Blogroll

Like Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel opened his show on Thursday night by addressing the shooting of far-right influencer Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA who aimed to spread right-wing ideologies through school campuses. Kirk had built up a social media following in the tens of millions, and was a close ally of president Trump.

In the clip above the late night show host talks about the shooting before condemning the "extraordinarily vile responses" he's seen "from both sides of the political spectrum," highlighting Trump's words about the "radical left".

"You'd think with all these terrible things happening our president would at least make an attempt to bring us together, but he didn't," says Kimmel. "Instead he blamed Democrats for their rhetoric. The man who told a crowd of supporters that maybe the second amendment people should do something about Hilary Clinton, the man who said he wouldn't mind if someone shot through the fake news media, the man who unleashed a mob on the Capitol and said Liz Cheney should face nine barrels shooting at her for supporting his opponent, blames the radical left for their rhetoric."

Apple launched its new Watches – the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 – earlier this week, but one important feature came with a asterisk.

The Hypertension Notification feature, available on Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, uses an optical sensor and machine learning to track and monitor signs of hypertension over a period of time. If high blood pressure is detected, the user will be nudged to check it out.

The only potential issue? At the time, Apple didn't have FDA clearance to launch the feature.

Now, we can report that that's been all sorted out. On Friday, Apple announced that the Hypertension Notification has been cleared by the FDA.

The delay wasn't a huge deal given that the new watches aren't available yet. Now, Apple says the feature will be available next week in more than 150 countries and regions around the world, including the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Apple is adding four new watch faces with watchOS 26

The cool news is that you don't really need the latest hardware to get these notifications; it comes with watchOS 26, and some of the older Watch models are supported, too. According to Apple, Hypertension Notification feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.

The Baltimorons is new to theaters, and by Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko's estimation, it's "the feel-good movie of 2025."

This endearing indie comedy stars Michael Strassner as an improv comedian who's having a really rough Christmas Eve when he meets a no-nonsense dentist (Liz Larsen) who changes everything. Strassner not only stars in the film as Baltimore local Cliff Cashen, but also co-wrote The Baltimorons with director Jay Duplass.

To celebrate the film's theatrical release, Mashable invited Duplass and Strassner to our Say More studio to embrace the improv fun and Baltimore roots of the movie with a special round of Say Action. In this game, players get a famous movie quote and a direction for delivering it. And as you'll see as these two comedy collaborators face off, the results are very funny.

Quotes from When Harry Met Sally, Terminator, and Scarface get a re-interpretation you'll never see coming. Who did it best? Sound off in comments.

And be sure to catch The Baltimorons. In her review, Puchko cheered, "The Baltimorons is an absolute gem. Deftly modern and smartly self-aware, it's not only one of the best things I saw out of SXSW, but assuredly one of the best films of 2025."

The Baltimorons is now playing in theaters nationwide.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the next big step for the series. It takes us back to Kalos, but not in the way you might remember. The game is set entirely in Lumiose City, which is undergoing a massive redevelopment project, and it plays very differently from any mainline Pokémon title before it.

Real-time battles replace the traditional turn-based system, Wild Zones take over as the main exploration areas, and Mega Evolution finally makes its comeback. With the release date set for Oct. 16, 2025, here’s everything you need to know about how it works, which Megas are confirmed, and what preorder bonuses you can expect.

Release date, platforms, and editions

The wait ends on Oct. 16, 2025, when Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches worldwide. The game will be available on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with an enhanced edition that runs better on the new hardware. Nintendo is even bundling the game with a Switch 2 console if you want to upgrade.

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A Physical Edition (Nintendo Switch) — $59.99

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A Physical Edition (Nintendo Switch 2) — $69.99

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A Digital Edition (Nintendo Switch 2) — $69.99

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A + Nintendo Switch 2 — $499.99

Preorder bonuses

If you preorder Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you’ll get a few extras to give you a head start. The most important one is a Mystery Gift Ralts that comes holding a Gardevoirite Stone, which means you can Mega Evolve Gardevoir much earlier than normal.

SEE ALSO: 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Mirror Edition' comes to PS5 and Xbox Series X: Release date and price info

Digital preorders also come with a bonus of 100 Poké Balls, which is handy for filling your Pokédex in the early hours, although you’ll need to redeem them before Feb. 28, 2026. Depending on where you buy, some retailers are also offering small collectibles such as pins, figurines, or tote bags.

Confirmed Mega Evolutions

Mega Evolution is officially back in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and it works a little differently this time. Instead of being permanent for the rest of the battle, Megas are powered by a Mega Gauge that fills as you deal damage. Once activated, the transformation only lasts for a limited time, although keeping up the pressure can extend it.

Many familiar Mega Evolutions from Pokémon X/Y and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire are returning, including Mega Charizard X and Y, Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Ampharos, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Sableye, Mega Altaria, Mega Absol, and Mega Lucario. On top of that, Game Freak is adding brand-new Mega forms.

Mega Victreebel is a monstrous plant with even stronger trapping abilities, while Mega Hawlucha bulks up into a powerhouse that emphasizes aerial combat. Mega Dragonite has taken design cues from Dragonair, giving it a sleeker but more powerful look. And Mega Malamar was revealed with a glowing, brain-enhanced form that amplifies its psychic and hypnotic abilities.

