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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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The full suite of MS Office tools is just $69.97 for life

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: No subscriptions, no cloud reliance — just classic MS Office apps for Mac with a one-time $69.97 payment.

We love a good cloud as much as the next person, but sometimes, you just want your tools to live close by, like right on your computer. If you’re on a Mac and tired of subscription fees piling up, here’s a serious upgrade: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is now available as a one-time purchase for just $69.97.

No monthly fees, no renewals — just Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and even basic Microsoft Teams access, yours to keep forever.

You can rest assured that this isn’t some watered-down online-only version. It’s the full desktop suite — which means you can work offline, organize your life, manage your business, or tackle schoolwork with all the tools you already know and love.

Need to build spreadsheets that auto-calculate your vacation days? Done. Want to make a PowerPoint that actually wows your coworkers? Easy. Would you prefer to write your next great novel in Word while offline in a cozy café? Go for it.

Whether you’re a solopreneur juggling invoices and pitches, a parent managing school reports and schedules, or just someone who likes their digital life neat and organized, this version of Office gives you the flexibility to handle it all. And because you’re using the desktop apps — not cloud-dependent versions — you get faster load times, better file control, and zero surprises if your Wi-Fi decides to take a break.

It’s reliable, familiar, and built to help you get stuff done, even when you’re off the grid.

Since this license is tied to your Microsoft Account (not your device), you can reinstall it if you upgrade your Mac down the road. It’s a pretty rare combo: future-proof, fuss-free, and forever yours.

Get lifetime access to MS Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac while it’s just $69.97 (reg. $219).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $69.97
$219 Save $149.03 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

AI tells me how to invest — here’s how it’s going

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 09:00

TL;DR: Save $417 on this AI stock-picking app that can help you navigate crazy markets and keep your cool.

I was watching the first of the month’s market crashes and wondered, ‘Does it make sense to invest right now?’ I’d always been curious about the stock market, at least in terms of how people actually got rich by practically gambling, but I didn’t have a single clue where to begin — let alone how to even buy a stock.

Once I saw a TikTok calling this period a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (take that with a grain of salt), I decided to take my chance. But I needed help researching everything: what stocks to choose and how to track them. That’s when I found Sterling Stock Picker, and made my first investment with their $68.99 lifetime subscription (reg. $486).

How I invested my first dollar

My biggest concern wasn’t that the market wouldn’t eventually recover, but that I would choose ‘bad’ stocks due to my lack of experience. Sterling Stock Picker helped me feel calm with the 5-minute questionnaire covering my wants and ability to handle risk.

Then, I started researching stocks with help from AI. I also learned about something called exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are like groups of stocks. I didn’t know what these were at first, so I consulted the AI assistant, Finley AI, and it told me that it’s like putting a stake into a huge nest of companies at once rather than individually.

Once I selected a few ETFs to invest in, I opened a free brokerage account (sadly, you can’t directly invest through Sterling Stock Picker). I purchased my shares and put the information into Sterling Stock Picker so I could view my portfolio with fun graphs and charts and get alerts when prices change — which may help me determine when to sell.

How it’s going

Well, it’s only been a few days since I’ve made my investments and, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, things have been up and down. One day, my $1,000 portfolio was up $100, and the next, it was down $20. 

As a total beginner, I won’t offer any formal advice to you other than to do your research and be well-informed, and Sterling Stock Picker is a great tool to do just that.

Get a Sterling Stock Picker lifetime subscription for $68.99 (reg. $486).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SSP Software Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $68.99
$486 Save $417.01 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to unblock Xnxx for free

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Does the online world seem like a place that you can navigate freely? It might present like that, but it's actually full of content restrictions and blockades. And, of course, that goes double for adult content.

Porn obviously comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like Xnxx from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that without hassle.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like Xnxx by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Xnxx

  4. Visit Xnxx

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 bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming 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 subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee.)

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for August 2, 2025

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 06:00

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

A foolish person.

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

CHUMP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

More impolite.

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

RUDER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A popular peanut butter brand.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 2, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

JIFFY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A roadside restaurant.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 2 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DINER

Final Hurdle hint

To throw away.

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

SCRAP

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on August 2, 2025

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 06:00

Ever wondered why the moon looks slightly different every night? This is to do with the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle 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, let's see where we are in the cycle tonight, Aug. 2.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 2, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 60% lit up tonight.

It's day nine of the lunar cycle, and there's a whole lot for us to see on the moon's surface.

