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TL;DR: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $69.97 (reg. $219) for a lifetime license.

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

When it comes to software, subscription fatigue is real. Between streaming services, cloud storage, and productivity tools, it sometimes feels like your paycheck disappears into a cloud of monthly fees. Here’s a chance to hit pause on at least one of those bills. A lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $69.97 (reg. $219).

That means no monthly or annual renewals and no “trial ending soon” emails. Just one purchase that lasts as long as your Mac does.

SEE ALSO: Get Windows 11 Pro before Microsoft ends support for Windows 10

With this license, you’ll get the classic suite of Microsoft apps that professionals, students, and small businesses rely on every day:

• Word for documents and reports

• Excel for data and budgets

• PowerPoint for presentations that actually impress

• Outlook for managing email and scheduling like a pro

• OneNote for capturing ideas (because sticky notes never cut it)

• Teams (basic) for collaboration that actually works

Setup is simple. Redeem your code, download, and you’re ready to go. No complicated licensing hoops, no surprise charges. And since this license ties to your Microsoft account rather than your device, you’ll keep access even if you upgrade to a new Mac down the road.

Think of it this way: for less than the cost of a few weeks of lattes at work, you’re getting a software suite that powers your work, school, and side hustles — indefinitely.

If you want Microsoft Office on your Mac without the subscription strings, this $69.97 offer might be the smartest money you’ll spend this year.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a refurbished Apple MacBook Air for $199.97 (reg. $999) — 12-hour battery, 128GB storage, and Intel Core i5 performance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03 Get Deal

Need a solid laptop that can handle everyday tasks without dipping into your savings? This refurbished Apple MacBook Air delivers the perfect mix of performance, portability, and price — now just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping during this Labor Day sale.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this Air breezes through web browsing, email, shopping, streaming, and basic work projects. It’s paired with 128GB of flash storage, giving you plenty of space for documents, photos, and apps, all while keeping things zippy.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks in 2025: Air or Pro?

And with 12 hours of battery life, you won’t be tethered to an outlet, whether you’re at home, at the office, or camped out at a coffee shop.

The 13.3-inch widescreen display with 1440×900 resolution allows your movies, spreadsheets, and FaceTime calls to look sharp and vibrant. Meanwhile, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth make it easy to stay connected and share files across your devices.

This machine isn’t just affordable; it’s also worry-free. With its Grade A/B refurbished rating, you may notice a tiny scuff or scratch, but inside, you’re getting a fully functional MacBook ready to roll.

At this price, it’s perfect as a primary laptop, a backup machine, or even a dedicated travel computer. Lightweight, reliable, and sleek — it’s the kind of deal that makes sense whether you’re working, learning, or just binge-watching.

Get this refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air while it’s on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping through Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE UP TO $800: Purple's Labor Day sale is live until Sept. 9. Purple is offering up to $500 off mattresses and $300 off bases for Labor Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Labor Day Sale Shop Now

It's time to start prioritizing good sleep, and that means a comfortable bed and mattress.

Let's be honest, how many of us are settling for old, lumpy mattresses and rickety beds we've had for years? A good bed and mattress are essential for proper spinal alignment, helping to support your posture while you sleep. They also reduce pressure on joints and muscles, as well as improving your overall comfort. We all want comfort, right?

SEE ALSO: Soundcore's sleep earbuds with active noise cancellation are finally available to purchase

With this in mind, why not check out Purple's Labor Day sale? A major shopping event is always a great time to upgrade, and Purple is offering up to $500 off mattresses and $300 off bases for a limited time. For example, the RestorePremier Hybrid Mattress is reduced from $3,999 to $3,499, and there's an opportunity to add on the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base, reduced from $1,895 to $1,595.

We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of deals to get you started.

The best Purple Labor Day deals

• The Purple Mattress — $1,299 $1,499

• Purple Premium Plus Smart Base — $1,595 $1,895

• PurplePlus Mattress — $1,599 $1,899

• Restore Hybrid Mattress — $2,099 $2,399

• Rejuvenate Mattress — $4,499 $4,999

Shop the best deals from the Purple Labor Day sale right now.

TL;DR: Get an ASUS Chromebook with a detachable touchscreen on sale for $169.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) $169.99
$329.99 Save $160 Get Deal

Sometimes, the newest computer isn’t the best option.