How the game works

This is not the same Pokémon structure you might be used to. Instead of a sprawling region with gyms, the entire game takes place within Lumiose City. The developers have carved the city into distinct Wild Zones that act as enclosed habitats where wild Pokémon roam. During the day, you can explore these areas, complete quests, and work on your Pokédex. At night, the city becomes much more dangerous, as Z-A Royale battles open up and trainers roam the streets looking for fights.

Combat itself is completely real-time. Each Pokémon’s moves run on cooldown timers instead of PP, so you need to think about timing and positioning. Trainers can move around freely, dodge attacks, and swap Pokémon mid-battle, which makes every fight more dynamic. Alpha Pokémon return as oversized, aggressive wild encounters that feel more like boss fights, and Rogue Mega Pokémon sometimes appear as even tougher challenges.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

The ranking system ties directly into these night battles. Everyone starts at Rank Z and can climb all the way to Rank A by competing in promotion battles. Completing side quests and bonus missions also helps you climb the ladder, which makes exploring every part of the city worth your time.

Progression is tied to your Rotom Phone Pokédex, which tracks catches, habitats, and evolutions. You’ll also be collecting Mega Shards throughout the city, which can be traded for Mega Stones at specialized shops like the Stone Emporium. Each Wild Zone also has its own crown system that rewards you for completing the local Pokédex in that area.

Strategy tips

Getting started in Pokémon Legends: Z-A can be overwhelming, especially with all the new mechanics. A good rule of thumb is to stay mobile, since dodging and positioning can be just as important as which move you use. You’ll also want to manage your cooldowns carefully. If you fire off all your strongest moves back-to-back, you might find yourself waiting helplessly while enemies close in.

It’s smart to use the daytime to farm items and prepare your team, then take on the riskier Royale battles at night once you’re ready. A balanced team is essential, so make sure your party covers multiple weaknesses before heading into trainer duels. And finally, prioritize unlocking Mega Evolutions as soon as you can. Getting a Mega-ready Gardevoir or Charizard early can completely change the flow of tougher fights.

Where to buy 'Borderlands 4' Buy for PC Borderlands 4 $69.99 at Fanatical Shop Now Buy for PS5 Borderlands 4 $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now Buy for Xbox Borderlands 4 $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now Buy for Switch 2 Borderlands 4 $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now

Borderlands 4 is finally here. After six years of waiting, Gearbox has returned with a looter-shooter that reimagines the series while staying true to its chaotic roots. This time, the fight moves to the fractured planet Kairos, where four brand-new Vault Hunters take center stage.

If you’re jumping in today, you’ll want to know which Vault Hunter suits your playstyle, how to make the most of your first playthrough, and how to set yourself up for the grind that comes after the credits roll. This guide covers all of that in detail.

SEE ALSO: 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Mirror Edition' comes to PS5 and Xbox Series X: Release date and price info Best Vault Hunter builds at launch

Each of the four new Vault Hunters has distinct strengths, but not all builds are equal at level one. Here’s how to get the most out of each character from the start:

Vex — The Siren (Minion / Elemental Hybrid)

Vex blends classic Siren magic with summonable allies. Her ghost cat Trouble and spectral clones make her a hybrid between DPS and pet class.

Best Early Build:

• Skill Tree: Here Comes Trouble

• Key Skills: Yowl and Bay (buffs Trouble), Grave Command (cooldown reduction), Spectral Bond (clone synergy).

• Weapons: Elemental SMGs (Maliwan, Tediore) and fast-firing pistols.

• Playstyle: Summon Trouble early in fights to tank enemies, then rotate between elemental SMG bursts and melee finishers. Keep cycling summons to stay mobile.

Why play Vex: She’s highly adaptable, great for players who like to experiment with builds, and one of the best solo Hunters thanks to her pets acting as distractions.

Rafa — The Exo-Soldier (Ranged DPS / Melee Hybrid)

Rafa is the easiest Vault Hunter for new players to pick up. His Overdrive boosts speed and damage whenever you trigger a skill, encouraging nonstop aggression.

Best Early Build:

• Skill Tree: Remote Agent

• Key Skills: Critical Matrix (crit bonuses), Cannonade (buffs Peacebreaker cannons), Reload Rush (speed + cooldown resets).

• Weapons: Assault rifles (Dahl, Vladof) and SMGs with crit perks.

• Playstyle: Open fights by deploying cannons, then swap to rapid-fire ARs to shred enemies while Overdrive is active. Use dash skills to close gaps when ammo runs low.

Why play Rafa: Beginner-friendly, fast-paced, and the best raw DPS at launch. He’s ideal for co-op players who want to carry damage output.

Amon — The ForgeKnight (Tank / Crowd Control)

Amon is a bruiser built for players who like to get up close and personal. His Forgeskill changes depending on your active ability, giving him flexible defense and offense.

Best Early Build:

• Skill Tree: Vengeance

• Key Skills: Fuel the Forge (regens armor), Unbreakable Will (damage resistance), Cryo Shatter (enhanced cryo AoE).

• Weapons: Cryo shotguns, rocket launchers, heavy melee weapons.

