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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, July 31, 2025:

AcrossArm-y greeting

• The answer is Hug.

Undiluted ... or a country with its vowels swapped

• The answer is Pure.

Ballroom dance ... or a country with its vowels swapped

• The answer is Tango.

Played a role

• The answer is Acted.

Eisenberg of "The Social Network"

• The answer is Jesse.

DownKetchup brand

• The answer is Hunts.

Eggs on

• The answer is Urged.

Crystal-lined rock

• The answer is Geode.

Marathoner's concern

• The answer is Pace.

___ Mahal

• The answer is Taj.

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

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

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

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

Maintaining fitness and health is a constant struggle, with a lazy morning in bed often much more alluring than a sweaty gym session. As such, anything which might help encourage you and keep you on track can make a significant difference.

Here are four fitness gadgets that may help set you up for success in reaching your health goals.

SEE ALSO: Withings Body Comp smart scale review: For better or worse, I'm obsessed Withings Body Scan smart scale Credit: Withings

One of the keys to good health is consistency. Even so, it's easy to give up when the mirror doesn't seem to be reflecting any impact from your regular workouts. 

Withings' Body Scan smart scale helps address this challenge by measuring your body composition as well as your weight, showing you the progress that may otherwise be hard to see. Using handheld electrodes, the Body Scan utilises bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to determine your percentage of fat and muscle. This means that even if your weight seems stagnant, you can take heart in knowing that your heart work is still paying off in fat loss and muscle gains.

According to Withings, the Body Scan's handheld electrodes make it more accurate than the Body Comp smart scales, which measure body composition using the user's feet. Even so, either set of scales is suitable if you want to track trends in your muscle and fat percentage, which will be the most important data for many users. After all, fitness is a journey, not a destination.

Withings Body Scan smart scale $499.95 at Amazon
Shop Now R.A.D One V2 gym shoe Credit: R.A.D

Specialised gym shoes aren't technically a workout necessity. Countless people work out in ratty old trainers every day. Even so, thoughtfully selected footwear can make exercise more comfortable, as well as lower your risk of injury. As such, the R.A.D One V2 shoe is worth your consideration if you're looking to upgrade your gym gear.

Designed specifically for the gym, the R.A.D One V2 has a wide toe box for stability when lifting yet still fits snugly around the heel, offering a secure fit even for those with broader feet. It also has a noticeably grippy sole, ensuring your feet aren’t shifting as you strain yourself under your weights. Such grip makes the R.A.D One V2 particularly suited for activities such as CrossFit, though it's also a decent gym all-rounder.

The R.A.D One V2's aesthetics may not be for everyone, with a contrasting coloured wave pattern along the sides of the shoe. However, choosing a colourway in which the wave is the same colour as the shoe makes this much less ostentatious.

Opens in a new window Credit: R.A.D R.A.D One V2 $150
Shop Now Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Credit: Samsung

Fitness trackers have become ubiquitous gadgets for anyone interested in monitoring their health. Most measure data such as your heart rate and the number of steps you take per day, as well as track your exercise and sleep. 

The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 does all this, but takes it a step further (no pun intended) by introducing an antioxidant index. This intriguing new feature measures users' carotenoids, which are pigments found in plants. Simply press your thumb to the back of the Watch8, and its light-activated sensor will detect carotenoids in your skin, offering an indication of whether you're getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. (Spoiler alert: you probably aren't.)

Skin carotenoids have a high correlation to carotenoids in blood, which is widely used as an indicator of a person's vegetable intake level. Carotenoids' strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects play an important part in slowing aging, as well as cancer and chronic diseases, so you're definitely going to want to make sure you're keeping those levels up.

Though diet is a crucial piece of the health puzzle, it's difficult for fitness trackers to gauge. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8's antioxidant index offers a handy reminder to add more veggies to your plate, and might help make you more mindful of what you eat.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch8 $349.99
Shop Now WalkingPad C2 foldable walking treadmill Credit: WalkingPad

Incorporating enough movement into your day can be difficult when you work a desk job. As such, many health-conscious corporate slaves who work from home have turned to walking pads, grinding out their daily steps during their daily grind.

The WalkingPad C2 foldable treadmill is a good option to consider for this purpose, especially for anyone working with limited space. Its ability to fold in half means it can be neatly tucked away when not in use — albeit only under furniture that is significantly elevated off the ground. The walking pad measures over 5 inches (13cm) thick when folded, so storing it under a table may be more realistic than sliding it under a couch. Wherever you position it, the C2's foldable design means it won't have a large footprint of your living space. It also had a set of wheels on one end, so you can move it in front of your TV while you binge The Bachelor on the weekend. 