With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Fecunditatis, the Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Crisium. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, look to the top right. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you'll see these on the bottom left.

With binoculars, enjoy a glimpse of the Alps Mountains, Apennine Mountains, and the Aphonsus Crater. With a telescope, you can also see the Rima Arladaeus, the Descartes Highlands, and Rupes Altai.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Australia vs. Lions online for free

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Lions for free on 9Now. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 British and Irish Lions secured a massive victory over the Wallabies in the second of three Test matches, but there is still work to do.

The Lions have beaten the Western Force, Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, AUNZ Invitational XV, and the First Nations & Pasifika XV on this tour. Can the Lions win every game in Australia? You can find out without spending anything.

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

When is Australia vs. Lions?

Australia vs. Lions starts at 11 a.m. BST on Aug. 2. This fixture takes place at Stadium Australia.

How to watch Australia vs. Lions for free

Australia vs. Lions is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can gain access with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to live stream Australia vs. Lions from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Lions 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 Australia

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Stream Australia vs. Lions 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 Australia vs. Lions without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like 9Now, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

  • 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Australia vs. Lions for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2025 British and Irish Lions online for free

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Watch every British and Irish Lions vs. Australia game for free on 9Now. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There really is something for every sports fan this summer, but we would make the case that the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is the most unique event taking place over the next few weeks. This tour only takes place every four years and brings together the best rugby players from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. They are touring Australia in 2025.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What are the British and Irish Lions?

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The team tours every four years, rotating between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa in order.

When is the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia?

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is scheduled to take place between June and August 2025.

The Lions are scheduled to play a three-match Test series against Australia, plus games against Australia's four Super Rugby franchises (Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, and ACT Brumbies), an invitational side made up of players from Australia and New Zealand, and a team of players with First Nations and Pasifika origin. The Lions also played a warm-up match against Argentina in Ireland before departing.

The full schedule for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is as follows:

The good news is that it's possible to live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour without spending anything.

How to watch the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is available to live stream for free on 9Now (Test matches).

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can watch the British and Irish Lions for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to live stream the British and Irish Lions tour from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for 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 Australia

  4. Connect to 9Now

  5. Live stream the British and Irish Lions 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 they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the British and Irish Lions without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream every Test match before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

  • 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

  • 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 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 2, 2025

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 04:00

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 2 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 paste

  • Green: Intercourse

  • Blue: Done in the alley

  • Purple: Synonyms and antonyms

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: Attach with adhesive

  • Green: Polite terms for sex

  • Blue: Bowling results

  • Purple: Contronyms (Words that can mean opposite 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 #783 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Attach with adhesive: ADHERE, AFFIX, GLUE, STICK

  • Polite terms for sex: COMMERCE, CONGRESS, INTIMACY, RELATIONS

  • Bowling results: FOUL, SPARE, SPLIT, STRIKE

  • Contronyms (Words that can mean opposite things): CLEAVE, GARNISH, OVERSIGHT, SANCTION

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 2

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for August 2, 2025

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 04:00

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 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 2 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pretty as a picture

The words are tech-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of camera functions.

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 Photo Editor.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 2
  • Filter

  • Markup

  • Rotate

  • Photo Editor

  • Blur

  • Adjust

  • Crop

  • Erase

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 2, 2025

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 04:00

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 2 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 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To intimidate someone

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 D.

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...

DAUNT.

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 2

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Naked Guns best cameo is so quick you might miss it

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 03:00

In addition to gut-busting performances from stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, The Naked Gun reboot features more than a few cameos from the original film including "Weird Al" Yankovic, as well as appearances from Busta Rhymes, Dave Bautista, and more.

But there's one cameo that you won't want to miss: the co-star of the original film trilogy, Priscilla Presley.

SEE ALSO: 'The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson is a comedy genius in this brilliantly stupid reboot

Starring alongside Leslie Nielsen in 1988's The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, 1991's The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, and 1994's Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, Presley played gloriously uncoordinated femme fatale Jane Spencer. She's introduced as an assistant to the film's antagonist Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalbán) before becoming the love interest of Nielsen's bumbling protagonist Lt. Frank Drebin.

Priscilla Presley in "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

In the reboot, you'll spy Presley as Jane sitting at home watching the broadcast of the film's major fight event, in which Neeson's character, Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (who is the son of Nielsen's character) finds himself rather exposed. Like the rest of the audience, Jane looks shocked at the dangling disco balls on screen.

