorithmic recommendations." According to Bluesky, it can take up to one hour for the opt-out to take effect across the platform.

As TechCrunch notes, the setting is recorded at the account level. This means that other apps that use Bluesky's AT Proto protocol can utilize the feature if the third-party app maker so chooses

In order to set itself apart from competitors, Bluesky has been adding a slew of hyper-customization features that provide users with more control over their accounts. Earlier this year, the company rolled out a new feature that gave users more custom feed options.

Just this week, Bluesky also rolled out new video limits that allow users to upload longer videos that are up to 10-minutes long.

Pokémon continues its reign of taking over, and we're not mad. The Fitbit Air, Google's first faceless fitness tracker, just got a new special edition that not only comes with a band featuring Pikachu, but it also syncs up to a designated Pokémon sleep app. Introducing the Google Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep $129.99 at Google
  Pre-order Here A fun but subtle design

The Pokémon Sleep version of the Fitbit Air has a sleepy blue colorway that doesn't give any indication it's a Pokémon edition until you look at the inside of your wrist. There, sleeping in a ball, is the adorable Pikachu. The sleeping Pikachu is on a custom silk-print label that gives this Fitbit Air a unique element that's awesome for Pokémon fans.

A sleep blue colorway with Pikachu sleeping on silk. Credit: Google

I've been wearing the Fitbit Air for over three months, and I can say it's the most comfortable fitness tracker I've ever worn. While it has missed tracking a few of my naps, it does a great job with nightly sleep tracking. And since it's the most comfortable sleep tracker I've ever worn to bed, I can't complain much about an occasional missed nap.

Sync up with the Pokémon Sleep app

The new Pokémon Sleep Fitbit Air gets even more fun when you download the Pokémon Sleep app and pair it with your Google Health app. After you're connected, you'll be invited into the world of your sleep activity, unlocking access to interactive rewards. You get to make friends with Pokémon who have similar sleep styles to your own. Your team then sets off to collect Berries, which raise Snorlax's strength to increase "Drowsy Power." The more sleep you get, the more Pokémon you'll get to see.

Collect as much Drowsy Power as possible Credit: Google Your sleep type will attract Pokémon with similar stats. Credit: Google

In more fun news, you don't need to purchase the special Pokémon edition of the Fitbit Air to use the app. Google's blog post about the special edition explains that the sleep experience works with all Google Pixel and Fitbit wearables.

How to buy the Google Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep

Preorders for the Pokémon Sleep Fitbit Air are live at Google with a launch date set for Sept. 15. The Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep comes with a price of $129.99, meaning it's $30 more expensive than the standard Fitbit Air. For Pokémon fans, that doesn't feel like a massive price increase to get something you can wear 24/7 and admire every time you glance at your wrist.

TL;DR: Hello Nancy just launched its limited-edition Center Court Collection right in time for the U.S. Open — and both new toys are already on sale.

Shop the Court Collection: Smash Wand Vibrator $129 (save $100) Get Deal Ace Air Suction Massager $99 (save $100) Get Deal

Hello Nancy just dropped two brand-new toys that are somehow even cuter than the Lem (I know, I couldn't believe it either) — and they're already on sale.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

As you may know, I'm a huge fan of Hello Nancy (even more so now that they share a roof with Biird under parent company Care & Bloom). Their iconic lemon-shaped clitoral massager basically broke the internet, racking up over a million sales since April 2023. According to the brand, one Lem is sold every 23 seconds.

Now, they're heading courtside for the U.S. Open (which runs through Sept. 13), with the Center Court Collection. They only made 500 units for this first limited drop, so if you want in on the action, you'll definitely want to move fast.

The Ace is a tennis ball-shaped clitoral suction toy. Credit: Hello Nancy The Smash is a wand vibrator with a tennis ball head. Credit: Hello Nancy

Here's a quick look at the drop:

• Ace ($99 to $109): Ace is an air-suction massager (because, of course, it is), and it looks just like a tennis ball. I haven't gotten my samples yet, but judging by the ergonomic design, it looks ideal for anyone who wants something palm-sized and easy to hold. It has eight intensities and four patterns, and here's the best part: It has a runtime of three and a half hours. It's also USB-C rechargeable and IPX7 waterproof. You can get it in Tennis Green ($99) or Nancy Pink ($109).

