Mashable

Smartwatches have a singular advantage over other devices: around-the-clock connectivity. Connectivity to you, that is. Your phone is in your pocket; your earbuds are only worn when you're listening to something. But a smartwatch rides on your wrist, with brief breaks for charging. Which makes it an ideal health tracking device. 

Now, with the debut of the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung has gone all in on health metrics from your watch. From activity to sleep to stress levels to body composition, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 can track just about everything you do. (Who needs a fitness tracker?) It takes a holistic approach to determine how you're feeling and how it can help you feel better.

Data isn't great unless you present it in a way that makes sense and feels actionable. Samsung's approach is getting to be very good. I've been using a 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (the smallest one) for 10 days; here are my thoughts so far.

Galaxy Watch 8 design: Thinner hardware and the return of the 'squircle' Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The first notable upgrade on the Watch 8: it's thinner and lies flatter on the wrist than previous generations of the Galaxy Watch. More precisely, this watch is 11 percent thinner, and the sensor pack on the back is also flatter, meaning the watch is theoretically more comfortable to wear. Personally, as a bigger guy with plenty of padding already, it's hard for me to notice.

What is easy to notice: the redesign of the strap mechanism. It's similar to the strap on the 2024 Galaxy Watch Ultra, although the straps for one won't fit on the other. The main change is how the lugs attach to the case. While the Watch Ultra lugs angled down to more naturally conform to the shape of your wrist, these come straight out of the sides of the watch. 

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The result, regardless of wrist size, is that the watch will lay more flat. I find it more comfortable, and I think the smaller your wrists are, the more you'll agree. I'm definitely not a fan of proprietary lug systems for third-party bands, however.

The other major redesign involves the Samsung "cushion," as the company calls it. Last year's Watch Ultra had a sort of "squircle" design to it with a round watch face on a rounded square base, and this year the Korean tech brand is doubling down on the squircle. 

To my eyes, the black face on the silver background is a classy look. I originally wore the watch with the included white silicone band but switched to a metal link bracelet after about five days. I was surprised by how good the Watch 8 looks with this dressier metal band.

Normally, I'm not a metal band kind of guy. I generally skew toward fabric and velcro, but when I saw just how good the watch looked with the metal strap, I had to try it. I'm not a complete convert, but definitely don't mind it on this watch.

Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable

The primary difference between the Watch 8 and the Watch 8 Classic is the absence of the rotating bezel. The Watch 8 still has a touch-sensitive rim around the face that you can run a finger around as a "pretend" rotating bezel, but it's just not the same. It can also be problematic if you try to swipe up with your finger. If you're too close to the edge, you accidentally trigger the bezel instead.

There are two buttons on the side of the watch that I barely used, preferring the swipe-based navigation system. The main thing I used the buttons for was to activate Google Gemini AI, which is fun to use on a watch. And since the Apple Watch has very limited AI functionality (at least for now), this will be a much better smartwatch for AI nerds looking for a wearable.

Galaxy Watch 8 software changes Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This is the first smartwatch to run Gemini on the watch face. That's a big win for Samsung, especially with new Google hardware likely coming soon. In my experience, Gemini and Google Assistant are basically six of one, half dozen of the other. Still, if the death of Google Assistant is all that will sate Google's appetite for product murder, then this is another step in that direction.

Other than Gemini, OneUI 8 brings a few new enhancements, including the "pill". This is basically Samsung's version of Apple's Dynamic Island. It shows you information at a glance in a pill-shaped graphic at the bottom of the watch face. This feels like it belongs on the watch face, even more so than on a phone screen. I dig it.

There's also a comprehensive set of widgets that you can set up in the widget panels to the right of the watch face. You can choose which widgets you want to see and reorganize them as needed. This is very similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover — but again, what was annoying on a phone screen works better on a smartwatch.

With the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung wants to keep you healthy

The main focus of the software comes from Samsung Health, which runs on the watch and on your Android phone. This is home for all the biometric data the watch collects, including a new metric: antioxidant levels in your skin. To measure your antioxidants, you need to take off the watch and press your thumb against the sensor on the back of the watch while you initiate the scan from your phone.

How useful is this? It's debatable for two reasons. Firstly, when you measure your antioxidants, the high end of the scale is labelled "adequate" — as if to say, even if you eat all the veggies in the world, you'll only ever be adequate. Second, after checking with other gadget reviewers, no one I knew rated it above "poor." 

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

I'm not sure if that's an indictment of the meat-eating culture here in the U-S-of-A or Samsung's measurements. Suffice it to say, I don't eat enough veggies — and chances are, neither do you. 