It's not clear in the scene whether Jane recognises Neeson's Frank Jr. or whether she's looking at her son. Jane and Frank are married in The Naked Gun 33⅓ and the final scene shows Jane giving birth to a son. Regardless, it's great to see Presley included in The Naked Gun reboot, even if for the shortest cameo of the entire film.

Featured Video For You Liam Neeson takes the absurd comedy of 'The Naked Gun' very seriously

As Anderson told Mashable, Presley herself gave The Naked Gun star a note before filming the reboot. "Priscilla left me a message," Anderson told Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards. "She just said, 'Have a good time. Embrace the silliness. You’re going to do great.'"

The film also pays tribute to Nielsen, who died in 2010 at the age of 84, through several scenes involving Frank Jr. gazing at his father's portrait within the Police Squad building and later believing his spirit being channelled through a particularly well-timed owl. It's perfect.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI pulls ChatGPT feature that let user chats appear in Google Search results

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 22:11

Thousands of private ChatGPT conversations have been appearing in Google search results because of the chatbot's "Share" feature, which the company recently removed following a backlash.

Fast Company reported this week that ChatGPT users may have inadvertently made their conversations with the AI chatbot public and searchable. The Fast Company report found nearly 4,500 ChatGPT conversations in Google search results, some of them regarding mental health struggles, relationships, and other personal and sensitive topics. Fortunately, the public conversations did not identify the users behind the posts.

How did these conversations end up on the web?

Until recently, ChatGPT users had the ability to share chats with friends, family, or coworkers by making them public. The function worked similarly to the sharing settings on a Google Doc, and users would be given a public link to the chat they could send to others. An additional option gave users the option to make the post "discoverable," and specifically discoverable by Google — whether users realized it or not.

When users created a shareable link to one of their conversations, a pop-up would appear that read: "A public link to your chat has been created." A checkbox also appeared under this message, labeled "Make this chat discoverable." And in fine print below this message, a warning appeared: "Allows it to be shown in web searches."

By checking this box, users were making it possible for their conversations to be indexed by Google, meaning Google's web crawlers could identify the page and make it eligible to appear in search results.

After Fast Company published its report, OpenAI removed the feature, with one company leader calling it a "short-lived experiment."

OpenAI Chief Information Security Officer Dane Stuckey explained on X how the feature worked — and where it ultimately went wrong.

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Even though ChatGPT users had to opt in for their chats to become public, the company decided the potential for user error was simply too high.

As Mashable has reported previously, OpenAI is required to save user conversations — even conversations users have actively deleted — because of an ongoing lawsuit from the New York Times. As part of this suit, OpenAI must retain all conversations indefinitely. (This does not apply to ChatGPT Enterprise or ChatGPT Edu customers, according to OpenAI.)

So, while ChatGPT users can toggle on a "Temporary Chat" feature that's similar to an incognito mode in a web browser, your chat data may still be retained.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Want to match Stray Kids Hyunjins floral phone case aesthetic? We found this K-pop idols fave.

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 20:14

If there’s one thing STAY know for sure about Hyunjin from Stray Kids, it's that the K-pop star has a deep, poetic love for flowers.

Whether he's painting delicate blossoms in his studio or on the road, sharing poems that echo the beauty of nature, or adorning his space with preserved petals, Hyunjin has made it clear: flowers are more than just pretty — they're a core part of how he expresses himself.

SEE ALSO: K-pop rookies KiiiKiii tap into Gen Z's obsession with early internet aesthetics

So it's no surprise that floral phone cases are his actual accessory of choice. On Instagram, the dancer has shared mirror selfies snapped during his global travels on the group's dominATE World Tour, and in several, his iPhone is dressed in a floral-covered case. If you don't know what case we're talking about, pop over to Instagram to see the floral case in question.

These rich, botanical designs perfectly capture his dreamy, introspective energy. And the best part? You can shop the same aesthetic to match your own phone to Hyunjin's signature style.