• Smash ($129): If you prefer a traditional wand vibrator (my fave wand died on me, so I'm currently on the hunt for a new one myself), Smash is a full-sized wand with a flexible head shaped like, you guessed it, a tennis ball. It's deep, rumbly, IPX7 waterproof, and built for people who want widespread power (use it on your vulva, clitoris, nipples, perineum, or anywhere else).

Helen Mirren stars as legendary novelist Patricia Highsmith in A Talent for Murder, and we're dangerously seduced by the trailer out today.

Directed by Anton Corbijn and written by Joanna Murray-Smith, the film sees Alden Ehrenreich (Weapons, Solo) as Edward Ridgeway, a man sent by his New York publisher to Switzerland to convince the Talented Mr Ripley author to pen one last masterpiece in her all-important Ripley series. The thing is, someone from the publisher has already been sent on the mission and nobody's heard from him since. And there are an awful lot of guns and knives around Highsmith's home, as you can see in the trailer above.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Ripley' is full of Caravaggio references — here's why

But Highsmith intends to give Ridgeway one night to show her he can "inhabit the mind of a killer," before she puts anything down in print. And so, the pair play Highsmith-style crime writing 101. First up? They'll need to find their mark, a dazzling female lead with a dazzling female name — Clementine Harriet Balfour (House of the Dragon's Olivia Cooke) — who's "destined for money" from her great aunt.

But the longer Ridgeway plays the Ripley game with Highsmith, the darkness of her literature threatens to get very real.

A Talent for Murder hits cinemas Oct. 23.

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SAVE $20: The Apple 2026 Mac mini M6 is listed for $879.99 at Amazon. That's $20 less than Apple or anywhere else.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2026 Mac mini M6 $879.99 at Amazon
$899 Save $19.01   Get Deal

We'll keep this short and sweet because competition for any deal on Apple's brand-new Mac mini M6 will be fierce.

We're only days post Apple's unveiling of the portable Mac mini with the new M6 chip, and we've already got a discount. It's not listed as a discount, but trust us, it's a discount. Preorders for the Mac mini M6 are listed for $879.99 on Amazon. That's $20 less than Apple and just about anywhere else. That's a deal in every sense of the word.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! New Macs Before iPhone Event — What’s Going On?

What's all the fuss about this new Mac mini? Firstly, it's been a while since you could actually buy a Mac mini, period. There was a wave of sales earlier this year when OpenClaw users scrambled to find a way to run the AI assistant, and then Apple axed it altogether. That means shoppers are crying out for this little powerhouse.

And the wait is almost over. The Mac mini M6 will be released on Sept. 22, with preorders now live on Apple and Amazon. We know where we'll be shopping.

So the rumors are definitely true: there are new Mac Minis on the market. They're wildly powerful, with new M6 and M5 Pro chips on board, which Apple calls "an extraordinary leap in performance and AI capabilities."

The new Mac Minis are available for preorder now at Apple, Amazon, and other retailers, and they've already gotten their first discount. As Amazon likes to do, it's undercutting the competition by offering a discount before the products are even released. When you preorder at Amazon, you can save $19.01 on the M6 model and $29.01 on the M5 Pro model. Those aren't huge discounts, and if the price is still a little too high, you can take advantage of the new Apple Upgrade program and lease these mini PCs starting at $74.91 a month (if you qualify).

Apple Mac Mini (M6) $879.99 at Amazon
Save $19.01 at Amazon Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Apple.com Apple Mac Mini (M5 Pro) $1,669.99 at Amazon
Save $29.01 at Amazon Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Apple.com

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch!

Introducing the new Mac Mini, now upgraded for the AI era Credit: Apple

Apple not only surprise-announced the new desktop computer today, but also promptly made it available for pre-order. With many folks using Mac Mini to run AI agents like OpenClaw, we expect the tiny new powerhouses to be coveted products among AI superusers. The Mac Mini hasn't had an update since the M4 and M4 Pro chips debuted in a pint-sized package in November 2024, making this updated version with new Apple Silicon even more desirable.