• Playstyle: Soak damage, build armor, then unleash AoE knockbacks with Cryo skills. His Rocket Punch is great for clearing space in co-op.

Why play Amon: Extremely durable and one of the strongest solo Hunters. Perfect if you want to survive anything and keep the frontline clear.

Harlowe — The Gravitar (Support / AoE Disruptor)

Harlowe manipulates gravity to link enemies and shield allies. She’s the definition of a co-op Vault Hunter but can still hold her own with AoE disruption.

Best Early Build:

• Skill Tree: Cosmic Brilliance

• Key Skills: Entangled Resonance (damage spreads across linked enemies), Flux Generator (overshields + Cryo damage), Zero Point (enemy stasis trap).

• Weapons: Radiation pistols and Cryo SMGs.

• Playstyle: Open with Entanglement, lock down priority targets with Zero Point, and overshield allies with Flux Generator. Keep a Radiation sidearm for AoE synergy.

Why play Harlowe: The ultimate co-op character. She makes every squad better and can completely shut down enemy groups.

Best picks by playstyle

• Solo play: Vex or Amon

• Co-op: Harlowe

• Highest DPS: Rafa

• Most customizable: Vex

Top playthrough tips for Borderlands 4

The first run through Kairos can feel overwhelming, especially with all the new systems. Here are some tips to make your first playthrough smoother:

1. Explore every corner — The open-zone design hides loot caches, dynamic quests, and secret minibosses. Exploring fully pays off with rare drops early.

2. Master new movement — Double-jumps, wall climbs, and grappling hooks are lifesavers in boss fights. Practice chaining them to dodge and reposition.

3. Craft hybrid weapons ASAP — Use the Licensed Parts system early. Even basic weapons become powerful when customized with crit barrels or elemental cores.

4. Farm public events — Dynamic quests like loot caravans and mini-boss invasions drop above-average gear. Great for mid-game power spikes.

5. Balance your squad — In co-op, mix DPS (Rafa), tank (Amon), and support (Harlowe). With instanced loot, everyone gets rewarded.

How to prepare for endgame content

Finishing the story is just the beginning. The endgame in Borderlands 4 is designed around constant loot upgrades and team challenges.

Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode

Unlocked after completing the campaign. Enemies are smarter, tougher, and drop better loot. Builds that rely on survivability (Amon) or scaling damage (Vex) excel here.

Invincible Bosses

Multi-phase raid encounters with exclusive loot. You’ll need a well-geared squad, especially if tackling them on higher difficulty. Solo is possible with Amon or minion-heavy Vex builds, but it’s risky.

Weekly Rotations

Vendors like Maurice’s Black Market rotate rare items weekly, while limited-time bounty events add new loot pools. Keep checking back after resets.

Vault Cards and Seasonal Play

Progression tracks tied to cosmetic rewards, XP boosts, and unique gear. Completing seasonal challenges ensures you stay ahead of the loot curve.

Endgame Prep Tips:

• Don’t hoard legendaries — swap when better rolls drop.

• Farm Cryo and Radiation weapons for endgame synergy.

• Prioritize survivability passives in your first endgame build.

• Join co-op raids early — instanced loot makes group farming efficient.

Where to buy Borderlands 4

If you’re ready to jump in today, Borderlands 4 is available both digitally and physically across all major platforms. As usual, there are multiple editions to choose from depending on how much extra content you want. Just to note, the Switch 2 edition releases October 3:

• Standard Edition — $69.99 (PC) (PlayStation 5) (Xbox) (Switch 2)
  Includes the base game and the preorder bonus Gilded Glory Pack (skins + golden weapon skin).

• Deluxe Edition — $86.99 $99.99 (PC)
  Includes the base game, Gilded Glory Pack, 4 Bounty Packs, and the Firehawk’s Fury weapon skin.

• Super Deluxe Edition — $129.99 (PC) (PlayStation 5) (Xbox)
  Includes everything above plus 2 major story expansions and the Ornate Order cosmetic pack.

If you’re just starting out, the Standard Edition gives you the full experience. The Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions are best if you know you’ll want to keep playing for the long haul, since they include DLC and cosmetic extras.

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 Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: A request

• Green: Needed to reach someone

• Blue: What a photographer might own

• Purple: A waterway

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: Entreaty

• Green: Contact info

• Blue: Kinds of camera lenses

• Purple: Bodies of water plus starting letter

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 #824 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Entreaty: APPEAL, BID, CALL, PETITION

• Contact info: ADDRESS, EMAIL, NAME, NUMBER

• Kinds of camera lenses: FISHEYE, MACRO, TELEPHOTO, ZOOM

• Bodies of water plus starting letter: DRIVER, EBAY, FINLET, FLAKE

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 September 2, 2025

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 September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: That's classic

The words are long-lasting.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to describe something timeless.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Time Honored.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 12

• Vintage

• Antique

• Ageless

• Time Honored

• Historic

• Enduring

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 the latest 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 hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 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 Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To pulsate.

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 T.

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...

THROB

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 September 2, 2025

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 the latest Wordle.

