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A Kindle is primarily intended for reading eBooks. While you can use one to browse the internet, it's nowhere near the experience of using a smartphone. You may be surprised to learn that it's possible to stream video on a Kindle.

I switched to Linux as my daily driver several years ago, but sometimes Windows is still necessary. When that happens, I'm stuck using a workflow that feels oddly clunky. I found myself reaching for programs and tools that didn't exist and trying to use window management options that didn't exist.

I spent years repeatedly rearranging the same Excel worksheets for different tasks: I'd hide columns, change filters, adjust the zoom, and then undo everything later. Then I discovered the overlooked Custom Views option, which lets me save those layouts and switch between them in seconds.

Here's a not-so-novel theory of cultural development that you should be aware of, especially if you're an older person wondering about the behaviors of younger people: When TV and the internet first emerged on the cultural scene, they had a unifying effect on people. After all, there were only a handful of television channels you could watch, so everyone watched The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, M*A*S*H, and All in the Family. Just take a look at IMDB's list of the Most Watched Series Finales Ever, and you'll see it's dominated by shows that first aired in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. 

Fast forward to the early 2000s, when social media first emerged, and you have a similar effect: everyone had a MySpace or Facebook account because there wasn't really any other game in town. But that unity rapidly gave way to fragmentation. Just as cable TV fragmented into Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon TV, etc, so too did social media fragment into smaller, more niche spaces, from Tumblr blogs and subreddits to Discord servers and Twitch chat rooms. 

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Driven by the all-powerful algorithm, feeding different people different interests, the younger generations disappeared into siloed parts of the internet, many of which earned nicknames of their own. TikTok is the best example: there's BookTok for users who love to read, FinTok for users who want to learn about investing and compound interest, and of course, FitTok for people who want to learn about compound lifts or receive dieting advice. Crucially, you can spend hundreds of hours in any one of these niche communities without ever learning about the existence of the others. 

Gen Z's entire online experience has been heavily curated by algorithms, so it's no wonder their dating app behavior is different as well. 

Gen Z's retreat from online dating

The numbers started to tell the tale long before the commentators caught on. In 2023, a major Statista survey of online dating behavior found something odd, even trend-breaking: the vast majority (61 percent) of dating app users were between the ages of 30 and 34, while the much larger age group of 18-29 year olds represented just 26 percent of total dating app users. It's even odder when you consider that, since people tend to partner up over time, Gen Z should have many more single people than millennials. 

That realization led to a bevy of headlines ("Gen Z Is Leaving Dating Apps Behind" comes to mind) predicting the death of dating apps, not to mention a 38 percent average decline in the stock price of dating apps, but it doesn't mean Gen Z isn't interested in romance or connection.

In fact, it just means they're taking an entirely different approach to finding love, especially compared to millennials. Whereas single millennials can still be found on the apps, by and large, Gen Z singles are reverting to "hyper-niche" spaces to filter out people before they even reach the swiping stage.

What is a "hyper-niche" space?

Think of hyper-niche spaces as small, value-based communities. If you're a part of FitTok, for example, it's reasonable to assume that everyone else you meet in that space will value working out, eating healthy foods, and self-improvement (aka the grindset mindset). Because these things are such a big part of your life, it's helpful to meet people who already share these values.  

And if this approach is true of fitness communities, it also applies to online communities built around hobbies (reading, playing video games, knitting) or politics or religion. It has even started to apply to the specific app or software people use: X vs BlueSky

This, too, has shown up in the data. A major study of eharmony users found, for example, that 28 percent of Gen Z daters would cancel a date if their prospective partner didn't share their politics, nearly a 10-point increase from millennials and Gen X respondents, with a similar gap showing up for differences in religious belief. 

What does this mean for Gen Z?

On the one hand, these trends are arguably positive. Dating app fatigue is a well-documented phenomenon, and even millennials are suffering burnout. Hyper-niche communities take a lot of the pressure off of finding one compatible person in a sea of incompatible people, pre-selecting for others who share your values and interests. This is a major reason people are returning to IRL dating, where their friends, family, and social circles might introduce them to people, rather than an anonymous algorithm. 