Romance with an edge

Dark and dramatic, this matte black Roses and Thorns phone case from Casetify is adorned with deep red roses and subtle gold detailing. It's elegant, bold, and unmistakably Hyunjin-coded. The design balances softness with edge, much like Hyunjin's stage presence itself. It's a clear favorite in his rotation and gives off serious romantasy vibes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Roses and Thorns — BioVeg Case MagSafe Compatible $74 at Cafetify
Shop Now Floral nostalgia, Hyunjin-style View this post on Instagram

This one's for the romantics. With dainty bouquets in pink, red, and white set against a matte black background, the Vintage Flower Monday case from Casetify has a worn-in, dreamy vibe, like something out of a vintage diary. The delicate florals and washed tones feel straight from Hyunjin's sketchbook, capturing that quiet elegance he's so known for.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify VINTAGE FLOWER MONDAY — Impact Case MagSafe Compatible $64 at Casetify
Shop Now Hyunjin’s elegant life hack: a magnetic cardholder View this post on Instagram

Technically not a case, but definitely 100-percent Hyunjin. This Butterfly Sunday by Monika Strigel magnetic cardholder stand from Casetify features butterflies and white florals, and it’s been spotted attached to his phone more than once. During a 2024 livestream, Hyunjin explained that he'd stopped using a wallet "a long time ago" but kept misplacing his cards. The Snappy™ was a game-changer. He even called the accessory "amazing," and this is the second design he's been seen using. Stylish and practical? Very Hyunjin.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Butterfly Sunday by Monika Strigel Snappy Cardholder Stand $38 at Casetify
Shop Now

These floral cases and accessories are romantic, artsy, and effortlessly cool. Just like him.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Last chance: Buy the original Switch consoles before Nintendo raises prices

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 20:04

This is your last chance to get the original lineup of Nintendo Switch consoles before the prices go up on Aug. 3.

On Friday, Nintendo announced that it would be raising prices on the Nintendo Switch 1, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite, and some Switch accessories. While the Nintendo statement didn't specify how much prices would increase, a popular Nintendo fan account on X spotted higher prices in effect at Target already. If these numbers are correct, then shoppers will soon face these prices:

However, these higher prices haven't gone into effect at other retailers, which means gamers have about 48 hours to get the beloved console at the usual price.

As of this writing, all three of these consoles are available for sale at Walmart for their original prices. Unfortunately, the new Switch 2 landed with a higher price tag of $449. While it was consistently out of stock, a recent Switch 2 restock has changed that. But if that $449 price tag still gives you pause, you can still have a lot of fun on the original Switch, one of the greatest gaming consoles ever made.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Lite $199 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch w/ Neon Blue & Neon Red Joy-Con $299 at Walmart
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch OLED $349 at Walmart
Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Tim Cook: Apple faces a $1.1 billion tariff bill this quarter

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:49

Apple is facing high tariff costs in the current quarter, projected to reach a whopping $1.1 billion.

The company's CEO Tim Cook shared the projections, based on current rates and policies, with investors during an earnings call on Thursday. The hike comes amid a continuous trade war between China and the U.S. government.

SEE ALSO: India overtakes China in smartphone exports to U.S.

In the quarter that ended in June, tariffs cost Apple $800 million, which was actually lower than initially anticipated. "The bulk of the tariffs that we paid were the IEEPA [International Emergency Economic Powers Act] tariffs that hit early in the year, related to China," Cook said, according to The Verge.

"There are many factors that could change, including tariff rates," the CEO continued.

In the past, President Donald Trump has specifically threatened Tim Cook and Apple with higher tariffs on iPhones, part of his pressure campaign to move iPhone production to the United States. Experts say that is extremely unlikely to happen, as the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to manufacture flagship smartphones.

In the Thursday earnings call, Cook also shared that the company set a "June quarter revenue record", with growth across its iPhone and Mac products and services divisions. He said the results were "better than expected."

As Mashable reported on Friday, despite economic uncertainty, a negative July jobs report, and the looming threat of tariffs, tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Reddit are still reporting strong revenue this quarter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nintendo is raising prices for the Switch 1 — are tariffs to blame?

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:38

The original Nintendo Switch will soon hold a higher price tag in the United States.

On Friday, Nintendo announced that it's raising prices on its old gaming consoles and accessories as a result of "market conditions" beginning Aug. 3. The price of the new Nintendo Switch 2 will remain the same. However, the original Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite, and some Switch accessories will all get higher prices.

The announcement didn't reveal what the new retail price will be for Switch 1 systems, but we have some idea of what to expect.

Nintendo fans (or anyone who's gone searching for Switch 2 restocks) may recognize the X account Wario64, known for tracking Switch inventory online. The account spotted the higher prices already in effect at retailers like Target; the increases range from $30 to $50.

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As Kotaku reports, video game consoles usually go down in price as time goes on and the products get older. But Nintendo is taking another route, and tariffs may be to blame.

