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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 19, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Plot twist

• Green: Same grouping

• Blue: Position rivals

• Purple: Fictional characters

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Unexpected result

• Green: NL West teams

• Blue: NFC North QBs

• Purple: Characters in "Happy Gilmore"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #330 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Unexpected result - SHOCK, STUNNER, SURPRISE, UPSET

• NL West teams - ARIZONA, COLORADO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO

• NFC North QBs - GOFF, LOVE, MCCARTHY, WILLIAMS

• Characters in "Happy Gilmore" - CHUBBS, HAPPY, SHOOTER, VIRGINIA

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

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

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 19, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 19, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dash it!

The words are punctuation-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are connected by a dash.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hyphenated.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 19

• Willy-Nilly

• Hocus-Pocus

• Hyphenated

• Hoity-Toity

• Pell-Mell

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 19

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 today's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for August 4 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 19 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Unruly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

ROWDY.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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

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 Wordle.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 19, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 19, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Equal: Everything in these two squares must be the same. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically on the right and 4-2, placed vertically on the left.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Equal (3): Every domino half in this space must contain three pips. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater than (3): The domino half must add up to more than 3 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally

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

Number (6): The domino halves in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 19

Not equal: The domino halves in this space must be different. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally and 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally and 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must equal 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): The domino halves in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (5): The domino halves in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): The domino halves in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino halves in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Connections 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.

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

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.

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

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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 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: Chatty Cathy

• Green: Reds and whites

• Blue: A stone

• Purple: Fast-moving

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Quite the talker

• Green: Fortified wines

• Blue: ___ Rock

• Purple: Starting with ways to move quickly

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 #801 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Quite the talker: BLABBERMOUTH, CHATTERBOX, PRATTLER, WINDBAG

• Fortified wines: MARSALA, PORT, SHERRY, VERMOUTH

• ___ Rock: CLASSIC, LITTLE, PLYMOUTH, THE

• Starting with ways to move quickly: DARTMOUTH, DASHBOARD, FLYWHEEL, RUSHMORE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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.

Aubrey Plaza has spoken about grief following the passing of her late husband Jeff Baena, who died in January of this year, during a podcast appearance with her former Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler.

Appearing on A Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Plaza, who stars in the crime comedy Honey Don't, was asked by the host how she's doing right now.

"Right in this very very present moment I feel happy to be with you," Plaza responds. "I feel...overall I'm here, and I'm functioning, and I feel, you know, I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think, like, I'm OK, but you know, it's like a daily struggle."

The actor goes on to compare her grief with the horror movie The Gorge, which features a giant crevasse filled with monsters.

"That feels like what my grief is like, or what grief could be like," she says. "At all times there's like a giant ocean of, just, awfulness, that's like right there and I can see it, and sometimes I Just want to like dive into it, and just like be in it, and then sometimes I just like look at it, and then sometimes I just like try to get away from it, but it's always there."

Honey Don't opens in theaters Aug. 22.

SAVE OVER $20: As of Aug. 19, a four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale for $74.99 at Amazon. This is 24% off their list price of $99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal

If you're an Apple user, AirTags are a helpful investment to help keep an eye on everything. If you've had them on your shopping list, the good news is the four-pack of Apple AirTags are currently on sale for under $80 at Amazon. This is your chance to stock up at a discount.

The four-pack of Apple AirTags are usually listed for $99, but right now you can pick them up for $74.99. This marks a 24% discount off their list price, allowing you to save $24.01. If you no longer want to struggle to find your keys, wallet, or other items around the house, now is a great time to grab these.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch 10 is yours for under $300 — save $100 right now

AirTags only require a simple one-tap setup to connect to your iPhone or iPad, so you can start using them right away without any hassle. They can even be shared with up to five people, so you can loop in friends or roommates to keep an eye on items they're connected to. On top of that, AirTags also have a durable build that's IP67 water and dust resistant.