With a top speed of 6km/h, the WalkingPad C2 comes with a handy three-button remote control for adjusting the pace. It also has an auto mode which ostensibly detects your speed and adjusts accordingly, though Mashable's testing found it felt precarious and accelerated too quickly (which is particularly dangerous considering the C2 has no handlebars). Even so, manual mode is all you really need, and is enjoyable and easy to use. Combined with its ability to fold for storage, the WalkingPad C2 is a tempting choice for apartment dwellers.

WalkingPad C2 foldable walking treadmill Shop Now

TL;DR: Youbooks is a unique AI tool that combines AI models to write your book how you want it, and it’s only £37.05 for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks - AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription £37.05
£408.32 Save £371.27 Get Deal

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book but got stuck on where to start, Youbooks can help get you over that hurdle. This AI-powered platform helps transform your ideas into professional-quality non-fiction books, and right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for just £37.05.

AI can write your book

What makes Youbooks stand from other AI tools is its use of multiple AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama, to craft well-rounded and coherent content. You can create massive manuscripts of up to 300,000 words, so whether you’re a content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, Youbooks gives you a solid way to bring your ideas to life.

You can even upload your own research, documents, or notes to steer the AI in the right direction and make sure the final product reflects your voice and expertise. Plus, Youbooks taps into real-time web research to pull in current facts and stats, keeping your book accurate and up to date.

You also have a lot of flexibility when it comes to style. You can set the tone and writing style you want, and once your book is ready, you own it completely. You’re free to publish, sell, or share it however you like.

With 150,000 monthly credits included (and the option to stack codes for more), there’s plenty of room to create.

It’s now only £37.05 to get a Youbooks lifetime subscription.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Being promoted after a leader fails is a unique leadership challenge. You’re inheriting instability, not just a new title. If you’ve just stepped into such a role, here’s how to steady the ship and succeed where your predecessor didn’t.  Expect the unexpected. The underlying situation may be worse than you think. Broken systems, frayed trust, […]

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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

Attractive.

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

HUNKY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To go fast.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPEED

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The sound a duck makes.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

QUACK

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Deadly.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 1 Hurdle Word 4 answer

FATAL

Final Hurdle hint

Not before or during.

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

AFTER

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

It's a half moon tonight, with the whole of the right side on display for us. Keep reading to find out what this means, and where we are in 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. 

See what's happening tonight, Aug. 1.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Aug. 1, the moon phase is First Quarter. This phase occurs when the moon is half lit up. NASA confirms this, according to the Daily Moon Observation, it is 50% lit up tonight.

It's day eight of the lunar cycle, and the first moon in August. What can we see tonight? With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Serenitatis, 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, you'll also see the Endymion Crater, the Mare Nectaris, and the Posidonius Crater, a lava-filled impact crater that's visible from the fifth to the 19th day of the lunar cycle. Add a telescope to the mix, and you'll also see the Linne Crater, Apollo 11, and Apollo 16.

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.

Online privacy is in short supply, but that doesn't make it any less important. Your data is seriously valuable stuff, and you should be doing everything you can to protect it when navigating the online world. And if you watch porn, you should be even more vigilant.

We're going to take a wild guess that you'd prefer to be protected from the prying eyes of advertisers, your internet service provider (ISP), and your roommates when you're visiting porn sites. If that is indeed the case, you should consider investing in a VPN. These cybersecurity services also provide everything you need to unblock porn sites, circumvent geo-restrictions, and stream adult content anonymously.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide powerful protection for your data and identity when you're online. VPNs offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location), making all of your activity untraceable and secure. Incognito mode could never.

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder is a borderline-porn hookup site that's stuck in the past

This concept can be difficult to grasp, so it can be helpful to think of VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. It's all about anonymity and cybersecurity, and that's particularly important if you're watching porn.

Do you need a VPN for porn?

There are two key reasons to consider a VPN for porn: anonymity and access.

The first reason is perhaps the most important. If you're concerned about your ISP, housemates, landlord, or someone totally random accessing your data, you could probably benefit from using a VPN. Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. Even porn sites can track your activity if you're unprotected. Pornhub tracks IP addresses for example, which means it has the potential to collect information about your site usage. But with a VPN, your IP address will always remain hidden.

Remaining private and anonymous is the key argument for using a VPN for porn, but there's another point to consider concerning access to your favorite sites. If you're in a location that has a firewall up to block access to porn sites, you'll need to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another location, meaning you can bypass firewalls to stream on your favorite sites from anywhere in the world.