A lot of the rest of Samsung's health software has been present for at least a year, including energy scores, sleep tracking, AGEs index, BMI, and more. Overall, I like how Samsung organizes the information into an easy-to-understand set of data that you can use to improve your health. For example, for sleep coaching, you're first assigned a sleep animal, which represents how you sleep. Apparently, my animal is a penguin because I wake up several times at night. Sleep coaching will give you suggestions for how to sleep better, like hitting your sleep target time consistently.

What I'm not fond of is how easy it is to dismiss that information. A coach is only as effective as the attention it demands, and most of Samsung's coaching instructions are easy to just swipe away. I'm not sure what more Samsung could demand of someone aside from a tapped "Okay" button, but honestly, this feels like low-hanging fruit for AI, which is what Samsung is supposedly all about these days.

Samsung has a sleep coach that makes suggestions, but I would like to see it go further. For example, if a sleep coach pops up on your watch and says "Hey, you're kind of stressed out and it's almost time for bed. How about some meditation?" and you dismiss it, AI could tell you the next night, "Hey, so you ignored our meditation suggestion and you slept pretty badly last night. How about tonight?" Or it could say, "Hey, you relaxed for a good 20 minutes before bedtime, but then you continued to use your phone for two more hours. Maybe let's not do that tonight?"

Battery life is... fine

I tested this watch over a two-week period, which included two road trips. Often, I found myself away from Wi-Fi and using my phone and watch frequently. I also wasn't always able to let my watch die completely from day to day, which skewed my battery longevity data. I had another fun-filled day of activities planned for the following morning, so I would end up having to plug the watch in when it had 30-40 percent left, as opposed to 15 percent, which is what I normally use to determine battery life. Having said all that, I did get some good results from battery testing.

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

There's no question this watch can last you a full day on a charge. It definitely won't last you two days. I averaged about 33 to 35 hours per charge when I let the watch get down to around 5 percent. It took over an hour to charge back to full, which usually took between 65 and 75 minutes. Bearing in mind that this is the smallest watch with the smallest battery, that's not too bad. I'm not fond of how long it takes to charge, but I can't argue with the battery life.

More than once, I wore the watch for a day and a night, then charged it the next morning when I went to eat breakfast or grab a shower. That was usually enough to top it up for the rest of that day. Which is fine since I never wear the watch in the shower anyway. (I tested it in a pool and on a few water rides, however.)

Not long ago, I would have put this battery life on a par with other smartwatches. But in the past 18 months or so, OnePlus and Google have shown us what's possible with a dual-chip architecture that offloads most of the basic health tracking to a lower-powered processor.  Those watches have battery life measured in days rather than hours. 

I'm not sure why Samsung has not followed this trend. Still, 35 hours is adequate battery life, and definitely delivers more energy than my vegetable intake.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 worth it? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I say yes. I really like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, despite the battery life. I love the classy look, the software is really tight, and the Google Gemini integration is a big perk. However, unless you really want that Gemini app or the new antioxidant feature, there's also not much incentive to upgrade if you already have last year's Galaxy Watch 7.

Samsung is a popular enough brand that it's not hard to find third-party bands, but if you're like me and you have a shelf full of other straps that you have bought and like, you'll be out of luck, unless you buy a third-party converter to use your third-party straps.

If you have a smartwatch older than the Galaxy Watch 7, then the new Watch 8 is worth the upgrade. The look is polarizing, but I'm a fan, and I would love to see Samsung carry this design forward, personally. The rest of the watch is a treasure trove of data and health metrics. In theory, if you follow the advice of the watch without outright dismissing it, it can help you live a better life. And you'll look good doing it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $349.99
Get a $50 credit at Amazon Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $349.99 at Samsung
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SAVE $80: As of Aug. 9, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's 32% off their list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 at Amazon
$249 Save $80 Get Deal

The battle of the best earbuds is a pretty tough race, but the AirPods Pro are still a huge standout — especially now that they feature USB-C charging. And we love them even more when they're on sale.

As of Aug. 9, the AirPods Pro 2 are down to just $169 at Amazon instead of the usual $249. That's a savings of 32% and just $20 shy of their best-ever price from Prime Day. The Apple earbuds do fall to $169 pretty regularly, but that doesn't mean this isn't a solid deal. That's only $40 more than the AirPods 4 at full price, which don't even offer noise cancellation.

SEE ALSO: Shop Apple's most affordable iPad for its lowest price yet

We particularly love the rich and well-balanced sound of the AirPods Pro, although we wish they offered customizable EQ. They also offer best-in-class noise cancellation, decent battery life (up to six hours per charge, 30 hours with case), and seamless Apple ecosystem integration. The Pros regularly top our lists of the best headphones, and our readers seem to love them just as much. "For portability, active noise cancellation, and balanced sound, your search ends with the AirPods Pro," our reviewer writes.

Despite seemingly being in every movie out right now, Pedro Pascal isn't in Zach Cregger's horror film Weapons. However, he almost was! Pascal would have played grieving father Archer (Josh Brolin), but scheduling conflicts forced him to bow out. However, Weapons still features a surprising similarity to a major Pascal project: The Last of Us.