Now is the time to get the four-pack of Apple AirTags for $74.99. These aren't the only Apple items on sale right now, either. Looking for some new earbuds? The AirPods 4 are back under $100 at Amazon. Or have you been hoping to upgrade your laptop? The 2025 MacBook Air M4 is also on sale at Amazon.

UPDATE: Aug. 18, 2025, 1:38 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to add the results of the Supreme Court's ruling on age verification, and additional states Pornhub has blocked since January 2025.

The explicit tube site Pornhub is now blocked in 21 U.S. states.

This is due to age-verification laws. These laws vary state by state, but typically require visitors of a site with over a third of explicit content to submit a government ID or other form of age authentication. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a bill a couple of years ago, and now others have followed suit. In June, the Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for such bills that come before and after.

SEE ALSO: Porn censorship is going to destroy the entire internet

According to one preliminary study, age verification won't work to keep minors off porn sites. This is because of software like VPNs that allow someone to appear to be in a different location, and because of non-compliant websites. (The Florida attorney general is suing foreign-based porn sites for not instituting age verification.) Yet, these laws keep getting passed — and are encroaching on non-explicit websites as well, experts told Mashable.

While Pornhub is not blocked in Louisiana, it is blocked in these states, a Pornhub representative confirmed to Mashable:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• Montana

• Nebraska

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Virginia

• Wyoming

In Louisiana, where users must submit ID to view Pornhub, the site has seen traffic decline by around 80 percent, Aylo (Pornhub's parent company) told Mashable.

"These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children," Aylo stated when asked for comment by Mashable back in January.

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo continued:

First, to be clear, Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults.

Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws.

Industry experts say that, in addition to not working for their intended purpose, age verification laws also raise concerns about privacy protection and safety since websites now have to host (even more of) people's personal information. It will be harder to be anonymous online, which experts warn is dangerous to free speech. Adult industry experts Mashable spoke to in an explainer on age-verification laws advocated for device-level filters, as did Aylo in its statement.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week

Some in the adult industry worry about what Trump's second presidential term will bring due to the conservative policy outline Project 2025 and its measures to ban porn. One of Project 2025's authors, Russell Vought, was caught on a secret recording stating that age-verification laws are the "back door" to a broader porn ban.

SAVE ALMOST $1,000: As of Aug. 19, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale for $999.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its list price of $1,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix F2000 Portable Power Station $999.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $999.01 Get Deal

Whether you're planning a camping trip or looking to have a little extra backup power at home, a portable power station is worth investing in. The good news is there are some great deals available on various models right now, including from big brands like Anker. One of the best discounts we've come across recently is over at Amazon, where you can save almost $1,000 on an Anker Solix F2000 portable power station.

Usually this hefty power station is listed for $1,999, but it's currently 50% off at $999.99. It's worth keeping in mind that it's marked as a limited-time deal right now, so if it's been on your radar, now is the time to scoop it up and save.

SEE ALSO: The mighty EcoFlow Delta 2 Max solar generator is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price

This portable station is ready to power up a variety of items. Boasting a 2400W output, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station can power up to 12 devices. It includes an exclusive RV port, four AC ports, three USB-C charging ports, two USB-A ports, and two car outlets. It even has a little handle that makes carrying it around nice and easy, which is good news for those heading out into the great outdoors.

This is a limited-time deal, so act fast to save on the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station at Amazon. And if you're looking for a slightly cheaper option to buy, you can also save on the Anker Solix C300 right now at Amazon.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, August 19, 2025:

AcrossAnimal that falls in love with a tape dispenser, in a classic New Yorker cartoon

• The answer is Snail.

Language written in Devanagari script

• The answer is Hindi.

Singer Presley or Costello

• The answer is Elvis.

George ___, "Middlemarch" author

• The answer is Eliot.

Things "read" by fortune tellers

• The answer is Palms.

DownBlind followers

• The answer is Sheep.

___ wafers (Nabisco treat)

• The answer is Nilla.