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 September 12, 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 Strands hints, answers for September 12, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 12 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 11-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 12 Pips

Less than (3): Everything in this purple space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this light blue space must add to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this green space must add to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 12 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically; 3-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this yellow space must add to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add to 20. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (30): Everything in this space must add to 30. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this light blue space must add to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this red space must add to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

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

Seth Meyers began Late Night on Thursday by responding to the killing of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing influencer who was shot during an event at a Utah college campus on Wednesday. With a social media following in the tens of millions, Kirk aimed to spread right-wing ideologies through school campuses via his organisation Turning Point USA. He was a close ally of President Trump.

"As I'm sure you've heard by now, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was murdered yesterday at a college event in Utah," Meyers says in the clip above. "We are horrified by this grotesque tragedy and our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. It should never be a matter of political ideology to mourn, and to extend our fullest and deepest empathy to those who are suffering. Political violence is abhorrent, an anathema to the highest ideals of this country. It corrodes us and threatens the very foundations of our democracy.

"The great promise of our democratic experiment is that we can engage with one another and resolve our differences through dialogue, not violence. We must hold true to that promise and strive towards it with our fullest effort, even when it feels furthest away."

SEE ALSO: Charlie Kirk's death proves AI chatbots aren't built for breaking news

Meyers went on talk about the school shooting that left students injured in Colorado this week, and the school shooting two weeks ago in Minnesota that left two children dead and 21 people injured.

"There have already been over 300 mass shootings and 47 school shootings this year alone," says Meyers. "We've said this many times on this program and will say it again: Gun violence is a plague in this country. We desperately need reasonable gun safety laws to stop this epidemic of tragedy and pain. No matter the identity or ideology of these perpetrators, one thing is always constant: the guns."

SAVE $20: As of Sept. 12, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the most useful devices that Amazon pumps out, helping you squeeze everything you can out of your streaming setup. And the ever-popular Fire TV Stick 4K is back on sale for a limited time, and this time shoppers can save $20 on list price.

As of Sept. 12, the Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for just $29.99, down from the list price of $49.99. With the arrival of Fall and cozy movie-watching season, there really couldn't be a better time to jump on this deal. It's time to shut out the world and get down to some serious streaming.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Sept. 12, 2025)

If you've not come across the Fire TV Stick before, it's basically a small TV stick that allows you to stream on pretty much any device that has an HDMI port. Once the Fire TV Stick 4K is plugged in, you get access to platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and whatever else you're subscribed to. Want to turn your TV into a smart TV without the pricey upgrade? This is the device for you.

Get this limited-time Fire TV Stick offer at Amazon now.

If you have hard floors, a cordless wet and dry vacuum makes cleaning them easier. If you have tiled floors, one with an added steam function makes cleaning more enjoyable. And if you're shopping around for the best cordless wet and dry vacuum with a steam function, the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam should be around the top of your list.

I was already a fan of the S9 Artist Steam's predecessor when it was released in 2023. The Tineco Floor One S7 Steam made me lament that I didn't have even more tiled surfaces to steam, its satisfying results inspiring eager anticipation for cleaning my bathroom floor. Even so, the Floor One S7 Steam did have a few pain points, such as its poor front edge cleaning and inability to reach under furniture. 

SEE ALSO: 6 gadgets to help keep your home clean, from robot vacuums to electric scrubbers

Fortunately, the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam works to address several such issues, while also offering a sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing form factor.

Tineco's Floor One S9 Artist Steam offers upgrades in function and aesthetics Credit: Tineco

The Floor One S9 Artist Steam is one of the latest wet and dry vacuums in Tineco's Floor One lineup, the company having skipped ahead from its S7 series. Like the S7 Steam, the S9 Artist Steam boasts steam temperatures of up to 284°F (140°C), can operate without steam to mop floors and suck up standard spills, and has a self-cleaning function to make maintenance simple. Both also have colour-changing sensor lights which turn from blue to red to indicate that you're sucking up debris, feedback which goes a long way to make cleaning feel thorough. Unlike the S7 Steam, the S9 Artist Steam was clearly developed with aesthetics as its guiding star alongside functionality. Though the LED screen does seem like overkill, there's no denying that this vacuum looks slick.

One of the most obvious and immediate differences between the S9 Artist Steam and S7 Steam are their builds. While the S7 Steam carries its 800-millilitre clean water tank on the front of its upright handle, the S9 Artist Steam more closely follows the S7 Stretch's build by placing its larger 880-millilitre tank on top of the vacuum head. This redesign makes the S9 Artist Steam appear slimmer, a notable improvement over its chunkier older sibling.

Featured Video For You Is a $2,599.99 robot vacuum with an arm something anyone should be buying?

Paired with the S9 Artist Steam's new ability to swivel 90 degrees, the redesign makes Tineco's new wet and dry vacuum significantly easier to manoeuvre than the S7 Steam, with the weight of the water borne by the vacuum rather than the user. Swivelling the S9 Artist Steam's motor-propelled vacuum head around obstacles feels much less cumbersome, offering a smooth glide. 

Tineco has further upgraded the S9 Artist Steam's battery life, claiming up to 75 minutes of operation on one charge (or 30 minutes in steam mode). In contrast, Tineco states that the S7 Steam can operate for up to 40 minutes, or 20 minutes in steam mode. Though I had to keep an eye on the S7 Steam's battery to ensure I had enough power for a post-steam self-clean, this wasn't a concern with the S9 Artist Steam. Charging the vacuum doesn't take too long either, Mashable's testing finding that S9 Artist Steam's battery went from zero to 50 percent in around half an hour.

