Mashable

HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in August 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99 per month with ads, $29.99 per month ad-free Get Deal Best Student Discount HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Best Bundle with Hulu Hulu with HBO Max Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal

It's happened: Max has rebranded back to its old name of HBO Max. Forget the name change, though, because the service still has plenty of exciting films and shows to watch. From The Last of Us to Sinners to the upcoming second season of Peacemaker and so much more, HBO Max is worth the investment for those looking to dive into the most talked about pieces of entertainment.

If you've been hoping to catch Sinners — you can check out our Sinners review to see our thoughts, where we called it "easily one of the best movies of the year" — there's no better time than now to start looking at plans and bundles.

The good news is that HBO Max has a couple of different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a big bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while getting access to your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: Now streaming: How to watch 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' at home

Alongside that deal and a couple more, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're just interested in its service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

HBO Max Student Discount Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $4.99 per month. That's a 50% discount off its usual price of $9.99 per month. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

• HBO Max Student Discount — $4.99 per month (save 50%)

Best Bundle with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with HBO Max Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $9.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $9.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $16.99 per month.

• Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $9.99 per month

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $9.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $99.99 per year, which ultimately saves you $19. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year, which saves you $33. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $9.99 per month, $99.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $16.99 per month, $169.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $20.99 per month, $209.99 per year

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in August 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Add-On Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From A Complete Unknown to season four of The Bear, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained for hours. The new Alien: Earth series is also set to stream there soon on Aug. 12. You can check out our review here, where we said streamers should "come for the Xenomorph, but stay for all the exquisite nightmares Hawley is cooking up."

If any of these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the entire 'Alien' franchise — from the 1979 classic to the new 'Alien: Earth' series

With streaming prices on the rise (Hulu even recently increased its prices just last year), there's no better time than now to find a way to save on streaming services like this one. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending. It's also worth keeping in mind that it was recently announced Hulu will soon be fully integrated into the Disney+ app, making it more worth it than ever to check out a bundle.

You'll even get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Disney+ Add-On Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, the next best thing is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $10.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $10.99 per month

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead. And if you're a sports fan and want to throw in ESPN+, there are also Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic and Premium plans, which run for $16.99 per month and $26.99 per month, respectively.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Best Student Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $9.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $9.99 per month (get first month free)

• Hulu (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $82.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $95.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV (with ads) — $82.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu + Live TV (no ads) — $95.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

Most of my fellow critics and peers agree that Sony sells the best earbuds and headphones. Some credit the company’s exceptional soundstage. Others commend its robust active noise cancellation, which gives the best Bose headphones a run for their money. I say it is Sony’s proprietary technologies. 

Most of these technologies are at your disposal via the Sony Sound Connect app (iOS/Android). You have the customizable EQ with multiple well-engineered presets that complement their associated categories. The Find Your Equalizer setting is a terrific option for creating a sound profile tailored to your hearing. The 360 Reality Audio makes music and movies more immersive. Then there’s the LDAC codec to enjoy hi-res audio streaming over Bluetooth at fast bitrates. Talk about a stacked lineup.

But there is one feature I have yet to mention. It’s easily my favorite and the most underrated wireless audio enhancer out there: DSEE. 

Audiophiles live by it, and casual listeners are often wowed by its performance. If you’re a Sony user who has yet to experience DSEE, stop what you’re doing and turn on this game-changing feature ASAP. It takes no longer than a minute. Let me show you how.

What does DSEE stand for?

It’s an acronym for Digital Sound Enhancement Engine. There are three versions of the technology: DSEE HX, DSEE Extreme, and DSEE Ultimate. Sony headphones employ DSEE Extreme. 

If you’re reading a review and the feature is simply referred to as DSEE, don’t panic. Experts and tech publications shorten the moniker for convenience (adding Extreme multiple times to copy becomes tedious after a while).

What is DSEE, and what does it do?

Sony defines DSEE as “an upscaling technology designed to enhance the quality of compressed low-quality audio files (e.g., sound source data on CDs or MP3).”  

You’ll notice the increase in clarity, depth, and fidelity on any track you play, no matter the format. The 20-year-old Napster files sitting in my Apple Music library never sounded so good. Listening to poorly engineered classic albums on Spotify is even more gratifying. I’m talking about material that sounds like it was produced in a back alley or sewer.

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the 36 Chambers is the one LP I reverently recommend hearing with DSEE on (the uptick in resolution is stark).

The results are most apparent on Android devices, though some skeptics will attribute this to DSEE with LDAC being employed at the same time. Either way, the technology is a sonic wonder.