Heavy item falling from the sky in some classic cartoons

• The answer is Anvil.

"In a pickle" or "in a jam"

• The answer is Idiom.

They might end with "etc."

• The answer is Lists.

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

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

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

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

SAVE $200: As of Aug. 19, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $999 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 MacBook Air M4 $999 at Amazon
$1,119 Save $120 Get Deal

The 2025 MacBook Air is still on sale, and this deal is the best we've seen. As of Aug. 19, you can get the 13-inch MacBook Air for under $1,000, currently priced at just $999. That's its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. The deal applies to all colors, so you can choose between starlight, midnight, silver, and sky blue. This low price is for the 512GB option, but if you need something bigger, every size option is reduced by $200.

This is one of Apple's best-ever MacBooks, and the newest in the Air range. It's powered by Apple's new M4 chip, meaning it's both fast and efficient. If you multi-task or do a lot of video editing, jumping between apps, and working through heavy multiple-tab workloads, this laptop is designed to cope with no lag. It’s also created with Apple Intelligence, Apple's personal AI system that helps you get more work done in less time.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods 4 are back under $100 at Amazon — save $30 for a limited time

This model also boasts a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that supports 1 billion colors, so you'll enjoy seriously high-quality pictures at all times. Other notable features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, a three-mic setup, and a six-speaker system with Spatial Audio, so you'll always look your best on work calls. And you get 18 hours of battery life, so you can work on the go without a worry.

This MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, a headphone jack, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. And if you like a big work set up, it supports up to two external displays, perfect if you have an Apple Studio Display.

We don't know how long this great MacBook deal will stick around, so get it from Amazon without delay.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 19, the Apple Watch 10 is on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on the list price.

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$399 Save $100 Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up the Apple Watch 10 for some time, this might be the time to make the plunge. As of Aug. 19, it's reduced by $100 at Amazon. Normally $399, the Apple Watch 10 is now just $299. This deal is for several colorways, including rose gold, silver, and jet black.

If you're looking for a watch that does a bit of everything, the Apple Watch 10 is the perfect choice. For health and fitness metrics, you'll be suitably impressed. Advanced health tracking includes ECG readings, heart rate notifications, and ovulation estimates. In the Vitals app, you'll find detailed overnight metrics such as heart and respiratory rates, and sleep tracking. It even includes alerts for possible sleep apnea.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods 4 are back under $100 at Amazon — save $30 for a limited time

For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app lets you track a whole load of activities, along with tools to monitor workout intensity and aquatic tracking with depth and water temperature sensors. And with 18 hours of normal use (and fast charging that gives you 80% in 30 minutes), the watch is perfect for all lengths of activity.

Display-wise, this is the thinnest of the Apple Watch range so far, but also has the biggest and most readable display. It also introduces Apple's first-ever wide-angle OLED display, meaning the watch remains clear and sharp when glancing at it quickly or from different angles.

Some other notable features concern safety. Users get Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and a Check-In feature that automatically updates loved ones when you reach your destination.

Get this Apple Watch deal from Amazon right now.

Tesla's Model YL is now official.

Following numerous rumors about a six-seater version of Tesla's most popular car, the company launched the Tesla Model YL — albeit for now only in China.

SEE ALSO: Tesla launches Robotaxi service in Bay Area, but there's a (human) catch

The Tesla Model YL is a slightly elongated version of the regular Model Y, with a total length of 4,976 millimeters (the regular Model Y is 4,790 millimeters long). It's also 24 millimeters taller, with a total height of 1,668 millimeters; the width remains the same at 2,129 millimeters (with mirrors extended).

There's some luggage space left even with all the seats unfolded. Credit: Tesla

Inside, there are six seats instead of five, in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. There's some space left in the trunk even when all seats are upright, though Tesla only lists the total storage space, which is 2,539 liters. The third row seats are heated, and power-folding, though they lack power-folding armrests and ventilation, which you only get on the second-row seats.