The film centers on the disappearance of 17 children, all from the same third grade class at Maybrook Elementary. One night, at 2:17 a.m., they all left their homes and ran off into the darkness, leaving the Maybrook community shaken.

SEE ALSO: 'Weapons' review: You're not ready for Zach Cregger's wild new horror film

In one scene, Maybrook Elementary principal Marcus (Benedict Wong) takes a much-needed break from his job and sits down for a TV meal with his husband Terry (Clayton Farris). They're watching a nature documentary about the Cordyceps fungus. More specifically, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis or zombie-ant fungus, a parasitic fungus which takes over the brains of ants and forces them to move to locations where the fungus can grow. (It then sprouts from the dead ant — spooky!)

Real-life Cordyceps inspired The Last of Us' terrifying fungal infection. However, in Weapons, it also clues us into how the film's main antagonist operates, serving as a chilling reminder of what's to come. Spoilers ahead, so if you haven't seen the movie, you should make like Weapons' children and run far, far away.

Why is Weapons so obsessed with Cordyceps and parasites? Cary Christopher in "Weapons." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Cordyceps documentary scene isn't the only time Weapons mentions a frightening parasite. In one of the film's many nightmare sequences, teacher Justine (Julia Garner) walks into her classroom and sees all of the lost children back at their desks. On the whiteboard behind her, there's a list of parasites.

Later, when Weapons turns its focus on Alex (Cary Christopher), the one child from the class who didn't disappear, we hear Justine teaching the class about parasites, asking for examples like tapeworms. Between those classroom scenes and the Cordyceps documentary, it's clear Weapons has a parasite fixation. Why?

These parasite mentions subtly clue us into the methods of Weapons' main villain: witch Gladys (Amy Madigan). She performs rituals to bring people under her spell, using a magical tree, her own blood, and her victims' personal belongings to get the job done.

Her first victims in the movie are Alex's parents (Whitmer Thomas and Callie Schuttera), whom she ensnares in the hopes that siphoning their life force will cure her of her terminal illness. But when Alex's parents aren't enough, she pivots to the 17 children.

Gladys' treatment of Alex's parents and the children is textbook parasitism. She drains from them in order to cure herself, but in doing so, she keeps them trapped and unresponsive.

Like the real-life Cordyceps fungus, Gladys also hijacks her victims' bodies and minds and makes them do her bidding. She forces Alex's mother to cut a lock of Justine's hair for a ritual, and she turns Marcus, Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), and James (Austin Abrams) into murder machines to take out her opponents. Their herky-jerky movements are reminiscent of those of ants overtaken by Cordyceps: They're not in control, Gladys is.

All these background mentions of parasites throughout Weapons peel back the truth of Gladys. She's not just a witch, she's a leech — and she'd drain the entire town of Maybrook, even children, in order to survive.

Weapons is now in theaters.

No matter if you're an adult or kid, there have been so many great Lego sets to pick up this year. August, in particular, has seen some excellent new drops, including new botanicals sets, cute Halloween decorations (if you want to enjoy spooky season a little early this year), and some incredible new Star Wars sets. Marvel fans have plenty of exciting new options to look through, too.

Most of August's new releases center around Spider-Man. From an amazing looking Iron Spider-Man Bust to a brick-built recreation of the Spider-Man and Doc Ock Subway train scene from Spider-Man 2, fans of Marvel's web-slinger have plenty of new sets to consider. Outside of Spider-Man, there's also a cool Avengers: Age of Ultron Quinjet set that would make a cool display once finished, but there's more where that came from.

Check out the latest Marvel Lego releases this month:

Iron Spider-Man Bust Set Credit: Lego

For those looking to build a model to display, this Iron Spider-Man Bust Lego set deserves a place on your collectible shelf. Recommended for ages 18 and up, it comes with 379 pieces that come together to create the top half of Spidey in his Iron Spider Suit. Parts of the bust are also posable, including the arms of the Iron Spider suit and his head, which is a nice way to personalize the display. You even get a cute little Iron Spider-Man minifigure to place alongside a name plaque.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Iron Spider-Man Bust $59.99 at Lego
Shop Now Spider-Man vs. Oscorp Set Credit: Lego

The Spider-Man vs. Oscorp Lego set is an action-packed build that's perfect for younger fans, as it's recommended for ages 10 and up. It comes with 808 pieces that make up three buildings: Miles Morales' apartment, the Oscorp building, and Venom's apartment. It even comes with a variety of minifigures to bring the scene to life, including Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Miles Morales, Eddie Brock, Ghost-Spider, Norman Osborn, Kraven the Hunter, and Green Goblin.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Spider-Man vs. Oscorp $139.99 at Lego
Shop Now Avengers: Endgame Thor vs. Chitauri Set Credit: Lego