How to enable DSEE on Sony headphones

You don’t have to be an engineer to tweak the sound on your Sony headphones. The company developed its wireless audio ecosystem to be super user-friendly. Look at Sony’s equalizer. It is so easy to operate and nowhere near as complex as the multi-layered tools in professional studio programs like Logic Pro. Using your finger to manually adjust frequencies requires minimal effort.

DSEE is even simpler to manage. Enter the Sound Connect app (when paired to your mobile device), select the EQ field, and scroll to the bottom to toggle DSEE Extreme on and off.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Which Sony headphones support DSEE?

All current Sony wireless headphones and earbuds support this feature.

When shopping for a laptop on a tight budget — like, under-$500 tight — you'll want to pay close attention to what you're buying.

In the highly competitive laptop market, you really do get what you pay for. That means it can be very dangerous to buy a cheap laptop just because it's inexpensive. Choose wrongly, and you'll be stuck with a slow, outdated computer that causes more problems than it solves. Mashable regularly tests budget-friendly laptops, but if $500 is your upper limit, even some of those models will be out of reach. Fortunately, we still highly recommend a handful of computers that will fit nicely into your budget.

Plus, one of our favorite laptops for college students is now under $500 during the back-to-school shopping season. As of this writing, you can grab the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus for $379 at Best Buy.

Our advice? If you're buying a Chromebook, get a Chromebook Plus. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Gaming is still possible with a $500 budget. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable A quick guide to laptop pricing

You can buy a cheap Chromebook for as little as $100, while our favorite gaming laptop will set you back over $3,000. And in our guide to the best laptops in general, you'll find machines that span a wide spectrum of prices. With $500 to spend, you'll be priced out of Ultrabooks, MacBooks, and most gaming laptops.

Typically, laptops fall into one of the following categories:

• Chromebooks ($100 to $650): These computers have minimal storage and are designed to run mostly web applications. They're light, portable, and very affordable. Cloud-based gaming Chromebooks also offer an alternative to gaming laptops.

• Budget laptops ($250 to $750): Even the best budget laptops won't have the most impressive specs, but they should have enough RAM and storage for everyday use at school or work.

• MacBooks ($850 to $3,500): The best cheap MacBook (the M4 MacBook Air) will set you back $999 at full price (or $850 on sale), while a fully specced-out MacBook Pro can cost as much as $3,500.

• Ultrabooks ($1,000 to $3,500): These high-end laptops have enough processing power to handle tasks like photo and video editing. They typically have a sleek and modern aesthetic, too. MacBooks also fall into this category.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025 no matter your budget What are the best laptops under $500 in 2025?

We've put together a detailed guide to the best budget laptops for under $500, including some Chromebook picks. Check out all six contenders below, updated as of August 2025.

Will tariffs affect laptop prices?

The short answer: They already have.

President Donald Trump's tariff policy left major tech companies scrambling to import devices before the new levies took effect. Other companies like Nintendo and Razer delayed orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and a new line of Razer Blade laptops. And Asus recently announced higher prices for select laptop models.

With tariff news coming hot and fast, we expect more price shakeups in the months ahead. Many laptops are manufactured in China and Southeast Asia, a region targeted by President Trump. Already, big-name laptop brands may have to increase their MSRPs. We expect more volatility in tech product pricing as the tariff situation evolves. So, if you find a cheap laptop you like at a price you can afford, don't take that price for granted.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

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

Crept.

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

SNUCK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Used to patch up a wound.

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

GAUZE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A collection of songs or photos.

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

ALBUM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To touch lightly.

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

GRAZE

Final Hurdle hint

A giver.

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

DONOR

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

The moon is still looking big and bright in the sky after last night's full moon, so what can we see? Keep reading to find out what's going on with the lunar phase now.

The lunar phase is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 10?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Aug. 10, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 98% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's still lots to see tonight, including the Mare Fecunditatis, the Copernicus Crater, and the Oceanus Procellarum, all visible with the naked eye.

With the addition of binoculars and a telescope, you'll see much more, so if you have either, pull them out for tonight. Binoculars will give you a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin, while a telescope will let you see the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free on Channel 5. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Chelsea won the Club World Cup earlier this summer, and they'll be hoping to carry those impressive performances into the new Premier League season. In an effort to sharpen up before the opening round of fixtures, they face AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. AC Milan?

Chelsea vs. AC Milan kicks off at 3 p.m. BST on Aug. 10. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free

Chelsea vs. AC Milan is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 5 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Live stream Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. AC Milan without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 5?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 5, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Chelsea vs. AC Milan for free with ExpressVPN.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Dating is a competitive game, and you should do everything you can to give yourself a chance of success. Looking your best and smelling fresh is a good place to start, but nothing shortens your odds of success like signing up to a dating site.