The Model YL is slightly taller than the Model Y, and its roofline appears to slope less, which probably makes life in the third row a little easier. Credit: Tesla

Despite the larger dimensions, the Model YL doesn't differ all that much from the Model Y. It has dual motors, accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.5 seconds (0.2 seconds slower than the Model Y), and has nearly the exact same cruising range by CLTC specifications — 751 vs 750 kilometers on the regular Model Y.

The pricing starts at CN¥339,000 or about $47,000, some $3,600 more than the price of regular Model Y in China.

There's no word on whether this version will come to the U.S. or other markets.

SAVE $30: As of Aug. 19, Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

The Apple AirPods 4 are back on sale, and as of Aug. 19, you can get them for under $100. Yep, you read that right. Right now, AirPods 4 are priced at just $99. This price is for the non-ANC version, but you can also secure a discount on the model with active noise cancelation.

These earbuds are always a solid choice, especially for the price you're paying. They are powered by Apple's H2 chip for an amazing immersive listening experience. Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking makes it feel like the sound is moving all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience. And the microphone audio is top notch, too. It uses advanced computational audio to reduce background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice. Perfect for phone calls or voice notes while out and about and in loud environments.

SEE ALSO: This Apple Watch is a steal at just $155 — save over $300 right now

The non-ANC model also has an enviable battery life, promising up to 30 hours of listening time with the case, and five hours with just a single charge.

You also get all the signature Apple touches, instant pairing with your iPhone or iPad, “Hey Siri” support, and an in-ear sensor that automatically plays and pauses audio. And of course, a wireless charging case that works with Apple Watch chargers, USB-C cables, or Qi-certified pads.

If you're looking for new earbuds, you can't go wrong with this AirPods deal.

TL;DR: Replace your Microsoft 365 subscription with a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 on sale now for $158.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Office Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business (Mac or PC Lifetime License) $159.97
$249.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal

Software subscriptions only seem cheap at first. A few dollars a month might not feel like much, but the absolute lowest possible price for Microsoft 365 is $99.99 per year. If you want a cheaper option, you can replace Microsoft 365 with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office, and you’ll still keep many of the same apps.

The biggest difference is instead of paying hundreds or even thousands over the course of a subscription, you can get Microsoft Office for life for only $157.97 (reg. $249.99).

What’s included with Microsoft Office

This license gives you full access to the core Microsoft Office apps that most people use every day. These are the desktop versions, not the web-based ones, and they run directly on your Mac or PC:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

Each app comes with the latest updates, including AI improvements. Word now comes with Smart Compose, which uses AI to suggest sentence completions and help you write more efficiently. Excel has dynamic arrays, improved filtering, and upgraded charting tools for faster and more flexible data work. PowerPoint supports full presentation recording with video, audio, and captions built in. OneNote remains a reliable space for organizing notes, to-do lists, and research, whether you’re at home or at work.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite MacBook for college students is on sale, plus 20 more back-to-school laptop deals

This version is a one-time purchase, so there are no recurring fees, and it includes access to updates.

If you’re ready to stop renting your software and just want a reliable set of tools you can own outright, here’s your chance. Right now, it’s only $157.97 to get Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac or PC.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Stop struggling with PDFs thanks to this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor, now only $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code SAVE20 through Sept. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter & Editor (Lifetime License) $23.99
$99.99 Save $76 Get Deal

School is starting, and whether you’re heading back as a student or you’re the adult in charge of kiddos, one thing is inevitable — you’re going to have to deal with some PDFs. If you’d like to make that experience a lot less painful, this PDF Converter and Editor can help.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime license to this handy tool for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code SAVE20 until Sept. 7.

Convert, edit, and manage PDFs without the hassle thanks to this handy tool

Unless you’re a PDF wizard, chances are you struggle with this frustrating file type. If you’d like to coexist with them more peacefully, PDF Converter and Editor makes it possible. This tool lets you process PDFs and other document types easily, so you can get back to what really matters.