While the Nintendo statement didn't mention tariffs, the company referenced "market conditions," a common euphemism for tariffs. This is the exact same language the company used in April, when it paused Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States following the initial round of tariffs. Earlier this year, Microsoft also announced price increases on Xbox consoles (also citing "market conditions"). And in previous reporting, experts have also told Mashable that tariffs have had a big impact on video game consoles and accessories in particular.

"[A] lot of the big electronic brands may have avoided some tariffs by stockpiling inventories earlier in the year, before tariffs were announced," said Rick Kowalski, Senior Director of Business Intelligence at the Consumer Technology Association, in an earlier interview with Mashable about tariffs and tech prices. "Those stockpiles will only last a few months at most, so eventually, importers will need to restock, and they'll import more products at the higher tariff rates."

Nintendo says that prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, as well as physical and digital Switch games, will not change yet. However, the company says further "price adjustments may be necessary in the future."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop all the best back-to-school deals for college students

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:37
The best back-to-school college deals at a glance: Best school supplies deal Select school supplies at Amazon Save $10 when you spend $50 Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (WiFi, 64GB) $209.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best dorm essentials deal Select dorm essentials at Amazon Get 20% off when you spend $100 Get Deal Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal

It's almost time to head to campus for the new school year. But before you do, you may want to take inventory of what supplies you need, what tech needs upgrading, and what kind of budget you're working with. With President Trump's tariffs set to take effect today, Aug. 1, we could see some major price hikes in the weeks leading up to the beginning of the semester. In other words, a good deal today could end up being a great deal in just a couple of weeks.

Below, we've rounded up the best back-to-school deals: college edition. These include cute and compact coffee makers, noise-cancelling headphones, laptops and tablets, and of course, your basic school supplies. If you're hoping to deck out your dorm on a budget, we've got you covered.

General school supplies dealsLaptop and tablet deals

Check out our extensive list of all the best back-to-school laptop deals.

Dorm essentials dealsNoise-cancelling headphones dealsOther tech dealsSubscription deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

GameChat with your Switch 2 friends with the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for its lowest price

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:21

SAVE $20: As of August 1, get the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 for $39.99, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 33% and its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If you spend a lot of time on your Nintendo Switch 2 talking to your friends in GameChat, you might want to also add a way for them to see your face. Not everyone wants to be on camera all day long (especially for work), but it can add some fun to hangouts with your buddies, and it can also enhance some of your Switch 2 games. But if you don't want to buy or feel like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is for you, you've got an alternative: a Piranha Plant-shaped camera that's a lot more fun. And it's gone down to its lowest price yet.

As of August 1, get the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 for $39.99, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's $20 off and a discount of 33%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Direct: See all the new games coming to the Switch 2, plus a bonus Hyrule trailer

This USB-C camera connects straight to your Switch 2 and is compatible with your system whether you use TV mode, tabletop mode, or portable mode. It enables video chat via GameChat, and it lets you use the camera-based features in all the games that the Switch 2 supports. For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV comes with a special mode built around using your face in-game as you compete on a special game show.

You'll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership to use GameChat, however, so keep that in mind when purchasing the camera. And if you're not really interested in using it too much beyond game additions, you won't need the membership. And don't be shy about buying it just so you have an excuse to have a miniature Piranha Plant in your house. Absolutely no one is going to fault you for that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 15% off during Ninjas Back to School Sale

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:13

Best Ninja deals Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone (DZ071) $157.49 (save $42.50) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle $101.14 (save $38.85) Get Deal Best cookware deal Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set (C19000) $229.49 (save $40.50) Get Deal

Believe it or not, back-to-school season is in full swing. Retailers are using this as a chance to sell off their summer inventory before we settle into fall. (I’ve already seen Halloween decorations out, and at Hobby Lobby, even Christmas stuff — which is too far, even for me). Right now, you can find deals on just about anything a student might need, from Kindles and MacBooks to printers and dorm decor (with most at record-low prices).

And in a surprisingly smart move, Ninja is getting in on the action. Through August 12, its Back to School Sale gets you 15% off select items (including blenders, air fryers, and cookware) with the code CLASS15.

To save you some scrolling, we’ve sorted through the offers to find the very best deals from the sale.

Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone (DZ071) $157.49 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $42.50 Get Deal Why we like it

If there's one appliance college students swear by, it's the air fryer. They’re easy to use, whip up a full meal in minutes, and don’t require a ton of cleanup.

Right now, you can get the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7qt MegaZone for $169.99 with the code CLASS15. Normally, this appliance goes for $199.99, so you’re saving $30 with this deal. (You’ll notice that some items aren’t included in the sale, but I’ve double-checked to make sure all of my selections are.) If you want to save even more, we found the same model at Amazon for $157.49.