What features should you consider when selecting a VPN?

There are a number of things to consider before selecting a VPN for porn. We have highlighted a selection of the most important VPN features to help you make a decision:

• Connection speed — VPNs generally produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. Make sure you opt for a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't stream porn without disruption.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and while it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best services will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously vital when navigating porn sites because you need to know that your data is secure.

• Number of connections — Leading VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, while others limit you to just a single device. Prioritize services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can stay secure on all your devices at the same time. You might stream pornography on a number of devices, so it's best to secure everything with the same account.

• Privacy policy — This is something that some users might take for granted, but you need to pay special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. These practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't, you should not subscribe. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your favorite VPN should not store these details under any circumstances, as that would negate the whole anonymity thing.

• Server network — The top VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming porn.

SEE ALSO: Lawsuit says Meta pirated and distributed porn to train its AI

You also need to consider things like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start with your selection process. Once you've picked a favorite option, you can consider the wide range of subscription plans on offer from leading services. There should be something that suits everyone.

Should you use free VPNs?

The big question when it comes to watching porn securely is whether you need to pay for a VPN. The bad news is that, just as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with these cybersecurity services.

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The catch is that free versions usually come with limited data usage, meaning you can't really do any streaming or downloading. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

Considering all of this, the best option for unblocking porn sites and streaming anonymously is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to cough up the cash.

What is the best VPN for porn?

Based on our in-depth tests of the top VPN services, we're here to recommend the best VPNs for porn in 2025.

When you call a series Chief of War, you're setting an expectation for jaw-dropping battle sequences and wartime chaos. It's unsurprising, then, that Apple TV+'s new historical epic carries those in spades — and boy, do they deliver. From a horrifying beach invasion to an unforgettable volcanic showdown, Chief of War delivers enough adrenaline-fueled fight scenes to make you feel like you can run through a wall or two.

Yet for as much as those battles stuck with me — and granted, I'm a sucker for epic battles — it's Chief of War's lulls between storms that wound up sticking with me the most. Here, the series tells a tale about the corrupting power of prophecy, and about the compromises people make in order to ensure their survival. These themes undoubtedly heighten the stakes of Chief of War's spectacular battles, although they occasionally risk being drowned out by the spectacles themselves.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Aug. 1, 2025) What's Chief of War about? Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Credit: Apple TV+

Co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, Chief of War aims to tell the story of the unification of Hawaii from an Indigenous perspective. The show's primarily Polynesian cast, led by Momoa, spends the vast majority of the series speaking in Hawaiian, while an army of cultural consultants worked behind the scenes to ensure cultural and historical authenticity. Their efforts, along with those of Chief of War's entire production team, create an immersive, stunning look back through time, as the series transports viewers to the Hawaiian Islands at the end of the 18th century.

As the series opens, the kingdoms of O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, and Hawai'i are trapped in a non-stop cycle of war. A prophecy foretells that one day a great king will unite the kingdoms and end these wars. However, that prophecy has only made kings believe that they'll be the ones to unite the kingdom, further exacerbating conflict.

SEE ALSO: The 38 best Apple TV+ shows, ranked

At the center of it all is Maui warrior Ka'iana (Momoa), one of many real-life figures who appear in the series. His introductory scene involves him lassoing then killing a full-grown shark. If that doesn't convince you how strong he is (or what kind of larger-than-life spectacle you're in for), I don't think anything else could.

Despite his strength, Ka'iana has no illusions that he is the prophesied king. Instead, those illusions belong to Maui's King Kahekili (Temuera Morrison), who kicks off a bloody campaign to unite the kingdoms. In this case, "unite" really means "brutally conquer and kill," all of which horrifies Ka'iana and leads him to desert Kahekili and Maui. Torn between kingdoms, traditions, and calls for war or peace, can Ka'iana help bring the Hawaiian Islands to a united future with as little bloodshed as possible?

Chief of War takes a thoughtful look at prophecy and the threats of colonialism. Luciane Buchanan in "Chief of War." Credit: Apple TV+

The prophecy at the center of Chief of War leads to some of the show's most fascinating developments. Kahekili approaches it with a religious fervor, slowly descending into madness the more he strives to accomplish what he believes to be his right. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Hawai'i, counselors believe Kamehameha (Kaina Makua) to be the prophesied leader, pushing him towards conflict even as he prefers to choose peace. The two are polar opposites when it comes to prophecy, one actively trying to shape it to his will, the other taking his own course of action. Who is "correct" in their approach to shaping history? That's a question Ka'iana wrestles with throughout the season, especially as he reckons with his own relationship to war.