The problem with this tactic is that there are just so many dating sites out there to consider, each with a different set of features that will suit some people better than others. It's difficult to know which site is best for you, and you could easily spend hours researching all of the sites on offer without a definitive answer.

We know that you don't have time for all of that, so we've set out to make things a little easier for you.

What are the benefits of using dating apps?

By subscribing to a dating site, you're shortening your odds of finding a connection. It's as simple as that.

Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.

SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.

Is online dating worth the hassle?

Sentiments aside, we have some hard data to back our reasoning for Why Online Dating Is Worthwhile™: Statista predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, compared to 44.2 million users in 2020. A study from Stanford released in 2019 asserted that online dating is officially the most common way for couples to meet, rounding out at nearly 40 percent of couples having first met online.

This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. Though people are eager to get back to doing as many things IRL as possible now, dating apps are still a great place to find someone, whether you want a relationship or are just looking to get nasty.

And yes, though there are algorithms that dictate what profiles pop up on your screen, we firmly believe that the stars aligning still comes into play. After all, the person who signs up on the app and is looking for love at exactly the same time you are is up to fate and the universe, proving that online dating romance is very much alive and well.

Because it's not 2007 anymore, the need for mobile-friendly online dating isn't just a millennial thing — people over 40 don't have time to sit around at their home desktops, either. Dating sites that are older than most members of Gen Z (like Match and eharmony) have been forced to give serious attention to their smartphone counterparts if they don't want to be outgrown.

However, that statistical promise still requires patience and a game plan, the game plan is choosing the dating app with features that best fit your lifestyle — and the lifestyle of the type of person you're looking for. Are you looking for an app strictly for sex or an app more serious than Tinder but less serious than eharmony? Or maybe, you'd just really love to find an app where queer women aren't relentlessly sexualized by creeps and pestered by unicorn hunters.

Should you use free dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users.

The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.

You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What is the best dating site?

We're sorry to break it to you like this, but there isn't a single dating site that is better than the rest. Instead, there are a lot of sites and apps with similar features and packages, and the best option for you really comes down to your own set of preferences.

To make the decision process a whole lot easier for everyone, we have lined up a selection of the most popular sites in the dating game, including leading sites like Match, and Eharmony. All you need to do is pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites in 2025.

The wait is nearly over. Netflix has dropped the first glimpse of what’s in store for Season 2 of its hit live-action One Piece adaptation.

Unveiled during the One Piece Day celebration in Tokyo, the teaser introduces a wave of new characters sailing into the story: the enigmatic Miss All Sunday, aka Nico Robin (Lera Abova), the cunning Miss Wednesday (Charitha Chandran), and the fierce Marine Vice Admiral Smoker the White Hunter (Callum Kerr). In May, Netflix also teased the arrival of the fan-favorite reindeer doctor, Tony Tony Chopper.

SEE ALSO: The first look at Netflix's 'Pride and Prejudice' is finally here and omg

If internet chatter and the teaser’s hints are any indication, Season 2 will wrap up the final arc of the East Blue Saga (Loguetown) before plunging into most of the Arabasta Saga — including Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island. Netflix has already confirmed a Season 3, which will likely tackle the entirety of the Arabasta arc.

Season 1 premiered back in 2023, but the new season isn’t expected until sometime in 2026 — a longer gap than the time span covered in the manga from its very first chapter to the current one (Chapter 1156). Here’s hoping we won’t be waiting quite as long for Season 3.

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: To have an effect on someone

• Green: To gather

• Blue: Fantasy films or books

• Purple: School subjects

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: Influence

• Green: Amass

• Blue: Kinds of fiction

• Purple: Starting with math and science classes, for short

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 #792 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Influence: JUICE, PULL, SWAY, WEIGHT

• Amass: CLUSTER, COLLECT, CONCENTRATE, GROUP

• Kinds of fiction: FAN, HISTORICAL, PULP, SCIENCE

• Starting with math and science classes, for short: BIOPIC, CALCIUM, CHEMISE, TRIGLYCERIDE

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

Are you also playing NYT 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 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A rip-roaring good time

The words are celebration-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of fun gatherings.

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 Parties.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 10

• Shindig

• Hoedown

• Luau

• Parties

• Blowout

• Jamboree

• Wingding

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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Fresh and cooling.

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 M.

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...

MINTY.

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.

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.