As the most powerful products in Apple's lineup, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for both the M6 and M5 Pro Mac Minis. The weight of the global memory shortage certainly doesn't help either. The M6 option starts at $899, with maxed-out specs running you up to $2,399. Meanwhile, the M5 Pro starts at $1,699 and can cost as much as $6,799 with maxed-out specs. Education buyers can save $100 on each device by ordering directly through the Apple Store.

Both the M6 and M5 Pro Mac Mini will start shipping on Sept. 22, but customers can pre-order either device. Initially, these devices were only available at the Apple Store, but they're now available at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. If you want to ensure you get your hands on one of these small but mighty desktops, we recommend pre-ordering as soon as your wallet allows.

SAVE $1,600: As of Aug. 28, the Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale for $999.99 at Amazon. That's over 60% off its list price and a record low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop combo $999.99 at Amazon
$2,599.99 Save $1,600.00   Get Deal

Our biggest issue with the Roborock Saros Z70 — the infamous robot vacuum and mop combo with a mechanical grabby arm — when it came out last year was its astronomical price. Mashable's robovac expert didn't think it was worth the $2,600 price tag, but now that it's under $1,000? We're intrigued.

As of Aug. 28, Amazon has the Roborock Saros Z70 on sale for just $999.99. It's listed for $2,599.99 on the Roborock website, so technically it's $1,600 or over 60% off (though Amazon sells it a little short). That's also its best price ever.

The standout feature of the Saros Z70 is obviously its mechanical OmniGrip arm. It can grab objects like stray socks or sandals lying around and move them to their designated home while cleaning your floors. It's more gimmicky than it is useful in a lot of cases, according to our reviewer, but if you're into breakthrough tech and want to give it a shot, by all means. It does work, it's just extremely limited.

That said, the Z70 is otherwise an excellent robot vacuum and mop combo. It has a strong 22,000 Pa of suction and powerful scrubbing abilities. Our reviewer also calls out its hinged spinning mopping pads for excelling in corners and hard-to-reach spots. It's also very slim, pretty quiet, and ultimately great at cleaning your home. We just don't think you should spend $2,600 on it. A $1,600 discount, however, makes the Roborock Saros Z70 a pretty sweet deal.

TL;DR: Watch Lille vs. PSG in Ligue 1 for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ligue 1 has only just kicked off, but we're already getting one of the biggest matchups on the schedule. Last year's Ligue 1 champions PSG visit Lille, a team that finished third last season and beat Angers in their opening game.

It's not been a hugely impressive start for PSG. They lost to RC Lens in the Trophee des Champions and scraped a draw against Rennes in their season opener. Can PSG get back on track and score their first win of the season?

If you're interested in watching Lille vs. PSG in Ligue 1 from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Lille vs. PSG?

Lille vs. PSG in Ligue 1 kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 28. This fixture takes place at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

How to watch Lille vs. PSG for free

Lille vs. PSG in Ligue 1 is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Lille vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Lille vs. PSG for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Lille vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Lille vs. PSG without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Ligue 1?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Lille vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart in the Bundesliga for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new Bundesliga season kicks off with Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart, a big fixture in German football.

Bayern won the league last season, largely thanks to striker Harry Kane's incredible record of 61 goals in all competitions. They're already off to a good start after beating Dortmund to win the German Super Cup, with a goal from French World Cup dynamo Michael Olise. Stuttgart should be formidable opposition, finishing in the top four last season.

If you're interested in watching Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart in the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart?

Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart in the Bundesliga kicks off at 2.30 p.m. ET on Aug. 28. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart for free

Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart for free from anywhere in the world.

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

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Bundesliga?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

On Thursday, Grand Theft Auto fans finally got to see real, official gameplay of GTA VI on Netflix. As far as most are concerned, it lived up to the hype. But there's still the matter of all those leaks.