Described as "a chief of contradictions" by Kamehameha's wife Ka'ahumanu (Luciane Buchanan), Ka'iana sits at several crossroads. He's from Maui but comes to serve Hawai'i. He's a Chief of War who initially wanted peace. He's also one of the few Hawaiian characters to spend considerable amounts of time among Europeans and Americans. In that time, he learns to speak English and how to use a gun, a weapon that he comes to believe will turn the tide of war against Kahekili.

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

Ka'iana's quest to obtain more guns leads down discussions of trade, of letting Europeans and Americans come to the Hawaiian Islands. If he is to be victorious using guns, Chief of War hints, the price of his victory will be colonization. So even though the conflicts between the various kingdoms take place on an epic scale, there's also a sense of claustrophobia, as the show makes it clear that outside colonial powers are slowly closing in. That creeping fear permeates much of the show, especially the quieter moments when Ka'iana and his friends and family wonder at how much he's changed since his time among white people.

Chief of War's battles are great, but are they too much? Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Credit: Apple TV+

For all its mulling on prophecy and the creep of colonialism, Chief of War also wants to knock your socks off with action. Hey, starting the show with a shark-killing scene sets the bar pretty high for the level of epic you're going to get. That level only gets higher and higher as the series continues, culminating in a literally earth-shattering battle that had me writing "this goes so hard" over and over in my notes. (Again, sucker for epic battles over here.)

But for a show where so much time is spent on debating whether war is the correct course of action, does Chief of War go too far when it comes to creating glorious spectacle out of blood and guts and gore? Are the lingering shots on throat-slitting and bone-snapping meant to shock and awe, or to remind viewers of the horrors of war?

Ultimately, a show can do multiple things at once, including hold those two truths simultaneously. There are certainly moments when Chief of War's violence stunned me into silence, like a massacre that emphasizes the perils of treating with colonial powers. And there are others that made me let out a big "hell yeah," even if they could feel a tad like they were undermining some of the show's broader themes. Look, sometimes you just need to see Momoa rip a man's tongue out with his bare hands.

You'll get plenty of both kinds of moment in Chief of War, and while the balance isn't always right, it's immediately engaging — and an undeniable landmark achievement for Polynesian representation.

Chief of War hits Apple TV+ Aug. 1.

Tabletop gaming has always relied on the sale of physical items like books and miniatures, so that the companies that support these games can stay in business.

Before you download, open, or share files from the internet, you need to be sure they’re safe. And how do you do that? I simply use a file scanner to check for known threats like malware, viruses, and more. You can even use them to scan suspicious files already sitting on your computer. But be mindful about uploading files with personal details, because some scanners may share scan results with the security community, of course, with your consent.

There are constantly new, more powerful handheld gaming PCs hitting the market, which means that you're probably going to have an old one around at some point, or that the used market will be flooded with last-gen handhelds.

Earlier this year, ESPN announced a new all-access streaming service to deliver endless sports content to fans. Today, we learned that it'll be included free with several DirecTV bundles. Yes, DirecTV is dishing out free access to ESPN Unlimited in its MySports bundle and other goodies for select customers.

Nobody likes manually signing into websites, which is why autofill has become such an important feature in many browsers. Google Chrome does this really well with the Google Password Manager, but there's always been a bit of a security oversight. That's now been fixed on Android, thankfully.

If you have a Meta Quest 2 or later, then you know that it has a USB-C port. After all, that's how you charge it! However, you might not know that this little port has a few more tricks up its sleeve.

Social media in 2025 is…complicated. It can still be fun and informative, but it takes a lot more effort to get there. There’s engagement bait, tons of ads, and “suggested” content you didn't ask for around every corner. Thankfully, there’s an old internet standard that can cut through the noise.

If you’ve ever opened a command-line window on Windows and wondered which tool you should be using, you’re not alone. Between Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Terminal, knowing when to choose each can make a big difference in how efficiently you work.

Steam might get a lot of praise, but there are a few aspects that definitely needed work. The video player most often used for game trailers has been buggy for years, and now Steam is finally giving it a much-needed overhaul. No more jumping over to YouTube.

As I write this, we're right in the middle of fourth-generation Apple Silicon. The Cupertino house that Steve Jobs built took one of the biggest swings in tech history by pivoting to its own chips, and saying it was a homerun is something of an understatement.

TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at A$45 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$45
AU$350 Save AU$305 Get Deal

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending A$10 monthly (or A$107 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for A$45.