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 Mini crossword answers, hints for August 8, 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: Ways to throw a baseball

• Green: Hockey fouls

• Blue: Women's hockey

• Purple: Roll Tide QBs

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: Baseball Pitching Arm Slots

• Green: Hockey Penalties

• Blue: PWHL Teams

• Purple: Former Alabama QBs

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 #320 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Baseball Pitching Arm Slots - OVERHAND, SIDEARM, SUBMARINE, THREE-QUARTERS

• Hockey Penalties - BOARDING, CROSS-CHECKING, HOOKING, INTERFERENCE

• PWHL Teams - CHARGE, FLEET, FROST, SIRENS

• Former Alabama QBs - NAMATH, STABLER, STARR, YOUNG

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.

Microsoft is quietly winding down its Lens scanning app for iOS and Android, the company confirmed in a support document.

Formerly known as Office Lens, the app lets users convert images into PDFs, PowerPoint slides, and Excel files, handling both handwritten and printed documents with ease. It was simple, reliable, and widely used — but it’s now on the chopping block. Microsoft plans to officially retire the app on Sept. 15, 2025.

SEE ALSO: Apple will soon be ending support for Intel-based Macs

Support will end on Nov. 15, 2025, when Lens will be pulled from both the App Store and Google Play. Users will still be able to create scans until Dec. 15, 2025, but after that, the feature will be disabled. Existing scans will remain accessible as long as the app stays installed on the device.

The move marks the end of an app that’s seen more than 50 million downloads on Google Play and nearly 136,000 ratings on Apple’s App Store.

Microsoft is pointing users toward Microsoft 365 Copilot, which carries over most of Lens’s scanning capabilities. However, Copilot lacks some of Lens’s biggest perks, including direct saving to Microsoft Suite apps and accessibility features like read-aloud support and Immersive Reader integration.

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 Saturday, August 9, 2025:

AcrossFriendly and pleasant

• The answer is Amiable.

Irritatingly self-important

• The answer is Pompous.

Cheerleaders' accessories

• The answer is Pompoms.

Barely ___ out a living

• The answer is Eke.

"We haven't decided yet," on schedules

• The answer is TBA.

Radio exposure for a song

• The answer is Airplay.

___ of two evils

• The answer is Lesser.

Pancake mix ingredient

• The answer is Egg.

DownChallenge to a court ruling

• The answer is Appeal.

Dodgers slugger Betts

• The answer is Mookie.

Deeply involve oneself (in)

• The answer is Immerse.

Smartphone download

• The answer is App.

Illegal copy

• The answer is Bootleg.

Kind of support for the lower back

• The answer is Lumbar.

English class assignment

• The answer is Essay.

French soccer club that won its first Champions League title in 2025, for short

• The answer is PSG.

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

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

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

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

And just like that, I found myself thinking: I want the lives of those YouTubers.

See, I'm a millennial raised in the infancy of the internet — the iPhone was still a novelty during high school — and there are times I feel the generational chasm spanning myself, Gen Z, and, more extremely, the children of Gen Alpha. Our digital worlds are just different, and naturally so.

Younger folks want to be influencers more than any other career, polling has shown, which is a job that simply did not exist for a good portion of my life. It's an impulse I didn't fully comprehend, really, until I stumbled upon the channel Bob Does Sports. I get it now. Because, as a man in his 30s, I can safely say without a little bit of shame, I want the life those YouTubers have.

SEE ALSO: KallMeKris and Celina Spooky Boo talk making a horror film after a career as creators

If I could succinctly summarize what the channel does, I'd go with something like: It's three dudes (and a few producers) who play golf together, mess around, play golf and mess around, gorge on copious amounts of food, travel across the globe, and did I mention mess around and play golf? To quote the parlance of our times: my dream date, cute.

Along the way, it’s turned into a lucrative career — over 1 million YouTube subscribers, major sponsorships, hangouts with famous athletes, and life as parasocial celebrities to, well, mostly dudes in my demographic.

"We never want to lose that feeling of how crazy it is," Robby Berger, the Bob behind the eponymous Bob Does Sports channel, told Mashable in an interview over Zoom. "Because, 'til this day, it's very, very hard for us to wrap our heads around — seeing [the channel] grow and seeing it get bigger, and going to golf courses and seeing how many fans are coming up [to us]."

Robby — aka Bob, aka Bobby Fairways, aka the D Man or Da — is the bandleader of the main trio, which is rounded out by Joseph Demare — aka Joey Coldcuts, aka Cutsy, aka the D man or Da (don't ask) — and Nick Stubbe, aka Fat Perez, aka FP. But real BDS heads know and love the producers Jet, Big Ticket, and J Bone, too. It's a carnival of characters, and the videos do a good job of highlighting their quirks. Watching the videos feels like being a silent participant in a buddies' trip — there's golf, inside jokes, and general fooling around from guys in their 30s. Typically speaking, each video features the group playing golf with some kind of challenge. That could be a score, a win-or-lose match-up, an amount of food to eat, a number of drinks to drink, or some combination of those goals. The golf matters — you root for these guys — but it's more about the comedy of the group.