The Ninja Foodi FlexBasket has one large MegaZone basket that can be divided into two 3.5-quart baskets when you need to cook two different foods at once. So, chicken nuggies on one side and fries on the other — done.

The Dual Zone technology and Smart Finish feature mean that both zones will be done at the same time. You can also sync the settings with Match Cook to cook one large meal in a single 7-quart basket. With six cooking functions (air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate), you’ll be able to cook just about anything.

Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle (SS151) $101.14 at Ninja
$139.99 Save $38.85 Use code CLASS15 Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a quick breakfast or mid-day protein shake in the campus dining hall can get pricey, so it's a good idea to have a blender on hand.

The Ninja Twisti High Speed Blender Duo; Euro-Pro Bundle is currently on sale for $101.14 with the code CLASS15. (Amazon, and a few other retailers like Target and Crate & Barrel, aren’t matching this price, so that means this is the lowest you can get right now.)

This deal includes a 1600 peak-watt motor base, pitcher with Twist Tamper and drizzle cap, 34-ounce high-speed pitcher, one 18-ounce Nutrient Extraction single-serve cup and spout lid, one 24-ounce Nutrient Extraction single-serve cup and spout lid, and a recipe guide.

The coolest thing about this blender is the Twist Tamper lid, which pushes the ingredients down while it blends, so you don’t have to stop mid-way and shake it around or scrape the sides with a spoon. The removable drizzle cap is a nice add-on, too. This way, you can add ingredients while blending without removing the entire lid. The single-serve cups are perfect for taking smoothies on the go, and the spout lid makes for less mess.

If you're looking for something that's smaller and more portable, the Ninja Blast Portable Blender is also on sale for $59.49 with code CLASS15.

Best cookware deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set (C19000) $229.49 at Ninja
$269.99 Save $40.50 Use code CLASS15 Get Deal Why we like it

An air fryer can do a lot, but it can’t do everything. When you need to boil pasta or sauté veggies, you’ll need some quality cookware.

The Ninja NeverStick Essential 10-Piece Cookware Set is currently on sale for $229.49, which is an absolute steal for 10 pieces of cookware. (It’s also out of stock at Amazon.)

The best feature of this cookware (aside from the fact that it’s designed to withstand chips or flaking) is that you can pop it right in the oven. All of the pots, pans, and lids are oven-safe up to 500°F. It’s also all dishwasher-safe, for quick and easy cleaning. And you’ll get a 10-year warranty under the Ninja 10 Year Guarantee.

This set includes an 8-inch frying pan, 12-inch frying pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, 2.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, 3-quart sauté pan with glass lid, and a 6.5-quart stock pot with glass lid. What more could you need going into soup season?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Reddit, Meta, and Apple revenue is soaring amid tariff threats and economic headwinds

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 18:05

If you're wondering why tech companies like Meta, Reddit, and Apple reported strong earnings this week despite President Donald Trump's tariffs, well, the tariffs may be the answer. No, the tariffs didn't help these companies, but they did lower expectations. The lower the bar, the easier it is to clear.

Yahoo Finance noted that second-quarter earnings were largely trending positive and that "analysts tempered their expectations amid President Trump's tariffs, stocks' lofty valuations, and uncertainty about the health of the US economy."

Meta, for instance, brought in Q2 revenues of $47.5 billion versus $44.8 billion expected. Still, the company had a good quarter regardless of lowered expectations. Its sales revenue was up 22 percent year over year, and ad revenues saw an upward bump, too.

Reddit saw soaring revenues as well. It brought in $500 million, which far surpassed Wall Street's expectations of $425 million. Apple's revenue was up 10 percent year over year, coming in at $94 billion versus $89.5 billion expected. Reddit just barely beat expectations for daily active users, even as Google's AI push has put a damper on web traffic for most sites. (Reddit has partnered with Google and increased its visibility in Google Search.) It also saw its revenue from licensing deals grow. Apple, meanwhile, beat expectations largely on the strength of iPhone sales, which grew 13 percent year over year.

In short, these tech companies saw strong sales despite significant headwinds and lowered expectations. Still, it's not like the effects of Trump's tariffs and a shaky economy are totally absent. Apple, for instance, estimated tariffs would cost the company $1.1. billion this quarter alone. In addition, a negative July jobs report is increasing economic unease, even among Trump loyalists.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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