This app lets you change a PDF to another file type like Microsoft Word, HTML, PNG, or JPG with just a few taps, without sacrificing quality as it preserves original layouts, images, and hyperlinks. Need to convert something to a PDF? That’s just as simple, even if you need to merge documents, images, or other file types.

Need to work within a PDF? Don’t get mad, get even with the PDF Converter and Editor. It lets you merge, split, rotate, or delete pages in seconds. You can also use OCR to extract and edit text from a document. It also lets you easily fill out forms or create your own interactive PDF forms if needed.

Want to keep track of your creations? You can add customizable watermarks and shapes for either personal or professional use. PDF Converter and Editor also allows you to annotate documents with notes, stamps, text, underscores, and more.

Make life easier this back-to-school season with this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor, just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code SAVE20 through Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get an Apple Watch Series 7 (refurbished) on sale for only $154.99 (reg. $499).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) $154.99
$499 Save $344.01 Get Deal

Getting an Apple Watch doesn’t have to mean blowing through your budget. If you want a smartwatch that tracks workouts, monitors your health, and keeps you connected without pulling out your phone, the Apple Watch Series 7 still holds up as a strong, well-rounded option. It’s also significantly cheaper than the competition.

This Series 7 Apple Watch used to be $499, but it’s on sale now for $154.99.

An affordable Apple Watch

The Series 7 introduced a bigger Always-On Retina display that gives you about 20% more screen area than earlier models. Thinner borders and increased brightness make it easier to check messages, use apps, and type directly on the screen using the built-in QWERTY keyboard.

The case is made from lightweight aluminum in midnight, and the front crystal is 50% thicker than before to resist cracking. It is also dust resistant with an IP6X rating and water resistant up to 50 meters, so it is safe to wear during workouts, hikes, or even swims. Just don’t go diving with it.

The battery lasts up to 18 hours and now supports fast charging. With the USB-C magnetic charger, you can go from zero to 80% in about 45 minutes.

You also get several health and safety tools, including ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate tracking, fall detection, sleep tracking, and support for a wide range of workouts. With GPS and Cellular, you can call, text, stream music, or use apps without your phone nearby.

This version includes a 45mm case, a sport strap, and ships with watchOS 8 pre-installed, with support for updates through watchOS 11.

The reason this Apple Watch is marked down is because it’s a refurbished model. The grade “B” rating means it may have light scuffs or cosmetic wear, but it is fully functional and includes a 30-day parts and labor warranty.

Don’t want to burn through your paycheck getting a new Apple Watch? Pick up an Apple Watch Series 7 on sale for $154.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Free-to-play game The First Descendant has been slammed for apparently using fake AI-generated influencers in their TikTok ads, as well as a deepfake of at least one real streamer without their knowledge or consent. The developer has now claimed this was the result of "certain irregularities" found in the operation of its call out for user-created content. 

Released by MapleStory developer Nexon last year, The First Descendant is a third-person loot shooter in which players fight alien invaders. Like many other online multiplayer games such as Fortnite and League of Legends, The First Descendant has "seasons," periods lasting a few months in which new content is added to the game. Season 3: Breakthrough began in August, with Nexon reportedly posting videos to The First Descendant's official TikTok account to promote the event. 

SEE ALSO: 1 in 5 new video games on Steam now uses generative AI, report says

However, players soon noticed something off about these ads. While the TikTok videos appeared to feature clips of streamers promoting The First Descendant, several factors indicated that they had actually been generated using AI. Red flags included the ostensible streamers' artificial-sounding voices, their inauthentic scripts, and their strange mouth and head movements. While viewers may not immediately pick up on these tells while casually scrolling through their TikTok feed, it quickly becomes obvious once you pay more attention to the clips.

Reddit user u/iHardlyTriHard compiled several of the ads in a post to the r/TheFirstDescendant subreddit, claiming that their TikTok For You page showed them four of the videos within 15 minutes.