And it might feel like a buddies trip because everyone involved is — or was, really — a normal guy. Berger and Demare met years ago working at the Four Season in Beverly Hills. Stubbe was a desk jockey working an accountant gig. Now, even if you're not a golf fan, you might recognize Berger from his funny TikTok account. He's been working toward being a creator for a while, but it was golfing with Coldcuts — and later FP — that really skyrocketed things.

So, where are they now?

• A channel with 1.1 million subscribers.

• A sponsorship deal with Callaway, one of the biggest names in golf.

• Their own alcoholic drink line (Have A Day) and clothing line (Breezy).

• Videos with some of the biggest names in sports, including Josh Allen, Jon Rahm, a few Yankees, and more.

• Alongside Barstool, leading the upcoming Internet Invitational, a newly created YouTube golf tournament with a $1 million prize pool.

A few years ago, Berger was a part-time comedian who'd show up to sporting events to heckle the pros (playfully). Now, golf magazines write about his every move.

"It feels like these little moments," Perez told Mashable. "It's like a step ladder of things that's just like: That's wild, that's wild, this is crazy, how are we here?"

They all talked about experiencing moments like that, but perhaps none more than their match against popular pro Max Homa. That video has racked up more than 3 million views and was an amazing, funny, and suspenseful golf match. It was also a sign that the golf world saw BDS as legitimate.

A rising tide lifts all boats, and it's not like the BDS crew are the only YouTube golf creators spiking in popularity. Counterparts and frequent collaborators like Grant Horvat and the Bryan Bros, for instance, are super popular. YouTube golf, in general, has become a genre in and of itself — this amid golf's post-2020 rise in popularity online and otherwise — and has led to creators getting invited to participate in both PGA Tour and LIV Golf events.

SEE ALSO: Online, golf is for everyone

What separates BDS, however, is that they're genuinely funny while playing the stuffiest sport known to man. Horvat might be YouTube golf's "golden boy" — he seems to draw his biggest crowd from younger golfers — but he simply could not crush an entire large pizza while playing like the BDS guys. Nobody else in golf is quoting deep internet lore. Nobody else in golf is fervently debating the merits of chili in hot weather. And nothing in the world is making me laugh as hard as Cutsy — who famously runs a bit hot — melting down as everyone else watches.

"If Bob had his way, I'd be the sequel of The Truman Show... He would just have eyes on me at all times. I think I would just be living in a simulation or something." - Joseph Demare

In some ways, that's the magic of the group. Between their videos, social presence, podcast, and more, you start to feel like you know these guys. You're hanging out with them. And all of them are one-of-a-kind, Coldcuts maybe most of all.

"If Bob had his way, I'd be the sequel of The Truman Show," Cutsy told Mashable. "He would just have eyes on me at all times. I think I would just be living in a simulation or something."

So when they're out in public, people playfully give them shit because they feel like old pals. It's a funny phenomenon. People love to rib FP for struggling in their food challenges, despite, you know, the word Fat being in his name.

"At the golf course or airports, [I'll get], 'You've got to step up your game with the donuts,'" FP said while laughing.

Bob, poor Bob, gets a lot of shit or even unsolicited advice about his golf game. FP is a genuinely good golfer, Cutsy can smack the hell out of the ball and is improving, while Bob...Bob sometimes fights demons out there. So, yes, like every golfer knows, other golfers can't help themselves but step in and share their tips.

"My mistake is, I'll listen to everything. I'll take whatever they give me," Berger said.

Still, talking to these guys, you get the feeling that they understand how fortunate they are to do what they do. For dudes our age, one golf buddies' trip a year is an amazing luxury. They do it for a living. It's a career path that didn't exist five years ago, let alone something they could've dreamt up as kids.

"I'm pretty sure my grandparents have no idea what I do," FP said. "We'll have 2-million-viewed videos. And then I make, like, Virginia Golfer Magazine, some free magazine, and they're like, 'Oh, look! You've made it!.' I'm like, 'Grandma, you gotta look over here, like, turn the computer on.'"

SEE ALSO: Why 'College Football '25' means so much to its long-suffering fans

To see such a quick rise in popularity — and to see their lives shift entirely — it makes sense that the trio said they expect to keep doing more of the same. They emphasized that as they grow, they know fun golf videos are the bread and butter. But that doesn't mean they don't think about stepping it up. Late nights at Airbnbs often end with producers pitching more and more outlandish ideas.