The Avengers: Endgame Thor vs. Chitauri Lego set is perfect for even younger Marvel fans, particularly for those aged eight and up. Comprised of 373 pieces, you can build the Iron Patriot mech, complete with four stud shooters, alongside a Chitauri gorilla. It also comes with seven minifigures to bring the battle to life: Iron Patriot MK2, Rocket and a large stud shooter, Thor with Stormbreaker (and a little environment base for him to be placed on), and four Chitauri, with two sporting golden stud shooters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Avengers: Endgame Thor vs. Chitauri $54.99 at Lego
Shop Now Captain America vs. Thanos Set Credit: Lego

The Captain America vs. Thanos Lego set is much smaller than the previously mentioned builds, coming in at just 107 pieces. It's perfect for Marvel fans starting from age four and up. With this tiny but mighty set, you'll piece together Captain America's Quinjet, which features two shooters and a cockpit that opens, alongside Thanos in an Infinity Gauntlet-styled spaceship, which also features movable 'fingers' and a missile launcher. It also comes with two minifigures of Captain America and Thanos with their respective shield and helmet, of course.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Captain America vs. Thanos $39.99 at Lego
Shop Now Iron Man and War Machine vs. Hammer Drones Set Credit: Lego

The Iron Man and War Machine vs. Hammer Drones Lego set is a great fit for ages seven and up and comes with 204 pieces in total. These fit together to create Hammer Drones, the green model with a spring shooter on its shoulder and the blue model boasting push shooters on each shoulder. This set also comes with minifigures of Iron Man and War Machine so you can complete the battle from Iron Man 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Iron Man and War Machine vs. Hammer Drones $22.99 at Lego
Shop Now Peter Parker’s Apartment Set Credit: Lego

This is another Lego set that's great for Spider-Man fans, and is recommended for ages eight and up. With 394 pieces, you'll put together Peter Parker's apartment, which features two levels. The first floor is a kitchen while the second has a study and bedroom, the latter of which comes with a variety of accessories including a flip-up bed, desk, computer, camera, and microscope. This set also comes with a fun variety of minifigures: Hobgoblin, Spider-Man, Anti-Venom, and Mary Jane.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Peter Parker’s Apartment $54.99 at Lego
Shop Now Avengers: Age of Ultron Quinjet Set Credit: Lego

The Avengers: Age of Ultron Quinjet Lego set makes such a cool display. Recommended for slightly older fans at 12 and up, it comes with 1,131 pieces that create the aircraft, which features a cockpit that opens, two stud shooters in front, and storage for weapons. It also comes with five minifigures, including Black Widow (complete with her motorcycle), Iron Man, Quicksilver, Ultimate Ultron, and Hawkeye, who also has his bow and arrow.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Avengers: Age of Ultron Quinjet $129.99 at Lego
Shop Now Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene Set Credit: Lego

For fans of Spider-Man 2, this Lego set recreates the iconic subway train scene between Spidey and Doc Ock. It's recommended for ages nine and up and comes with 393 pieces to build the train. It also comes with four minifigures that help complete the scene: J. Jonah Jameson, Aunt May, Spider-Man, and Doc Ock. The Spider-Man figure has interchangeable heads that allow him to be masked or unmasked, while the Doc Ock figure has four jointed tentacles. Two of them have ‘laser beam’ elements and the other two can be clipped onto the train.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene $54.99 at Lego
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TL;DR: Add wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-car streaming with this smart adapter—just $74.97 through September 7, no car upgrade required.

Your car’s infotainment system probably peaked sometime around your last phone upgrade. But before you start eyeing a shiny new vehicle just to get wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, here’s a smarter move: the PlayAIBox Wireless Adapter.

For just $74.97 (marked down from $129.99), you can supercharge your in-car entertainment setup with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in YouTube and Netflix, and full Google Play Store access. Yep, you can stream Hulu or Disney+ right from your dashboard, no jailbreak, hacks, or wizardry required.

It’s plug-and-play magic for over 800 vehicle models—whether you’re team Apple or Android. Plus, it mirrors your smartphone screen, lets you download extra apps, and even stores your favorite content on an external SD card (up to 128GB).

And because it’s powered by the Allwinner A133 chip, it can juggle multiple apps without lag, stutter, or any of that spinning-wheel frustration. It works in extreme temps (hello, car parked in the sun) and sips power efficiently with a 5V=1A input.

If your commute could use a serious upgrade — or your backseat passengers could use some peace-keeping entertainment — this is a no-brainer add-on. No dealership, no subscription, no regrets.

And yes, shipping’s free. So go ahead, turn your car into a smarter, more fun place to be.