If you’re looking for a computer you can take with you to school or work with on the go, a brand-new expensive laptop might be going overboard. Instead, check out this ASUS Chromebook. It’s lightweight, has a detachable keyboard, and it’s on sale for $169.99 (reg. $329.99).

A Chromebook for under $200

This ASUS Chromebook is a practical option for everyday tasks like writing, web browsing, and video calls. It runs ChromeOS, which means it boots up fast, stays updated automatically, and is easy to manage. If you already use Google Docs or Gmail, you’ll feel right at home.

It comes with a 10.5-inch touchscreen that detaches from the keyboard, so you can switch between laptop and tablet modes depending on what you’re doing. The included stylus charges while it’s stored in the chassis, and it’s useful for jotting notes, marking up documents, or navigating apps more precisely.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks in 2025: Air or Pro?

Inside, it has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is plenty for basic tasks. The MediaTek Kompanio processor handles multitasking smoothly, and the battery lasts up to 12 hours, so you can get through a full day without recharging. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, dual 5MP cameras, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. The build is solid too, with a military-grade aluminum chassis that feels durable without being bulky.

This is an open box model, meaning it was likely returned or overstocked, but the device itself has been tested, cleaned, and verified in brand-new condition. It comes with a one-year warranty.

If you need a reliable computer you can take anywhere, get an ASUS Chromebook on sale for $169.99. Limited stock is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Being a woman on the internet can be tough, but trying to find a genuine connection on a dating app can feel even tougher. Between the emboldened creeps, endless swiping, and surprisingly convincing AI profiles, it's enough to make you wonder if applying for Love Island is a more sane alternative. (Spoiler alert: it's not.)

But meeting someone great online isn't impossible — millions of women have found a partner online. You just need to pick the right apps. That's why our team of dating and relationship experts put the top dating apps for women to the test. We created profiles, paid for premium features, and spent weeks searching for the good, the bad, and the unsolicited DMs to find out which dating apps truly offer a better, safer experience for women.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z is less comfortable with AI dating app features than millennials, survey finds

If you're tired of being single and swiping, then skip the hookup apps and try an app built for matchmaking and serious long-term relationships. And if you are feeling "Hot to Go!", we put Tinder through its paces to see if it's still worth trying in 2025.

So, get the download on all the best dating apps for women, and find the app where your future partner could be waiting right now.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get “dates” (I use that term loosely here) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like HUD and Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, really) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discrete sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped and vetted them all. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to use hookup apps successfully, according to the experts

For best results, I recommend downloading a handful of apps (niche dating apps, too!) and experimenting to see what feels right. When you're scrolling through the apps, skip the ones that scream "romance" (we're looking at you, eharmony).

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

Thanks to our favorite free dating apps, you don't have to pay for a premium membership to get results, though there are definite perks if you do. My take? Start out on the free versions. Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge are all good contenders to kick things off. (Pure is also free for women.) These popular dating apps let you scout, match, and connect with potential partners for free. Think of it as a "try before you buy" situation.

SEE ALSO: Mashable asked single people what dating is really like in 2025

“I think the free tonight section on Tinder makes it really easy to find a hookup,” says Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai. “After talking to 90 of our users at TinderProfile.ai, we found that people who sent their first message in the free tonight section after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher success rate for hookups than people who swiped earlier in the day on the general section on a weekday and tried to plan out a date.”

Finally, no matter which platform you choose, be upfront and honest about what you want. Because of all the feature-copying happening in the apps lately, most now have special features to let others know you're looking for something casual.

The best hookup apps of 2025

Whether you’re looking for a one-night stand, a friends-with-benefits sitch, or just want to explore your sexuality, the right app will connect you with someone who’s on the same page. So, I’ve rounded up the best hookup app for every type of dater, based on my hands-on testing, expert opinions, and user reviews.

What didn't make the cut

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): After its recent rebrand, testing revealed key features, like free messaging for non-matches, were removed. We also noticed issues with repeat profiles. Overall, it doesn't bring anything unique to the dating app table that other apps aren't already doing better, meaning we no longer recommend it as a hookup app.