"Jet wanted to do a food and drinking challenge, combined, for 18 holes," Coldcuts said, noting the idea got vetoed. "It's just like, 'Yo, we're gonna get stretchered out and airlifted to the ER."

There was also a Jet-pitched idea of eating an entire Thanksgiving meal...in a golf cart...in nine holes.

"One Turkey in Nine Holes, like, what's the title?" FP joked. "It feels like the guy just wants to see us suffer sometimes, which, you know, I don't blame him."

So yes, things might get weirder on the channel, but don't expect the formula to change. Berger said doing what they do has opened unimaginable doors. They'll keep at it and see what slides open next.

"Right now, we don't really want to change anything," Berger said. "Because we're having so much fun, and we're able to make a business out of it."

Battery life on the devices we use every day is never enough. We’re always scrambling for solutions to increase it when running low on power, be it a portable charger or tethering ourselves to the nearest wall outlet with an adapter plug in hand. But every now and then, we’ll lose track of the energy levels on these products. 

Our devices often die at the most inopportune times, like on the way to the gym or when driving to pick up a toddler from daycare. It sucks not having battery life when you need it most. Well, lo and behold, there is a workaround for this predicament. 

Ever heard of reverse charging? You’ve probably stumbled upon the term when reading Mashable’s latest headphones reviews (it’s been our priority to highlight releases that support the technology). This is one of the more underrated features of modern devices like smartphones and earbuds that everyone should know about, especially those who are terrible with battery life management. 

I’m here to give you a crash course on the topic and explain how it can be a lifesaver. All that is needed for the most part is a USB-C charging cable, and we have three solid options to look at once the lesson is over.

What is reverse charging, and how does it work?

Reverse charging is the ability of a smartphone (or another device) to transfer power to another device without using a charger, wall outlet, or power bank. In other words, you can charge up your AirPods using your iPhone. This can be done wirelessly, or more often, with a compatible charging cable.

I do this all the time when my fitness headphones are almost dead and require extra juice to get through lengthy workouts (they’ll be connected to my Google Pixel 9 when performing pre-workout stretches).

The one misconception about reverse charging

Reverse charging isn’t exclusive to smartphones. In fact, most portable devices employ this feature. You can use a laptop to recharge a smartphone or wireless earbuds. An iPhone can even be used to recharge a portable speaker (*cough* the Beats Pill cough). 

Some of the best portable Bluetooth speakers come with a built-in power bank to recharge smaller devices. For the ones that don’t, they can rely on a smartphone for an electric surge.

What’s this about wireless reverse charging?

Samsung deserves credit for popularizing wireless reverse charging. The company’s PowerShare technology debuted on Galaxy smartphones several years back, allowing users to wirelessly charge a secondary device by placing it on the back of the phone. This includes Samsung smartwatches and wireless earbuds, as well as other Android- and Apple-based devices (iPhone, AirPods). Mobile manufacturers like Google, Huawei, and Xiaomi also offer this feature on their latest smartphones. It’s something to keep in mind when your buds are near depletion and that brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is sitting in your pocket with plenty of power to spare.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Our three favorite charging cables for reverse charging

Beats USB-C to USB-C Cable

Beats just launched a variety of charging cables that pair perfectly with its popular wireless audio releases, such as the Pill portable speaker and Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds. The cable length is adequate, and its charging strength is superior to what the standard iPhone cable delivers. Furthermore, the USB-C version grants lossless audio playback for the AirPods Max and current Beats headphones (e.g., Solo 4, Studio Pro). | Read our full Beats charging cable review.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats USB-C to USB-C Cable $18.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats USB-C to Lightning Cable $18.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable

Designed to “boost a 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro) to 50% in just 26 minutes,” Anker’s flagship charging cable comes in three lengths (1 ft, 3 ft, and 6 ft.) and has extreme temperature resilience to maintain ultra-fast 240W charging without overheating devices. It’s a super-thick cable covered in flexible hard-woven material that can bend up to 300,000 times before breaking. Not to mention it comes with ridiculously fast transfer speeds; you can send four 3-minute songs to another device in one second. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable $18.19 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $7.80 Get Deal

UGreen 240W PD3.1 USB-C to USB-C Cable

This budget alternative charges slightly faster than Anker’s cable and can be used with a vast number of devices. This includes laptops, phones, tablets, and even handheld gaming consoles (e.g., Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck). It works best when paired with brand accessories like the Uno Charger, which is a cool-looking power adapter with an LCD screen that informs you of charging statuses via facial expressions. 