For about a week leading up to the Netflix trailer, a person or group of people called Cyberleek seemingly had access to a working build of GTA VI and leaked roughly 15 clips and screenshots of the game to the wider internet. The entire time, Cyberleek was letting users vote on what would be leaked next, with votes coming in the form of a cryptocurrency meme coin called $CYBERLEEK.

Guess what Apple will release in September in our Big Guessing Game: Apple edition. Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch!

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Cyberleek has gone quiet since about a day before the Netflix video, and all evidence points to a cash-out. A GTAForums user called Vice Cit (via Kotaku) documented the entire saga, and the latest developments indicate that Cyberleek cashed out to the tune of about $250,000 in crypto earnings, leading $CYBERLEEK to crash. At its zenith, the coin was valued at $0.034, but now it's all the way down at $0.005, a fall of 86 percent.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions here, with the most prominent being how, exactly, Cyberleek got all of that footage to begin with. Based on the gameplay clips, Cyberleek seemed to have a playable version of the game, if only an incomplete one.

But hey, now that we've gotten an official extended look at the game, we can say that at least the game looks good.

SAVE $1,200: As of Aug. 28, the LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV is down to a new best-ever price of $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's 44% in savings. Not to mention, you'll get a free $150 Amazon credit with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00 + get a free $150 Amazon credit Get Deal

Our favorite OLED TV for most people just keeps getting cheaper. We're inching closer to Labor Day, so it makes sense that TV prices are plummeting, but I wasn't expecting this LG TV to drop even further.

As of Aug. 28, the LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV is down to just $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's 44% off its list price of $2,699.99, and another $200 price drop since last week, when it hit an all-time low. But in case that's not enough of a reason to grab it, you'll also get a free $150 Amazon credit with your purchase to sweeten the deal.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot's huge Labor Day sale is now live: Shop the best deals on grills, power tools, and outdoor gear

OLED TVs are notoriously expensive, but the C6 is already what we'd call the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices. With this price drop, it's an outstanding value. Mashable's TV expert raved about its inky black levels, stark contrast, and "generally impeccable image quality" in our roundup of the best TVs of 2026. It also improves on its predecessor in ways that count: higher peak brightness, more vibrant colors, better audio, and a higher refresh rate (165Hz vs. 144Hz).

In a time when everything else is getting more expensive, it's a breath of fresh air to see the LG C6 TV keep dropping in price. If you need a TV upgrade ahead of the new NFL season or want to watch the slate of new TV coming this fall in the best possible quality, it doesn't get much better than this $1,200 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 Link 2C Pro $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 Link 2 Pro $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

If you’re looking to upgrade your workstation with a new look while also getting the best possible performance from your tech, check out the new-look models from Insta360’s flagship AI 4K webcam series. 

The Insta360 Link 2 Pro and Link 2C Pro are now available in arctic white, designed specifically for modern-looking workspaces and creator setups. The Insta360 Link 2 Pro is now available at Amazon for $199.99, and the Link 2C Pro is priced at $159.99.

These cameras may have a new look, but Insta360, which is the world’s best-selling 360 camera brand, has approached the camera technology with a “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kinda attitude, meaning the Link 2 Pro and Link 2C Pro have retained all the features and specs while offering upgrades via the software ecosystem.

Both versions of the Link 2 Pro are built around a large 1/1.3-inch sensor that’s built to capture natural, highly-detailed, professional-level 4K video wherever you are — it’s particularly good if you create content or take video meetings on-the-go, and you can’t always be sure of the lighting. These cameras are built to deliver strong low-light performance.

They also boast AI-assisted features, including AI-powered noise reduction. The Link 2 Pro also has AI tracking that follows you as you move, always keeping you framed to maintain a balanced, professional perspective as you talk or present. The Link 2C Pro, meanwhile, has a fixed-body design but also features Auto Framing for both solo and group presentations.

You can also access various creative tools through Insta360’s software ecosystem, which continues to evolve. Available tools include virtual backgrounds, a smart whiteboard, an all-new teleprompter for notes and talking points, and custom overlays that can add text, images, and video to your presentations and meetings. And the Insta360 InSight tool uses AI to transcribe and write-up summaries of meetings.