• Match (removed August 2025): Despite anecdotal user reports that Match has led to casual connections, we've decided to remove the titular Match Group app, which we still recommend for serious relationships.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 24, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 23, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must be 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this space must be 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

Greater than (2): Everything in this space must add up to more than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): The domino halves in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (16): The domino halves in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this blue space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): The domino halves in this space must be 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 24

Less than (3): Everything in this space must add up to less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): The domino halves in this red space must be 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): The domino halves in this blue space must be 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): The domino halves in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must add up to less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): The domino halves in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): The domino halves in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

An oversight.

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

LAPSE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A pinching tool.

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

PLIER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To recycle.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

REUSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To die.

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

CROAK

Final Hurdle hint

To get an answer.

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

SOLVE

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

The moon is starting to make a reappearance as we enter a new phase of 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 what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 24.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Aug. 24, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, and only 2% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There is still not enough of the moon lit up tonight to see anything on its surface, so keen moon gazers will need to wait a few more days.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, August 24, 2025:

AcrossPerch for a family photo

• The answer is Shelf.

Burnett with a variety show from 1967 to 1978

• The answer is Carol.

Plant that yields mezcal

• The answer is Agave.

Deceptive ploys

• The answer is Ruses.

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

• The answer is Yeesh.

DownHow a leap of faith might feel

• The answer is Scary.

Dutch seat of government, with "The"

• The answer is Hauge.

What many pencils can do that magic markers can't

• The answer is Erase.

Holds dear

• The answer is Loves.

___ and blood (kin)

• The answer is Flesh.

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.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 22, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Big stick

• Green: Florida mascots

• Blue: Darts

• Purple: MVP baseball players

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Used to Hit a Ball

• Green: A South Florida Athlete

• Blue: Darts Terms

• Purple: Angels to Win MVP

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #335 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Used to Hit a Ball - BAT, CLUB, PADDLE, RACKET

• A South Florida Athlete - BUCCANEER, DOLPHIN, MARLIN, PANTHER

• Darts Terms - BIG FISH, BULL'S-EYE, NINE-DARTER, OCHE

• Angels to Win MVP - BAYLOR, GUERRERO, OHTANI, TROUT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Drinking containers

• Green: Slashed

• Blue: Types of reptiles

• Purple: To ring

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: Wine vessels

• Green: Ripped

• Blue: Kinds of snakes

• Purple: ___ Call

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 #806 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Wine vessels: BOTTLE, CARAFE, DECANTER, GLASS

• Ripped: CLEFT, RENT, SPLIT, TORN

• Kinds of snakes: CORAL, GARTER, KING, RATTLE

• ___ Call: BOOTY, CLOSE, COLD, CURTAIN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Plug your ears

The words are volume-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of loud noises.

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 Hubbub.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 24

• Blasting

• Loud

• Boisterous

• Hubbub

• Noisy

• Strident

• Booming

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

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

A seed.

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 S.

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...

SPORE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

You've probably noticed a trend with recent smartphone launches that not everyone loves. The new Google Pixel 10 series looks almost identical to last year's Pixel 9 series, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 series looked very, very similar to last year's Galaxy S24 series. I don't think that's a big deal—let me explain.

While the shine of streaming services seems to be dulling right now, there's no getting around the fact that in the long run plastic discs with movies and shows on them will probably stop being a thing.

Vivaldi is the first truly unique browser I ever came across. It feels like it's built on a cohesive philosophy entirely, and even if other browsers can't copy that philosophy, they can steal the many awesome features this browser has.

If you want an affordable EV, buying used is still the smartest move. With new EVs averaging around $60,000 in the U.S., getting a nice one without spending a fortune can be tricky.

Sometimes you try to take a screenshot, but it turns out blank, or your phone freezes for a second and shows you a toast that it couldn't take the screenshot. It's a feature, not a bug.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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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.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 22, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Lost really badly

• Green: Euro locations

• Blue: NFL wideouts

• Purple: College Campuses

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Decisive Victory

• Green: Countries in Six Nations Rugby

• Blue: Names of NFL WRs

• Purple: Big 12 School Locations

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #334 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Decisive Victory - BLOWOUT, LANDSLIDE, ROMP, RUNAWAY

• Countries in Six Nations Rugby - ENGLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND, WALES

• Names of NFL WRs - CEEDEE, LADD, PUKA, ROME

• Big 12 School Locations - AMES, LAWRENCE, MANHATTAN, MORGANTOWN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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