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The codes for this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows are limited, so get yours now while it's available for A$45 (reg. A$350).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

UPDATE: Jul. 31, 2025, 2:20 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to include the streaming details of "Alien: Earth."

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There's a new addition to the Alien universe and for the first time, it's in the form of a TV series. Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 8, nearly a year to the day after Alien: Romulus, the latest film in the Alien franchise, hit theaters.

Created by Noah Hawley, the Emmy-winning creator of Fargo and Legion, Alien: Earth is set in 2120, two years before the events of the 1979 original Alien movie. And this time it doesn't drag us to the deepest reaches of space — it brings extraterrestrial horror to our home planet.

Unlike many other film franchises, all of the Alien films currently live inside one streaming app — from the original to 2024's Alien: Romulus. As of Aug. 8, that will also include the Alien: Earth series. It's a modern-day streaming miracle, truly. Here are all the juicy details on how to watch the entire Alien franchise online (and in order).

How many Alien movies are there?

There are seven films in the classic Alien franchise, including the newest release, Alien: Romulus. Prior films include Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), and Alien: Covenant (2017). There are also two crossover films to add to your binge if you really want to complete the saga, although no one will blame you if you skip AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). Then, of course, the new FX series Alien: Earth adds a new layer of lore into the mix.

How to watch the Alien films in order

Like any good franchise, the official release order of the films and new series differs from the actual narrative. The order you watch them is completely up to you. If you want to simply watch the whole franchise in release order, it would go like this:

• Alien (1979)

• Aliens (1986)

• Alien 3 (1992)

• Alien Resurrection (1997)

• AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

• Prometheus (2012)

• Alien: Covenant (2017)

• Alien: Romulus (2024)

• Alien: Earth (2025)

If you're more into the timeline jumps and lore of it all, you'll probably want to watch in chronological order. Though it's the newest film in the franchise, Romulus takes place somewhere in the 57-year gap between Alien and Aliens. And the new series is basically a prequel to the original Alien, set two years before. So story-wise, your marathon would go something like this:

• Prometheus (2012)

• Alien: Covenant (2017)

• Alien: Earth (2025)

• Alien (1979)

• Alien: Romulus (2024)

• Aliens (1986)

• Alien 3 (1992)

• Alien Resurrection (1997)

How to watch the entire Alien franchise online

Thanks to Hulu, you can watch every single Alien movie in one place — including the latest film Alien: Romulus, which made its streaming debut last fall. And while Alien: Earth is an FX series, it will stream simultaneously on Hulu — the official streaming home of FX.

It's becoming rare for an entire franchise to live on a single streamer, so you should definitely take advantage of your chance to enjoy an Alien marathon. Hulu subscriptions start at just $9.99 per month. Plus, there are plenty of ways to save on a subscription. We've rounded up all the best Hulu streaming deals below.

Is there a Hulu free trial?

New to Hulu or returning after a while? You can kick off your streaming with a free 30-day trial. That's the most generous of any streamer. Just remember that if you want to avoid charges, you'll have to cancel your subscription before the 30 days are up. If you choose to keep it going, it'll cost you $9.99 per month with ads or $18.99 without.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free 30-day trial, then $9.99 per month Get Deal The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription Free 30-day trial, then $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

If you just want to save some money after your trial ends, you can sign up for an annual Hulu subscription instead of monthly and save about 16%. Hulu with ads now costs $9.99 per month, but if you pay annually, that monthly fee drops down to just $8.33 per month. Sure, you'll have to pay more upfront, but in the long run, it'll save you about $19.89 total.

Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 45% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $10.99 per month (save 45%) Get Deal

Want more bang for your buck? You can bundle Hulu with Disney+ (with ads) for just $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more per month and about 45% in savings for access to another entire streaming library. Even better, if you're a sports fan, you can add ESPN+ into the mix for just $16.99 per month and save 47% on all three streaming services.

Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 80%) Get Deal

As long as you're a college student, you can sign up for Hulu for just $1.99 per month instead of the usual $9.99 per month. That's 80% in savings for the ad-supported plan. You'll just have to verify your student status using SheerID in order to secure the deal.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

T-Mobile customers on the Go5G Next or any Experience Beyond plans now get Hulu with ads included with their plan for no extra cost. And that's on top of the already stacked streaming lineup of Netflix and Apple TV+. Just head over to the T-Mobile promo page and click on "redeem now" to claim your offer if you haven't already. You'll just have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up.

Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll have to take action to keep your subscription alive.