Pick up the PlayAIBox Wireless Adapter while it’s on sale for just $74.97 (reg. $129.99) with free shipping through September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayAIBox PlayAIBox Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support $74.97
$129.99 Save $55.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: BitMar is a powerful, AI-enhanced streaming content-finder that helps you discover millions of free movies, shows, videos, songs, and live channels across the web — for just $14.99 (MSRP: $150).

If your “watch next” list is looking more like a time loop of rewatching The Office, and you’re tired of clicking through a dozen apps only to end up right back where you started, BitMar might be your new favorite thing.

For a one-time payment of $14.99 (yes, for life), BitMar Streaming Content-Finder helps you cut through the noise and discover the internet’s best free movies, TV shows, music, and live channels — all in one place. Think of it as your universal remote for the web’s entertainment, only powered by AI and smart filters instead of frustration and guesswork.

So what makes BitMar different? Instead of being just another streaming service, it uses AI (like the brains behind Bing Search) plus custom algorithms to intelligently scan and surface high-quality, already-free content from across the web. We’re talking 200,000+ channels and more movies and shows than Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO combined. Seriously.

Even better? You can use it on devices you already own — no special box, no sketchy side-loading. And thanks to fewer ads (especially when pulling content from YouTube), the experience is surprisingly smooth. You’re not paying for content — you’re paying for smart access to all the content.

And yes, it’s 100 percent legal. BitMar works with content creators to ensure everything’s DMCA-compliant and sustainable for the long haul.

Whether you’re a cord-cutter, a budget streamer, or just someone who hates endlessly scrolling through bad recommendations, BitMar lets you stream better for less.

And at $14.99 (MSRP: $150) for life with code BITMAR5 through September 7, the BitMar platform might just be the last streaming-related purchase you make for a while.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription $14.99
$150 Save $135.01 Get Deal

DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.

The best Disney+ 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 Basic Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal

Whether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.

Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and so much more, Disney+ offers a library that's stuffed-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained when it matters. This includes the new live-action Snow White and the latest Marvel miniseries Eyes of Wakanda.

If you've had this streaming service on your radar but are unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the Star Wars movies in order: Where should you begin?

There are quite a few bundle deals to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. And with streaming prices on the rise (Disney+ even increased its prices just last year), now's a great time to jump on a bundle like that. Not to mention, with news of Hulu fully integrating into the Disney+ app soon, it's worth it to look at these bundles.

We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.

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

The Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand, which is a great offer to take advantage of given streaming service prices keep going up. The $16.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $29.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 43% with the ad-supported plan and 42% with the ad-free plan.

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

If the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle feels like a bit too much, there are smaller bundle deals to check out instead. One of the most affordable bundle options the service has is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This brings together Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $10.99 per month. This is a great way to gain access to both of their libraries for only $1 more than what you'd pay for their ad-supported plans on their own.

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

If you'd rather spring for the ad-free version of that bundle, Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium is what you need. This offers both Disney+ and Hulu without ads for $19.99 per month instead. Disney+ also has bundles that throw in ESPN+. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic plan, which has ads, runs for $16.99 per month, and the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium plan without ads costs $26.99 per month.

• 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

Disney+ monthly plans

Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ Basic ad-supported plan comes to $9.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.

• Disney+ Basic (With Ads) — $9.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $15.99 per month, $159.99 per year

Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:

• Disney+ Basic — $6.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $7.99 per month

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

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $11.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $14.99 per month

There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $49.97 — no subscription, no Wi-Fi required, just all the productivity apps you need, forever.

Let’s talk about a rarity in life: software you can pay for once and actually own for life. That’s what you’re getting with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows — a full productivity suite with no monthly fees, no auto-renewal traps, and no relying on the cloud to get things done.

For just $49.97, you’ll unlock lifetime access to the entire lineup of essential Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Publisher, and Access. Whether you’re a student, small business owner, side hustler, or spreadsheet enthusiast, it’s all here — without the bloat and recurring costs of other productivity services.

And yes, you can use these offline. So whether your Wi-Fi is on strike or you’re working from that charming Airbnb in the woods, your tools are still at your fingertips. The interface is familiar, but optimized — think faster load times, smarter layouts, and an updated ribbon design that actually helps you find what you’re looking for.

There’s no subscription, no “basic” tier, and no nagging alerts reminding you to “upgrade.” Just a one-time license installed on your device that gives you what you need — permanently.

Also worth noting: this version is not linked to your Microsoft account, so everything lives locally on your machine. Translation? Less fuss, more function.

So if you’re tired of renting your software or counting down the days until your trial expires, grab this deal and get back to doing what matters — at home or at work — with tools you actually trust.

Pick up a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows while it’s just $49.97 (MSRP: $219.99) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$219.99 Save $170.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Learn 14 languages at your own pace with lifetime access to Babbel for $159 using StackSocial’s exclusive code LEARN — now through August 25.

