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TL;DR: Turn your data into diagrams that make sense — MS Visio 2021 Professional is just $14.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

We can all agree that giant spreadsheets and complex datasets don’t exactly scream storytelling masterpiece. That’s where Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional can help shake things up.

It’s the tool that turns chaos into clarity, transforming your data into clean, shareable diagrams that actually make sense. Whether you’re mapping out a project plan, designing a floor layout, or wrangling a web of network devices, Visio gives you the shapes, templates, and features to do it with style (and sanity).

No design degree required here. Just pick from dozens of built-in templates — flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, floor plans, fishbone diagrams — and drag and drop your way to something that looks like it took hours (but didn’t). With over 250,000 shapes available through Visio’s online library, your visuals can be as simple or sophisticated as you need.

And if you’re working on a touch-enabled device, you can sketch, annotate, or drag shapes around with just a finger or stylus, because sometimes using a mouse just feels wrong.

Got real-time data in Excel? Pull it straight into your diagrams. Need to automatically generate an org chart from Exchange? Visio’s got it covered. You can even collaborate with your team and validate diagrams against industry standards like BPMN, UML, and IEEE.

It’s Microsoft’s ultimate visual solution, and at this steeply reduced sale price, it’s the kind of deal you grab before it’s gone.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows for just $14.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97
$249.99 Save $235.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Youbooks turns your ideas into fully written, professionally styled non-fiction books using powerful multi-AI collaboration — get lifetime access now for just $49 (reg. $540).

We all have a book in us — or at least, a great idea for one. But writing it? That’s where most of us get stuck. Youbooks is here to flip the script. With a one-time $49 purchase, you can unlock lifetime access to a seriously powerful AI-driven platform that turns your ideas into full-blown non-fiction books — without the months-long slog or the need for ghostwriters.

Think of it like an AI writing room

Youbooks doesn’t rely on just one AI model — it combines the strengths of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama to create deeply researched, well-structured, and engaging content up to 300,000 words long. It even does real-time internet research while it writes, so that the facts and stats in your book are up to date. Want it to sound like you? You can upload style samples and personal notes so the tone is spot-on.

You define the concept, tone, and direction. Youbooks does the heavy lifting.

Whether you’re a coach looking to package your insights, a content creator repurposing your podcast, or an entrepreneur ready to build authority with a branded book, Youbooks makes it simple — and a little bit thrilling. With full commercial rights, you can publish, sell, or distribute your books as you see fit.

You get 150,000 monthly credits, enough to generate hefty manuscripts or multiple smaller projects. And the platform is built for growth, so you’ll get access to updates and improvements as they roll out.

Youbooks takes your idea, adds AI superpowers, and hands you back a book. No subscriptions. No writer’s block.

Get lifetime access to Youbooks while it’s on sale for just $49 (reg. $540) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks - AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription $49
$540 Save $491 Get Deal

TL;DR: Save big on a Grade A refurbished 16″ MacBook Pro (2019) with a gorgeous Retina display, upgraded keyboard, 11-hour battery, and powerhouse specs — for just $579.99 (MSRP: $2,799).

Whether you’re outfitting your college-bound kid with a dependable machine or treating yourself to a serious productivity upgrade, this offer is one of those rare “wait, really?” moments. For just $579.99, you get a Grade A refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019) — a powerful Apple laptop that originally sold for nearly five times the price.

Let’s talk highlights: a gorgeous Retina display, the improved Magic Keyboard (no more butterfly blues), 11-hour battery life, and a powerful combo of a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. That’s enough firepower to handle everything from Final Cut Pro to 50-tab Chrome browsing marathons.

Oh, and it’s rocking the Touch Bar — love it or leave it, it still looks futuristic as heck — and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics for smooth video editing and design. Whether it’s your main rig, your college toolkit, or your on-the-go creative companion, this MacBook Pro still punches well above its (heavily discounted) price tag.

And let’s not forget versatility. The 16-inch MacBook Pro isn’t just built for creatives — though it can handle Photoshop and Final Cut like a dream — it’s also a solid fit for anyone who juggles spreadsheets, Zoom calls, emails, and everything in between. Thanks to macOS’s seamless integration with iPhones and iPads, it’s an ideal machine for anyone already in the Apple ecosystem.

With a Grade A refurb rating, it arrives in near-mint condition, ready to go right out of the box. You just saved over two grand. Feel free to brag.

Get this MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for just $579.99 (MSRP $2,799) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 16" (2019) 2.6GHz Core i7 Touch Bar 32GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $579.99
$2,799 Save $2,219.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Thousands of retro games, 4K visuals, and dual OS magic — this nostalgia-packed retro gaming console is just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through September 7.

If your ideal weekend includes mashing buttons, pixelated dragons, and yelling “Hadouken!” at your screen, this one’s for you. The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is a plug-and-play nostalgia machine loaded with thousands of retro and 3D games. And it’s only $89.97 at the moment (reg. $159.99). No monthly subscriptions, no in-app nonsense. Just pure gaming joy, straight out of the box.

What makes this console such a homerun? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro takes your favorite childhood gaming memories, upgrades the graphics, adds Wi-Fi, and packs it all into a sleek, plug-and-play system that costs less than a new controller.

You’re getting two powerful systems in one: Android 9.0 for apps and streaming, plus EmuELEC 4.6 for all your retro gaming needs. It supports 4K UHD video output, and the included dual wireless controllers mean you and a buddy can dive into head-to-head battles or co-op sessions without fuss.

The X2 Pro comes pre-loaded with classics across platforms — think Zelda, Final Fantasy VII, Sonic, Street Fighter II, and thousands more — plus you can download even more 3D games for free. Whether you’re revisiting your childhood favorites or introducing younger family members to the golden age of gaming, this console brings all the magic back.

Add in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two operating systems, and compatibility with TVs, projectors, or even your laptop, and this little gray box turns any screen into an arcade.

Don’t miss getting the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro while it’s just $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal

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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• British and Irish Lions vs. Argentina — June 20

• British and Irish Lions vs. Western Force — June 28

• British and Irish Lions vs. Queensland Reds — July 2

• British and Irish Lions vs. NSW Warratahs — July 5

• British and Irish Lions vs. ACT Brumbies — July 9

• British and Irish Lions vs. Invitational AU-NZ — July 12

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (1st Test) — July 19

• British and Irish Lions vs. First Nations & Pasifika XV — July 22

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (2nd Test) — July 26

• British and Irish Lions vs. Australia (3rd Test) — Aug. 2

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is your backlog of games not quite long enough? Lucky you, since we have three more indie games to add to your library. This month we’ve got a retro-inspired driving game, a laid-back but dark city-builder, and the best new survival crafter of the last few years.

Over the last few weeks, Microsoft has focused on improving automation, compatibility, and productivity in Excel for Windows, Mac, and the web. Here are five new features to look out for this month.

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.

You can program without programming tools, and integrated development environments (IDEs) are popular among developers. I take a different approach. I treat my Linux system, with its array of programming tools, as an IDE in itself.

Google’s link shortener used to be an incredibly popular service, but the ability to create links was turned off in 2018. Google said all links would stop working this year, and even though the company is partially reversing course, many links across the web will still become broken.