Opens in a new window Credit: UGREEN UGREEN USB-C to USB-C Cable $9.67 at Amazon
$11.99 Save $2.32 Get Deal

Microsoft started name-dropping laptops called Copilot+ PCs in the middle of 2024, hyping them like the second coming of the IBM PC Model 5150. They're "the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built" and "the most significant change to the Windows platform in decades," it declared. But if you shear away the marketing fluff, what does the term "Copilot+ PC" mean on a practical level? What is a Copilot+ PC, anyway?

Here's a little secret: A Copilot+ PC is essentially just a newer Windows laptop with several unique AI features. There's a little more to it, but it's not as complicated as it sounds.

Below, I've compiled a simple guide for shoppers who want to know exactly what they're getting when they buy one of these so-called AI PCs, including their spec minimums.

First off: What is Copilot?

Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) is an AI assistant developed by Microsoft and powered by a custom version of ChatGPT by OpenAI. The Copilot app comes pre-installed on every new Windows 11 laptop, and you'll see it pinned to the taskbar or on the Start menu when you boot up your machine. All models released since 2024 also come with physical keyboard shortcuts for Copilot. You can remap that hotkey if you don't use it, but there will always be a little Copilot logo on it.

If you don't have a Windows laptop, you can access Copilot on the web at copilot.com or install the Copilot app yourself for free. It's available for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android.

So what does 'Copilot+ PC' mean, exactly? Nine different laptop manufacturers make Copilot+ PCs. Credit: Microsoft

A Copilot+ PC is a Windows laptop with a certain kind of newer processor that enables some exclusive AI-powered software features. They're often called "AI PCs."

Microsoft announced the Copilot+ PC category in May 2024 and the first wave of devices launched a month later, so the genre is still pretty fresh. Beyond Microsoft's own models, Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, MSI, and Samsung all make Copilot+ PCs, too. They currently start at $699.99 and are sold at Best Buy, Amazon, and Costco, as well as on their manufacturers' websites.

Copilot+ PC features The "Click to Do" tool on Copilot+ PCs is like a smarter right-click menu. Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft's suite of Copilot+ PC features (or "experiences," as it likes to call them) isn't available on other Windows laptops:

• Click to Do suggests various actions when you highlight text and images (beyond your standard "Copy"). If you select a paragraph on a website, for example, Click to Do will offer to summarize it, turn it into a list, and rewrite it in different tones.

• Improved Windows search can find files and settings on your computer without needing their exact names or correct spelling.

• Live Captions translates video and audio into English from over 44 languages in real time. It's virtually identical to Google's Live Caption tool for Chrome and Android devices.

• Cocreator is an image generator in Microsoft Paint.

• Image Creator and Restyle Image are an image generator and a photo-filtering tool in Microsoft Photos, respectively. Some Copilot+ PCs have an additional image enhancement feature in Photos called Super Resolution, and the full lineup will get it later this year.

• Recall takes constant screenshots of your on-screen activities and makes them searchable. It's controversial for security reasons; in order to use it, you have to opt in to saving screenshots and enable a biometric sign-in option.

• Windows Studio Effects are webcam tools. They can keep you in frame, make your face appear better-lit, blur your background, add filters, minimize background noises, and adjust your gaze to make it look like you're making direct eye contact. (I've tried that one, and it's kind of freaky.)

Copilot+ PC requirements A Copilot+ PC has to have an NPU — but not just any NPU. Credit: Microsoft

In order to run these features, Copilot+ PCs have to meet some spec standards. Microsoft notes that these could change over time, but at present, they include:

• At least 16GB of RAM

• At least 256GB of SSD or UFS storage

• A processor with a decent NPU (or neural processing unit, an extra bit of hardware for handling AI tasks)

More specifically, a Copilot+ PC's NPU has to be capable of performing at least 40 TOPS (or Trillion Operations Per Second, a metric that quantifies AI performance). Forty TOPS is on the high end among modern laptops' NPUs, which typically max out at 50 TOPS. To boil this down, it that means Copilot+ PCs are some of the fastest laptops when it comes to AI processing.

There are currently three types of laptop processors that tick this box of having an NPU with at least 40 TOPS:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors (Snapdragon X, X Plus, and X Elite)

• Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors, aka Intel Lunar Lake (Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 5 228V, 5 236V, 5 238V, 7 256V, 7 258V, 7 266V, 7 268V, and 9 288V)

• AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 7 350, 9 365, 9 HX 370, and 9 HX 375)

An important aside: Snapdragon X series processors are ARM-based chips, which means they work differently than x86-based Intel and AMD processors. Because of this, they're not compatible with certain apps that are only designed to run on x86 systems — mainly specialty apps like AutoCAD and some school software. Many top public universities actively discourage their students from getting Snapdragon-powered laptops for this exact reason. Keep that in mind if you're shopping for a new Windows laptop; your main use case could disqualify a third of your options.