There's a lot to love about the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam's quality of life improvements Credit: Tineco

Tineco has packed several useful new features into the Floor One S9 Artist Steam's sleek build as well.

Borrowing from Tineco's Floor One S7 Stretch, the S9 Artist Steam is able to lie flat and continue to clean, enabling users to reach difficult places and stretch under furniture. Said furniture does need to be at least five inches (13 centimetres) off the ground for the S9 Artist Steam to be able to slip under it, which is still fairly high. Still, this increased manoeuvrability definitely makes cleaning under tables, chairs, and vanities much less cumbersome, significantly enhancing the S9 Artist Steam's utility.

While the Floor One S7 Stretch can lie down as well, it doesn't offer a steam function, only heating water to 185°F (85°C). Now users don't have to choose between steam and the ability to reach more difficult places.

The S9 Artist Steam's redesign may also help it avoid some aesthetic damage. Mashable found that the S7 Steam eventually gathered noticeable marks on the front of its transparent clean water tank due to bumping into edges when trying to mop under furniture. The S9 Artist Steam's increased manoeuvrability might help users avoid such collisions. The 750-millilitre dirty water tank will still collect marks from cleaning while lying flat, but they're much less noticeable on the back of the vacuum.

Another notable upgrade is the S9 Artist Steam's ability to clean more closely along the front edge of the vacuum head, which was one of the S7 Steam's more irritating quirks. Though the S9 Artist Steam's front edge cleaning still isn't able to get right up next to your baseboards, it does halve the gap left by its predecessor's front edge, measuring closer to one inch than two.

Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

However, one of my favourite yet undersung new features is how Tineco has upgraded the S9 Artist Steam's dirty water tank emptying system. While the S7 Steam required users to pry off the lid to its dirty water tank with their fingers, the S9 Artist Steam adds a new blue handle which makes the task phenomenally easy. This not only minimises the risk of spillage, it also makes the entire process less fiddly and offers a point for users to grip. It's one of those upgrades that makes the S9 Artist Steam feel thoughtfully designed. Clearing out the dirty water tank is by far the worst part of using any wet and dry vacuum, so reducing friction here goes a long way.

The Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam does have limitations Credit: Tineco

As much as I enjoyed the S9 Artist Steam, I did miss a few features from the Tineco S7 Steam, most notably the boost steam mode. Tineco told Mashable that while the S7 Steam's regular steam mode pushes steam out of six jets, its boost steam mode uses a single jet for a more concentrated stream. However, the S9 Artist Steam forgoes this boost steam mode completely, also using six jets on its only steam mode. 

According to Tineco, the S9 Artist Steam's steam reaches the floor at higher temperatures than the S7 Steam, reaching at least 210°F (99°C) to offer a more effective clean despite not having a boost steam mode. In our own testing, Mashable found that the S9 Artist Steam's steam mode provides noticeably more even coverage than the S7 Steam's boost steam, and is still powerful enough to keep tiles beautifully clean. Even so, I would have liked a boost steam option for extra power when tackling long-neglected stains.

Though if you're steaming your floors regularly, the S9 Artist Steam's lack of a boost mode may not be a significant issue. Considering how good it feels to use, you'll probably be whipping the wet and dry vacuum out to use every chance you get.

The S9 Artist Steam's base also forgoes holders for spare parts and accessories, a feature that was present in the S7 Steam. While the lack of such storage definitely makes the S9 Artist Steam's base prettier to look at, I do miss the functionality and convenience.

Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

It's further frustrating that S9 Artist Steam does not have a separate compartment for cleaning fluid. Unlike the S7, the S9 can take cleaning fluid, with users instructed to pour the specially-made solution in its clean water tank. However, Tineco warns users not to use the steam mode with the cleaning fluid. 

This means that you need to completely use up any water that's been mixed with the solution before you can switch over to the S9 Artist Steam's steam mode. Considering the S9 Artist Steam's fairly efficient operation as well as its 880-millilitre clean water tank, doing so may require more than one complete clean of your home. Fortunately, the S9 Artist Steam does a good job of cleaning floors using plain water alone, but it would be nice to be able to switch between mopping with cleaning fluid and steaming with clean water on the fly.

Aside from this, the primary downside to the S9 Artist Steam is its high price. While it delivers a delightful and satisfying cleaning experience, you do need to pay a premium for it. This is one you'll probably need to budget for.

You should also consider whether the S9 Artist Steam is compatible with your flooring. Like most wet and dry vacuums, the S9 Artist Steam is only designed for hard floors, so you'll have to find a different solution for cleaning your carpets and rugs. Further, while you're free to steam your bathroom tiles to your heart's content, you should only subject wooden floors to the S9 Artist Steam's auto, max, and suction functions, lest the steam cause warping.

Though if you have hard floors, a large budget, and are after one of the best wet and dry vacuums on the market, Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam is a strong contender for becoming a useful new addition to your household.