Whether you’re brushing up on your Spanish before that Barcelona trip or finally diving into the Italian you’ve been promising your Nonna you’d learn, Babbel is the language learning sidekick that can help you reach your goals. And right now, you can get lifetime access to all 14 languages for just $159 when you use the exclusive code LEARN at checkout via StackSocial.

That’s 10,000+ hours of expertly designed lessons, created by actual linguists (not random AI prompts), with real-world situations in mind. So yes, you’ll actually know how to ask where the bathroom is — and not just how to say instead of “the man drinks tea.”

Babbel’s bite-sized 10- to 15-minute lessons are perfect for people with real lives. No need to block out your weekend. You can chip away at your language goals while commuting, waiting for coffee, or hiding from your responsibilities (we won’t judge). Plus, the lessons evolve with your learning style thanks to personalized reviews, speech recognition tech, and an AI conversation partner that helps you sound less like a textbook and more like a local.

Whether you’re a traveler, expat, business pro, or just someone who wants to order sushi like a boss — this is your shot to actually stick with it.

Thanks to this limited-time exclusive offer from StackSocial, you can get lifetime access to all of Babbel’s languages for just $159 (MRSP: $599) with code LEARN through August 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$599 Save $440 Get Deal

TL;DR: Shrink your smartphone with this miniaturized, fully functional device, the NanoPhone, on sale for $89.97 (reg. $199.99) through September 7.

Sometimes it’s good to get back to basics. Today’s smartphones offer massive screens and endless notifications, but it may be time to return to something simpler. The NanoPhone offers all the functionality of your current smartphone at a fraction of the size and price. Right now, it’s on sale for just $89.97 (reg. $199.99) through September 7.

Whether you’re hoping to downsize your doomscrolling or just want to minimize daily distractions, the NanoPhone is here to serve all the usual purposes of your smartphone. This handy gadget is the size of a credit card, which means it can actually fit in your pocket. It lets you travel lighter while staying connected, making it an excellent option for a night out, on a run, or as an emergency backup phone.

Curious how this petite little phone works? The NanoPhone has 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it fully functional so you can make calls, use your go-to apps, and even video chat. It’s Bluetooth compatible, allowing you to connect your smartwatch or headphones easily. And it works with your existing SIM card, so you don’t have to purchase an extra data plan.

The NanoPhone comes equipped with a 5MP front camera and a 2MP rear camera, so you can still capture memories while you travel light. A lengthy battery life can last all day, and you can rest easy knowing this tiny smartphone is made durably and can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Travel lighter with the NanoPhone, now on sale for just $89.97 (reg. $199.99) until September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: NanoPhone NanoPhone - A Miniaturized Smartphone Packed with Mega Features! $89.97
$199.99 Save $110.02 Get Deal

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the latest generation of flip-style foldable, at its Summer 2025 Samsung Unpacked event. The smartphone maker caught up to its competitors in some areas — and overtook them by adding the largest cover screen on a flip foldable to date (4.1 inches).

Unfortunately, Samsung also hobbled the Z Flip 7 by limiting the apps you can run on that cover screen. The external display is one of the coolest features of foldable phones, and it's a shame to waste that real estate.

SEE ALSO: Review: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 foldable is almost too much fun

Samsung's closest rival in the foldable space, Motorola, allows you to run pretty much any app you want on its cover screen. You can, for example, quickly check messages, perform quick actions within apps, or even watch videos on the outside screen, all without having to unfold.

If Samsung would let you curate your own front screen experience, you'd be lighting up a 4.1-inch screen every time, instead of the 6.9-inch screen on the inside — and extend battery life in the process.

Samsung believes the apps that it has vetted are appropriate for the external display. Luckily, it left the door open to allowing the user to jump through a few hoops to expand that selection of apps.

Samsung also cut down on the number of steps to do it compared to previous models, but it's still a lot. Here's how to unlock the cover screen on your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7:

Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

1. Go to Settings -> Advanced Features -> Labs

2. Toggle the switches next to "Multi window" for all apps, Use main screen navigation on cover screen, and Apps allowed on cover screen (Labs).

3. Select the last option, Apps allowed on cover screen.

4. Select "Get MultiStar"

5. If prompted, agree to the Galaxy Store privacy notice

6. Select Install

7. Once installed, tap the back button (or use the swipe gesture to go back)

8. Select "Get MultiStar" (yep, again).

9. Select each of the apps you want to run on the cover screen. The list of apps is scrollable, so be sure to scroll down so you don't miss any.

10. Select Enable Launcher Widget

11. Scroll down and Select the MultiStar option to expand it.

12. Tap Launcher to add the widget.

After all that effort, your reward is a new widget on your cover screen, complete with launch icons of all the apps you selected. (This also unlocks a few games that were designed for your cover screen by a company called Gamesnacks; Stack Bounce is my personal favorite.)