Copilot+ PC reviews: Models we love

Mashable has been testing Copilot+ PCs since the category launched, and we've found that they tend to score especially well on battery life — outlasting even newer Apple MacBooks. Some of our favorite models include the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, a polished-looking powerhouse that's our top Windows laptop overall; the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, our No. 1 convertible (and our reigning battery life champ); and the Asus ZenBook A14, an ultraportable that comes in under $1,000.

For more info, check out our guide to the best Windows laptops.

Shop our favorite Copilot+ PCs: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.99 Shop Now Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,749.99 Shop Now Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999.99 Shop Now

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

Starting college comes with a lot of tough choices: which dorm to live in, which major to pursue, when to pull an all-nighter, and how many parties to attend on the weekend. But picking the right laptop for school shouldn't be one of them.

Here at Mashable, we're constantly testing laptops based on an exhaustive in-house methodology that combines real-world use with performance benchmarking. With this intel in my back pocket, I sought to determine which of our top-reviewed laptops fit the bill for college students this coming semester, prioritizing value and portability.

I also researched leading universities' hardware recommendations to identify the processors, RAM, storage, and software compatibility you'll need. (More on that in the "What to look for in a college laptop" section.)

I settled on five winners across a range of price points, and they should last until graduation or longer. I'm confident they'll all perform well, fit easily into a backpack, and endure long days on campus.

What's the best laptop for college students? Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

To answer this question, you have to answer another one first: Windows or Mac?

The new M4 MacBook Air gets the nod as the best MacBook for college. It offers quiet power; a premium, portable design; an above-average webcam; and all-day battery life for a stellar price. Power users pursuing majors that involve intensive specialty software (such as graphic design, engineering, and computer science) should upgrade to a MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip. We tested and loved the 16-inch model, a gorgeous beast of a machine, but a cheaper 14-inch version is also available with nearly identical specs.

Windows users will do well with the Acer Swift X 14 (2024), a 14-inch clamshell laptop with plenty of power, including a dedicated GPU for more demanding coursework, plus a good mix of ports and a vivid OLED display. And if you want a Chromebook for note-taking and other basic tasks, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the best model we've tried. And in one of the best back-to-school laptop deals I've spotted so far, a lesser version of it is on sale for under $400 at Best Buy.

What to look for in a college laptop Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Credit: Sarah Chaney

Among the 20 top-ranking public universities whose recommendations I read, half tell their students to purchase lightweight Windows 11 laptops or MacBooks that are less than two years old. (Some say you can go even older, but I wouldn't for the sake of future-proofing.) Most schools advise students to purchase laptops with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage at a minimum, but note that more is always better if your budget allows. I'd approach your processor options in the same way. For Windows laptops, start with a mid-range option, like an Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 chip, and work your way up if possible. For MacBooks, I suggest the M4 chip for value reasons, but more on that in each product breakdown.

Students pursuing humanities majors might be able to get away with just 256GB of storage, but I would supplement that with an external hard drive. In contrast, those enrolled in engineering, graphic design, animation, or computer science programs should default to high-end configurations with at least 24GB or 32GB of memory and 1TB of storage to accommodate their heavier workloads. Some schools also recommend tacking on a dedicated GPU (i.e, Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics) for such coursework.

A few schools noted that ARM-based Windows laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors may not work with certain software and peripherals that students will need to use. That includes AutoCAD, a popular 2D and 3D design app. We like a lot of Snapdragon-powered laptops, as they tend to be fast and long-lasting, but I've kept them off my list of picks to help students avoid potential compatibility issues. Anything with an Intel or AMD CPU is a go.

Along similar lines, a couple of the schools tell their students not to buy Chromebooks, which are web-based laptops with lesser specs and lower price tags. I've included one great Chromebook on my list for any shoppers looking for a cheaper laptop for note-taking and sending emails, but know that it shouldn't be used as your primary computer, and that it may also be incompatible with certain specialty software.

No matter what kind of laptop you choose, be sure to budget for an extended warranty with accidental damage protection, as suggested by half of my research pool. For reference, AppleCare+ for Mac costs $69.99 to $149.99 a year (or slightly less with education pricing), depending on the MacBook model.

Finally, I don't recommend purchasing a laptop for college without first checking to see if your major or program has any specific hardware requirements, as they might differ from your school's broader guidance. For example, Purdue University approves MacBooks for its general student population but tells certain engineering majors to steer clear of them.