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 September 12, 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: Cycling components

• Green: Baseball scoring

• Blue: Previous clubs

• Purple: Part of a whole

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: Bicycle parts

• Green: Descriptors for types of home runs

• Blue: Former WNBA team names

• Purple: Items in NFL logos

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 #354 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Bicycle parts - BRAKE, CHAIN, HANDLEBAR, SADDLE

• Descriptors for types of home runs - 3-RUN, INSIDE-THE-PARK, SOLO, WALK-OFF

• Former WNBA team names - COMETS, ROCKERS, SHOCK, SOL

• Items in NFL logos - ARROWHEAD, HORSESHOE, SKULL, STAR

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 the latest Connections.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Warfare' at home: NON-STREAMING OPTION Rent or buy 'Warfare' on Prime Video $5.99 or $19.99 Get Deal BEST OVERALL HBO Max (With Ads) annual subscription $99.99/year (save $19.89) Get Deal BEST AD-FREE OPTION Max Standard annual subscription $169.99/year (save $33.89) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS HBO Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal GET HBO MAX FOR FREE HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $9.99/month) Get Deal GET HBO MAX FOR FREE HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for DashPass annual plan subscribers (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal Best bang for your buck Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 43%) Get Deal

Director Alex Garland returns to the battlefield with his latest film, Warfare, which he co-wrote and co-directed with Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza. The Civil War follow-up plunges viewers into the frontlines of the very real, very brutal, and not-so-distant Iraq War, circa 2006.

If you missed it in theaters, there are a few different ways you can watch Warfare at home. Here's what you need to know to tune in.

What is Warfare about?

Based on a real mission in Ramadi, Iraq, Warfare follows a platoon of American Navy SEALs on a mission gone wrong in enemy territory. It's a gritty and immersive dive into the perils of modern combat and brotherhood. You won't find any political commentary or sugar-coated fairytale endings. As Mashable's reviewer described it, the boots-on-the-ground perspective translates into an "agonizing portrait of the perils of war, its demands on young soldiers, and the merciless reality of combat."

Or, as co-director and co-writer Ray Mendoza put it, "Reality doesn't let people off the hook."

Check out the first-look trailer:

Is Warfare worth watching?

With an impressive 93 percent critic and audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear that people are impressed by A24's Warfare. That being said, it's certainly not for everyone.

"It's both a tribute to the bravery shown in the face of battle by a group of young Navy SEALs and a brutal slog that immerses audiences into the gritty reality of war, viscera and all," Mashable's reviewer, Monica Castillo, writes. She adds that though she admires the honesty of the film, she was left unsure how to feel.

"I winced at the sight of limbs dangling like broken dolls, soaked beet-red from blood. War is hell, and if you had any other such notions, Warfare should help set the record straight," Castillo adds.

Read our full review of Warfare.

How to watch Warfare at home Credit: A24

Warfare launched into theaters on April 11, 2025. If you missed Garland and Mendoza's brutally honest war drama on the big screen or you can't wait to watch it again, there are a few different ways to watch it at home as of Sept. 12: purchasing via digital video-on-demand, renting via digital video-on-demand, and, of course, streaming.

Buy or rent on digital

As of May 6, Warfare is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video. You can buy the movie for your digital library or rent it for 30 days. If you choose to rent, you'll have 30 days to watch, but only 48 hours to finish once you begin.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99, rent starting at $4.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99, rent starting at $4.99

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or buy 'Warfare' at Prime Video $5.99 or $19.99 Get Deal Stream it on HBO Max

The A24 war drama made its streaming debut on HBO Max on Sept. 12. Warner Bros. Discovery penned a deal with A24 in December 2023 to bring the distributor's theatrical releases to HBO Max, so it comes as no surprise that Warfare is available on the streamer.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to save some money on your plan. Check out the best streaming deals below.

The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max Basic annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Max Basic with ads annual subscription $99.99 per year (save $19.89) Get Deal

The Basic HBO Max plan with ads typically goes for $9.99 per month, but if you pay for an entire year upfront, the price drops down to just $8.33 per month. An annual plan is $99.99 total, which saves you about 16% compared to paying each month.

Best Max deal with no ads: Save up to 16% on HBO Max Standard annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Max Standard annual subscription $169.99 per year (save $33.89) Get Deal

If you'd rather go ad-free, the annual Max Standard or Premium plans will also save about 16% over the monthly plans. The Standard tier costs either $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.16 per month), while the Premium tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month). While both tiers offer ad-free viewing, the Premium tier goes a step further with 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

If you switch your phone plan to Cricket's $60 per month Supreme Unlimited plan, you'll get HBO Max included for free. When you open up the HBO Max app or website, you'll just select Cricket as your provider and use your credentials to log in. That's it.

Get HBO Max for free: Sign up for DashPass annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: Dashpass / HBO Max HBO Max (with ads) Free with DashPass annual plan ($8/month) Get Deal

If you're looking to get HBO Max for free in 2025, another option is to sign up for the DoorDash DashPass annual plan for $96 per year ($8 per month). A DashPass membership includes $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders all year long, plus a complimentary HBO Max subscription (with ads). Just activate the subscription through your DoorDash account to get started. If you'd rather watch ad-free, you can also upgrade for a discounted rate.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can expand their movie horizons by signing up for an entire year of HBO Max with ads for half price. Just verify your student status with UNiDAYS and retrieve the unique discount code to drop the price from $9.99 to $4.99 per month.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 43% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

For the most bang for your buck, check out the Disney+ bundle deal that includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max for just $16.99 per month with ads. That lineup of streamers would usually cost you $29.97 per month, so you'll keep an extra $13 in your pocket monthly.