"It's really a kick in the teeth to TFD content creators for them to be using AI for ads like this instead of actual content creators," wrote u/iHardlyTriHard, who claimed to be a content creator themself. 

Reddit

Even more egregious was the fact that at least one of The First Descendant's TikTok ads appeared to use the likeness of a real content creator without his consent. In the first clip from u/iHardlyTriHard's compilation, an apparent deepfake of horror game streamer DanieltheDemon can be seen talking about playing The First Descendant and promoting the game. However, DanieltheDemon has since stated that he had nothing to do with the game or ad.

"I have no affiliation nor contract with The First Descendant," DanieltheDemon wrote, commenting under Game Central's TikTok video on the issue. "They stole my face/reactions from my most viral video and used AI to change what my mouth says and a voice that isn't mine. I did not consent for my likeness to be used…"

With 8.3 million views, DanieltheDemon's most popular TikTok video shows the streamer playing indie horror game The Guest. The First Descendants' ad appears to have taken DanieltheDemon's video, flipped it, used AI to change his mouth movements and words, then added footage of their entirely different game to make it seem as though he was promoting it.

Left: A screenshot from DanieltheDemon's most popular video. Right: A screenshot from 'The First Descendants' TikTok ad. Credit: Mashable edit: Screenshot from @danielthedemon TikTok video; screenshot from @firstdescendantofficial TikTok via u/iHardlyTriHard

"Honestly it's embarrassing I genuinely believe the ads will actually hurt the game because anyone who was maybe half interested in checking it out would see these and think not a fucking chance," Reddit user u/darknessinzero777 said of the fiasco.

"I have no idea how I can recommend this game to other people at this point without also completely ruining my own credibility in the process," commented u/Detpowell.

The First Descendant developer responds to AI ad controversy

On Monday, Nexon released a statement addressing the uproar. While it did not directly address DanieltheDemon's specific situation, the developer did explain that it had not created the controversial ads itself. Rather, the videos had been created and submitted to them by third parties.

"As a part of our marketing campaign for [The First Descendant] Season 3: Breakthrough, we recently ran a Creative Challenge program for TikTok creators, which allows creators to voluntarily submit their content to be used as advertising materials," Nexon wrote in its announcement. "All submitted videos are verified through TikTok’s system to check copyright violations before they are approved as advertising content.  

"However, we have become aware of cases where the circumstances surrounding the production of certain submitted videos appear inappropriate. Thus, we are conducting a thorough joint investigation with TikTok to determine the facts."

TikTok's Creative Challenge program enables brands to issue call outs for user-created ads. Users who have been approved by TikTok to be part of this program can then create videos following the brand's guidelines, and will earn commissions on their content if their ad is used. Unfortunately, it seems that TikTok's vetting process may need reworking.

Even so, not all the blame can be laid at TikTok's feet. Judging from Nexon's statement, it appears the developer either completely abdicated ad vetting to TikTok, or simply failed to catch the AI-generated content in its own checks. Neither option bodes well. Particularly considering that The First Descendant ads' AI use seems fairly obvious, increased scrutiny in Nexon's ad approval process wouldn't go amiss.

Nexon states that its review of the situation is taking longer than expected, and it will provide further updates in due course. In any case, the developer will likely be more careful about approving crowdsourced ads in the future.

The moon is getting less and less visible each night, and it won't be long before we see nothing at all.

The moon is looking a little darker right now due to where we are in the lunar cycle, a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 19.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Aug. 19, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 16% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

We're on day 26 of the lunar cycle, and there's really not a whole lot for us to see tonight. With no visual aids other than your eyes, try and spot the Aristarchus Plateau. This is positioned in the top left of the moon (bottom right, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere).

With binoculars, see even more, including the Grimaldi Basin, and with a telescope, enjoy a glimpse of the Reiner Gamma.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Comedy.

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

HUMOR

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A path.

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

TRACK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Hazy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SMOKY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Coffee with chocolate.

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

MOCHA

Final Hurdle hint

Agile.

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

LITHE

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