Fair warning on the app launcher, however: Some of the apps you picked likely won't work well. Some may be oddly sized on the smaller screen, or have some of their elements blocked by the camera lenses.

SEE ALSO: Are foldable phones worth buying in 2025? As a tech editor, I say heck yes.

One more thing to bear in mind. When you open an app on the cover screen, you'll see a small icon in the bottom middle of the cover screen that looks like a tiny cover screen. When you tap on that, you can change the aspect ratio of the app to 16:9, 2:1, 20:9, or 21:9.

Tapping on the icon cycles through the options, but the phone doesn't remember your choice per app — it only remembers your choice, so if you select 16:9 for an app, and open a different app, it will also be in 16:9.

That's not a perfect fix for this issue, which speaks to Samsung's insistence on curating the experience. Still, they're your apps; use them how and where you want.

UPDATE: Aug. 11, 2025, 10:43 a.m. EDT This story was originally published with the wrong author name. We've updated the story to reflect that Adam Doud is the author.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to BitMar’s content finder for $14.99 this month only with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. $150).

Here’s a challenge: cut the cord with your streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, all of them. You’re likely paying hundreds each year in subscription fees and, chances are, you still can’t find the one movie you want to watch on any of them.

All of these reasons are probably why so many people are turning to BitMar, a streaming service alternative. You know how you can find some free movies or TV shows available online if you dig hard enough? This powerful search engine does that for you. And, for a limited time, you can get it for $14.99 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. $150).

Wait…how does it work?

BitMar is powered by the Bing search engine, but it only has eyes for free streaming content. You’ll use a far more user-friendly interface to plug in a channel, genre, actor, or a specific movie or TV show you have in mind, then this content aggregator scours the web to find it.

Is it legal? Yes. BitMar is fully compliant with copyright laws — and it’s simply locating content already available on the web.

If you’re wondering why you wouldn’t just spend the time searching for it yourself, that’s the reason right there — it saves you time. BitMar also filters out the garbage to leave you with high-quality, ad-free content.

Enjoy no subscription streaming with a BitMar lifetime subscription at $14.99 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. $150). This coupon code expires this week.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription $14.99
$150 Save $135.01 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

Seemingly.

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

QUASI

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A moor.

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

HEATH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Someone from the Netherlands.

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

DUTCH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To cleanse someone.

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

BATHE

Final Hurdle hint

To provide.

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

ENDOW

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 full moon is finally here, and if you're lucky enough to be graced with a cloudless night, there's a lot to see as we enter the next phase of the lunar cycle.

This 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. 9?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 9, the moon phase is Full Moon, and it is 100% lit (NASA's Daily Moon Observation confirms this).

This month's full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon, an ode to fishing tribes and the plentiful sturgeon fish that was caught in the month of August.

There's so much to be seen on the moon's surface tonight, but pay particular attention to the Mare Vaporum, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis, all of which can be seen with the naked eye.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on September 7.

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.

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

If you like porn but want to make things a bit more interactive, these are some popular dating sites that will help you achieve that. There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re looking to explore your kinky fantasies, make a lasting romantic connection, search for senior love, hook up, or want to keep things safely socially distanced and just chat.

And if free videos with easy-to-search categories like Pornhub offers are what do it for you, there’s options out there for you. While these sites are by no means perfect and some of them are pretty raunchy, here's the scoop on what you're getting yourself into.

What do you need to know about dating on NSFW sites?

Keep in mind that “dating” on NSFW sites like Grindr and GetItOn is about as subtle as the names of the platforms: Users are there to find a connection for a night, a threesome, or an ongoing sex buddy situation — not a long-term partner.

Also, sites like this don’t operate without mutual consent and boundary-setting (and respecting). When you’re building out your profile, be specific and honest about what you’re looking for and wanting so you can find people who genuinely match up with you and your interests or fetishes.

Should you use a NSFW site for dating?

If you’re looking for no-strings-attached sex, or just a sexting or Skype-sexing buddy for the evening, NSFW sites can be ideal for getting your needs met and getting straight to the point. “Dating” here is a very loose term — think of these as sites and apps for hooking up.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Users on these apps tend to be fairly direct — don’t expect a dinner invitation before you get asked over to their flat. If that’s not your cup of tea and you need a little more of the getting-to-know-someone before jumping into bed with them, these might not be the right sites for you.

What precautions should you take when using a NSFW dating site?

If you’re on a site where you need to share personal information or choose a username, be careful about the information you’re giving out — and about what kind of information it is. Things like credit card numbers are vulnerable to hackers, and using your real name on platforms like these can compromise your safety if you happen to stumble upon the wrong sort of people on the sites.

Always choose a username that doesn’t have a relationship to your first name, and be careful about the personal information you share (like where you live, etc.).