If you'd rather go ad-free, the bundle will run you $29.99 per month as opposed to $50.97. That's up to 43% in savings for access to all three streaming libraries.

TL;DR: Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 is available to live stream for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The second EuroBasket 2025 semi-final is going to be absolutely electric, with Greece taking on Turkey for a place in the final. NBA stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Şengün are going head-to-head as this passionate rivalry takes center stage.

If you want to watch Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Greece vs. Turkey?

Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 takes place at 2 p.m. ET on Sept. 12.

How to watch Greece vs. Turkey for free

Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream EuroBasket 2025 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 Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Live stream EuroBasket 2025 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 taking advantage of these offers, you can watch Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

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

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking free streaming sites, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• 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 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 plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Greece vs. Turkey in EuroBasket 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

Dark scenes being too dark is a common frustration of avid TV watchers. The ironic point of contention famously sent Game of Thrones fans into a spiral when the 2019 episode, literally titled "The Longest Night," was borderline indecipherable. The cinematographer said it back then, and it's worth reiterating now: The cinematic content isn't always too dark. Your TV just isn't tuned properly.

It's the same reason why Skinamarink didn't hit as hard for me when other people were mesmerized by it. It's partly my decrepit 2018 4K Roku TV's fault for being basic — of course, it's true that some TVs render dark scenes better than others. But past making sure the room is as dark as possible, there are ways to toggle your current TV settings to optimize dark content.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

If you're a big film person still rocking with a super outdated LED TV, your best bet is to upgrade to OLED at some point soon. But whether you're waiting for TVs to go on sale or are convinced that your current TV has potential to improve, there's no harm in tinkering — your TV's default or AI-enhanced settings could actually be doing you dirty. And in most cases, the changes don't even require a nitty-gritty understanding of TV specs.

Select viewing modes vary by brand, and some newer models may let you get more granular than older models. (Samsung's Shadow Detail bar, for example.) But there are a handful of universal tweaks that can be made to most TVs to make dark scenes look better:

Turn off any light sensors

Some TVs try to correct their own displays by assessing the lighting in the room and adjusting their brightness, shadows, and highlights accordingly. Many folks find that ambient light sensors in their TVs actually wind up overcompensating for dim environments, brightening the screen so much that the picture becomes inaccurate (and, physically, a headache to look at). Reddit sees several queries about how to optimally handle a TV's auto-dimming setting or light sensors, to which many Reddit users have a short, sweet solution: Just turn it off.

SEE ALSO: Review: I can't stop playing my Switch 2, a fabulous follow-up to an all-time legend Turn off HDR

HDR, or high dynamic range, is a technology that can "translate" color and contrast data from the original source (what was originally seen through the camera lens) that a more basic technology, like SDR (standard dynamic range), can't fully interpret. The biggest advantage here is that certain content can get brighter and more contrasted. That's awesome for scenes that are supposed to be vivid, or watching a football game where the field is green and the jerseys are saturated.

But because it relies on your TV to output high nits of brightness, HDR isn't one-size-fits-all magic. For dark scenes, HDR is often a disadvantage. The reliance on backlight and hyper-fixation on differentiating black and white hues often have low-light settings end up looking... gray. It's tricky when a show or movie you're watching flows back and forth between colorful and shadowy, so some calibration might be required to make the TV look better. PCMag's guide on how to calibrate your TV is super straightforward, though many people just have a professional come do it for them. (Mashable and PCMag are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

SEE ALSO: Disney sues Sling TV over new short-term TV passes

But at the end of the day, there's something so freeing about simply watching stuff in SDR. Standard dynamic range doesn't require such steep peak brightness, making it a much more comfortable situation for many low-to-mid-range TVs or dark scenes. Remember, 4K SDR is absolutely a thing. You can enjoy the resolution-related benefits of 4K upscaling without the risk of HDR creating overly-pixelated shadows in non-HDR content.

Not all streaming services even support HDR

It sounds obvious, but ensure that the content you're watching or playing actually supports HDR. This could even come down to the streaming service you're watching on. For instance, only Netflix's Premium tier offers HDR content, and Hulu doesn't have much content with the HDR badge outside of some Hulu originals. If you've been sitting through some borderline unwatchable stuff lately, it's quite possible that your newer TV is trying to force HDR on content that literally doesn't support it — a prime example of HDR makes things worse instead of better.

Experiment with Filmmaker Mode

When being viewed in the right environment, Filmmaker Mode gets dark scenes as close as possible to how awesome they'd look in a theater.

Like HDR, other modern picture processing features don't always do content justice. So, at its core, Filmmaker Mode is kind of exactly what it sounds like: There aren't any noise reduction or motion smoothing effects happening on the set of the movie IRL, so Filmmaker Mode essentially strips back those after-the-fact enhancement settings (that go too hard sometimes) to show the viewer what the filmmaker originally wanted to capture. Most TVs do allow settings like color and tone mapping to be tweaked, even if Filmmaker Mode is on, which can balance out some of the lacking vibrancy from automatic enhancements.