Get the Insta360 Link 2 Pro for $199.99 and Insta360 Link 2C Pro for $159.99 at Amazon now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Fenix 9 $999.99 at Garmin
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Fenix 9 Pro $1,099.99 at Garmin
  Shop Now

Garmin's lineup of fitness trackers just got bigger and more impressive. The Garmin Fenix 9 and Garmin Fenix 9 Pro are the brand's latest offerings, designed to help us "play harder." Launched via an in-depth YouTube video, the new lineup features a thinner design, better durability, a built-in flashlight, and a few new features that'll appeal to fitness fanatics.

The Garmin Fenix 9 and both the standard and solar versions of the Fenix 9 Pro are available to buy from Aug. 28. Here's a breakdown of features and details to consider before you buy.

Key features of the Garmin Fenix 9

With each new model, we're always looking for the key differences compared to the previous model. In this case, Garmin made the Fenix 9 slimmer and more durable, without adding much weight at all. Garmin Epic is new to the upgraded Fenix 9 family. The feature allows you to group activities into a single story rather than as individual activities. Consider a multi-day hike or a 100-mile bike ride split into two days. Garmin can now group these activities to give you a broader overview of the adventure, including sleep data, mileage, and the event's impact on endurance and stamina.

The Fenix 9 lineup features better mapping and navigational tools. Credit: Garmin

Garmin also noted that many of us have developed a special liking for rowing, especially those training for Hyrox. To meet this demand, Garmin incorporated improved performance data for rowing. For those heading out on the trail, Garmin added more intuitive routable maps.

The standard Garmin Fenix 9 can get up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and will launch with a list price of $999.99 on Aug. 28.

Key features of the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro and Fenix 9 Pro Solar

To clear things up right away, both the Fenix 9 Pro and Fenix 9 Pro Solar are identical in specs except for the solar recharging. One of the coolest things about this is that Garmin isn't charging us more for the solar-powered Pro option. Both the Fenix 9 Pro and Fenix 9 Pro Solar will cost $1,099.99 in the 47mm sizes and $1,199.99 in the larger 51mm size.

Compared to the standard Garmin Fenix 9, the Pro and Pro Solar have a brighter screen and an LED flashlight onboard that can illuminate in dimmable white, green, or red. The Fenix 9 can only display in dimmable white. The Pro and Pro Solar are also one gram lighter than the Fenix 9, and slightly thinner.

The latest models in Garmin's product offerings: The Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro Credit: Garmin

The Pro also has a larger battery, and Garmin says it can last up to 18 days in smartwatch mode. Of course, the Fenix 9 Pro Solar has a solar-charging lens that can earn you up to 34 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.

In addition to these physical features, the Pro and Pro Solar also come with the tech and fitness-tracking upgrades mentioned above for the Garmin Fenix 9, such as more advanced rowing performance data, the ability to group activities with Garmin Epic, an endurance score, and better stamina tracking.

How to buy the Garmin Fenix 9 and Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

Garmin officially announced this new lineup on Aug. 25, but shoppers had to wait a few days before they could place orders.

The Garmin website now lists these models as available to buy. We'll keep an eye on availability at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers. We have a feeling we'll see more retailers add these new Garmin models now that they're available for purchase.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're Gen Z.

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.

Play our Big Guessing Game: Make your predictions now for a chance to win a new Apple Watch. Time's running out!

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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 28, 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: "Don't let the bed bugs bite!"

• Green: Front to back

• Blue: Gen Z slang

• Purple: At the peak

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Bedtime parting words

• Green: Palindromes

• Blue: Modern add-ons/combining forms

• Purple: Top of the ___

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 #1174 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Bedtime parting words: NIGHT, REST EASY, SLEEP TIGHT, SWEET DREAMS

• Palindromes: MOM, NOON, SIS, TOP SPOT

• Modern add-ons/combining forms: BRO, CODED, ERA, MAXXING

• Top of the ___: HOUR, LINE, MORNING, POPS

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 today's Connections.