What else is important to know when using a NSFW dating site?

Besides not giving away any personal information, especially for things like anonymous encounters on cam or sexting sites, know the risks when it comes to sending nude or partially nude photos containing identifying details like your face or tattoos. While it’s against the law in many places to circulate private sexual images, that doesn’t stop people from doing it.

What is the best NSFW dating site?

There are plenty of raunchy dating sites out there that should suit just about everyone, but we get that you probably don't want to spend all day perusing the options (or maybe you do). To help you find the best NSFW dating site for you, we have lined up a standout selection.

We've tried to find something for every type of dater, with popular sites like AdultFriendFinder and GetItOn making the cut. You just need to pick a favourite.

These are the best dating site alternatives to Pornhub in 2025.

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: The outcome

• Green: What a comedian might say

• Blue: Mythical love films

• Purple: Made from the same vegetable

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: Result

• Green: Kinds of jokes

• Blue: Movies featuring supernatural romance

• Purple: Corn-y things

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 #791 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Result: FRUIT, PRODUCT, RETURN, YIELD

• Kinds of jokes: DAD, INSIDE, KNOCK-KNOCK, PRACTICAL

• Movies featuring supernatural romance: CASPER, GHOST, LET ME IN, TWILIGHT

• Corn-y things: MAZE, MUFFIN, SILK, SYRUP

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: Gastronomic gadgets

The words are food-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are common cooking instruments.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Kitchen Tool.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 9

• Corkscrew

• Spatula

• Zester

• Kitchen Tool

• Whisk

• Mizer

• Sieve

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:

Related to the nose.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.

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...

NASAL.

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.

Whether you're into full moons because of their rumoured effects on sleep, mood, or werewolf activity, you just love a bit of astronomy knowledge, or you just like to look up at them, August’s full moon is worth a look.

Beyond the folklore, this month's full moon marks an important point in the lunar calendar, with seasonal significance. Here’s when it's due, what it’s called, and what it means.

When is the August full moon?

August's full moon will take place on Saturday, August 9. The previous full moon was on July 10.

According to Astronomy.com, August's full moon will peak at 3:55 am ET.

What is the August full moon called?

The full moons each have a name, a tradition that comes from early cultures using the lunar cycle to track time and seasonal changes.

August's full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon, according to NASA.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon predicted to occur on Sept. 7, 2025, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.

What are the lunar phases?

The full moon is just one day of the lunar phase, which is a 29.5-day cycle of the moon's orbit. 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.

After a GPT-5 rollout that was "a little more bumpy" than expected, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company is bringing back GPT-4o — with a catch.

During a Reddit AMA (and also on X), Altman said GPT-4o will soon be available again for paid ChatGPT users.

"Ok, we hear you all on 4o," said Altman. "Thanks for the time to give us the feedback (and the passion!)." And on X, Altman confirmed, "We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o. We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for."

So GPT-4o lives to fight another day.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Why is OpenAI bringing back GPT-4o?

OpenAI launched the highly anticipated GPT-5 model on Thursday, promising the smartest, fastest model yet. GPT-5 also has a streamlined system that works behind the scenes to choose which version of GPT-5 is best for the user's prompt. Previously, users could select specific models for each of their prompts. But soon after the rollout began, ChatGPT users roasted GPT-5 on Reddit and other social media platforms, calling it a "disaster" and "biggest piece of garbage."

Much of the criticism came from GPT-5's colder "personality," compared to GPT-4o. Users also complained about the abrupt removal of all other models from the ChatGPT model picker in favor of the ostensibly unified GPT-5. Ironically, users previously criticized OpenAI for the confusing number of model options, proving that you can't please everybody.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI says GPT-5 hallucinates less — what does the data say?

Sam Altman and other OpenAI leadership had a pre-planned Reddit AMA on Friday. What they encountered was a flood of demand to bring back GPT-4o.

In the AMA, Altman also promised ChatGPT users that GPT-5 will rapidly improve.

"GPT-5 will seem smarter starting today," Altman said. "Yesterday, the autoswitcher broke and was out of commission for a chunk of the day, and the result was GPT-5 seemed way dumber. Also, we are making some interventions to how the decision boundary works that should help you get the right model more often."

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responds to GPT-5 critics. Credit: Screenshot: Reddit

Many users said they liked the warmth and empathy from GPT-4o (and GPT-4.5), with some comparing the situation to losing a friend overnight. However, GPT-4o also had major problems with sycophancy, prompting OpenAI to apologize and tweak the model. Still, some users grew very attached.

Some users complained they didn't get advance notice about earlier models being removed from ChatGPT. Still, it was implied that GPT-5 was developed to replace them.

"A big part of our goal here is to get the new system to a place where you don't want to use anything else," said Altman. "We will work hard on that, but we totally get the need for good change management."

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.