SEE ALSO: AMC movie tickets are 50% off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays now, BTW

If you're pro movie theater — and pro pitch black living room when movie nights do take place at home — try turning on Filmmaker Mode. And, if Filmmaker Mode has ever made your screen a little too dark, consider the lighting situation of that room. Even the glow of a dim vibey lamp can muddy dark scenes in Filmmaker Mode.

What TVs have the best dark scene performance?

OLED TVs are unanimously recommended for watching in any environment that's not broad daylight. Unlike QLED TVs, which are characterized by a layer of nanocrystals that reflect the light coming from behind them, OLED TVs don't use a backlight at all. OLED screens are made up of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, or self-lit pixels that can completely turn themselves off when the scene calls for shadows. This allows for deeper blacks and more contrasted dark scenes than what a QLED TV can achieve.

There aren't as many OLED TV options to choose from as there are QLED TVs, but the purchase decision is still a big one — OLED TVs are generally the most expensive type of TV. There are a handful of OLED models that consistently show up as "the best OLED TV" on Google, and they align with the few OLED TVs that people in r/hometheater on Reddit are always hyping up.

A few of the best OLED TVs to buy in 2025 Best budget OLED LG 65-inch B4 OLED 4K TV $1,299.99 Shop Now Best OLED TV for most people LG 65-inch C5 OLED 4K TV $1,599.99 Shop Now Best OLED TV for bright rooms Samsung 65-inch S95F QD-OLED 4K TV $2,799.99 Shop Now

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 Friday, Sept. 12, 2025:

AcrossInk-squirting creature

• The answer is Squid.

Handbag

• The answer is Purse.

Wolverine's alias in "X-Men"

• The answer is Logan.

Enjoyed dinner at home, say

• The answer is Ate In.

Stuffed animal named after the 26th president of the United States

• The answer is Teddy.

DownSound of a cupcake hitting the floor, frosting-first

• The answer is Splat.

Common feature of a news article

• The answer is Quote.

Tried to convince

• The answer is Urged.

"Since you didn't hear me the first time ..."

• The answer is I Said.

Name in a breakfast restaurant chain

• The answer is Denny.

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.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to Pornhub is in turmoil. Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same situation then took place in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, users are now required to provide personal information to access the site.

The situation is constantly changing, but you can stay one step ahead with a quick and easy hack. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access adult sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub 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 Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 so your data is always secure

• 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 plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for just $24.97 (reg. $229) through Sept. 14 — no subscriptions, no recurring costs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $24.97
$229 Save $204.03 Get Deal

If you’ve been tempted to upgrade to one of Microsoft’s latest Office releases, consider this: Office Professional Plus 2019 still has everything you need to stay productive at a fraction of the cost. While newer versions exist, this one-time $24.97 purchase (reg. $229) gets you a lifetime license — with no ongoing subscription fees.

Here’s what you’ll get with Office 2019:

• MS Word 2019 — Create polished reports, proposals, and everyday documents.

• MS Excel 2019 — Analyze data and manage projects with advanced formulas and charting tools.

• MS PowerPoint 2019 — Build engaging presentations with new animations and design options.

• MS Outlook 2019 — Manage email, calendars, and contacts in one place.

• MS Publisher and Access 2019 — Perfect for desktop publishing and managing databases.

• OneNote 2019 — Keep your notes, lists, and ideas organized.

New features like enhanced inking, better data analysis tools, and updated PowerPoint visuals make Office 2019 more than capable for most home or office setups.

Don’t pay monthly fees for features you don’t use. With this version, you’ll keep your workflow streamlined, your budget intact, and your software yours forever. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2019 while it’s just $24.97 (reg. $229) through Sept. 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: A 2017 Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar is available Grade A refurbished for $324.97 (reg. $1,499).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch 2017 (Refurbished) $324.97
$1,499 Save $1,174.03 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing a MacBook Pro but don’t want to shell out four figures for a new one, this offer is worth a double take. For just $324.97, you can grab a Grade A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar (reg. $1,499) and get yourself back in the Apple ecosystem without the sticker shock.

This 2017 model has a lot to celebrate:

• Runs on a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz

• 8GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD

• 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560×1600 resolution and 500 nits brightness

• Touch Bar adds dynamic shortcuts at your fingertips

• Touch ID offers secure login and Apple Pay convenience

• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports for flexible connectivity

That combination means smooth multitasking for work, school, or home — whether you’re jumping between spreadsheets, editing photos, or streaming Netflix.

Weighing a little over three pounds, it’s light enough for commuting or slipping into a backpack, yet still packs Apple’s sleek aluminum design that feels every bit as premium as when it launched. And since it’s a Grade A refurb, you’ll get a laptop in near-mint condition, oftentimes indistinguishable from new.

At this price, it’s a budget-friendly option — whether you need a reliable backup, a travel-friendly machine, or your first MacBook Pro without the pro-level price. Get this like-new MacBook Pro while it’s $324.97 (reg. $1,499) through Oct. 5.

StackSocial prices subject to change.