But there's a dark side to this, too, and it comes from becoming too invested in any given silo, too intolerant of people who don't share your values or interests. Another striking finding emerged in the data: 60 percent of Gen Z have gone "no-contact" with a friend or family member in the past year, and 25 percent of those who went no-contact listed a difference in values as the reason. 

Add this to the fact that Gen Z spends an average of five hours a day online, by far the most of any generation, and it's easy to see how their digital existence can overtake their online one, with hyper-niche spaces looking more like bunkers to shelter them from a hostile world rather than real communities that take them out of the digital world and into the real one.

Ford has sold hands-free highway driving capability under the BlueCruise name since 2021, when it debuted on the F-150 and Mustang Mach-E. Buyers get a 90-day trial included with an eligible Ford vehicle, then pay $49.99 a month, $495 a year, or a one-time fee of $2,495. The one-time option guarantees at least seven years of BlueCruise service, with no additional payment required as long as Ford continues to offer the feature.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 23, 2026 Antifreeze meaning

Coolant that stays liquid even in frigid temperatures.

Vacuum meaning

A tool used for cleaning.

Baking soda meaning

A substance used in baking or to combat odor.

Volcano meaning

A geologic feature from which magma is pushed to the surface of the earth as lava.

Vinegar meaning

An acidic fermented liquid used as an ingredient or flavoring

Vodka meaning

A form of alcohol often distilled from potatoes.

Tinderbox meaning

A container for materials used to start fires.

Potato battery meaning

An experiment which uses potatoes to generate and conduct small amounts of electricity.

Skiing meaning

Navigating down a snow-covered hill or across a body of water using skis.

Home fries meaning

A fried potato dish.

Club soda meaning

A carbonated, mineral-infused water.

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Powder keg meaning

A container filled with black powder and a phrase used to describe volatile situations.

Hydrogen peroxide meaning

A bleaching substance that has a variety of household uses (always read the safety label).

Bazaar meaning

A type of market where various goods can be purchased.

Vischyssoise

A soup that includes pureed leaks and potatoes.

Time bomb meaning

An explosive with a timed detonator.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Connections.

TL;DR: Watch Frosinone vs. Juventus in Serie A for free on SportyNet. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Serie A is back this weekend, and as usual, Juventus will get a lot of attention. Last season, they finished in sixth place. That's obviously not good enough for a club with the history of Juventus, and they'll be desperate to start with a confident victory over new boys Frosinone.

If you're interested in watching Frosinone vs. Juventus in Serie A from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Frosinone vs. Juventus?

Frosinone vs. Juventus in Serie A kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 23. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Benito Stirpe.

How to watch Frosinone vs. Juventus for free

Frosinone vs. Juventus in Serie A is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Frosinone vs. Juventus for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Frosinone vs. Juventus for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Frosinone vs. Juventus for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Frosinone vs. Juventus without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus additional Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Serie A?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Frosinone vs. Juventus for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Moon is getting closer to the Full Moon, with more than half of its surface illuminated tonight. It's still in its Waxing Gibbous phase, so there's plenty to see as the Moon continues to get brighter each night.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Aug. 23, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, with 79% of its surface visible.

Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Crisium and Imbrium, and the Tycho Crater. If you want to see even more, use binoculars to bring the Clavius and Endymion Craters into view, as well as the Apennine Mountains. Plus, if you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 15 landing spot, the Rupes Altai, and the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon goes through a series of phases that cause its appearance to change as seen from Earth. As the Moon orbits Earth, it goes through a lunar cycle that takes about 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon determine how much of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from Earth, creating its different phases. Throughout the cycle, the Moon changes from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before repeating the cycle once more.

The eight phases are:

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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 NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love your vegetables.

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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for August 23, 2026 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: They erupt

• Green: Long sounds

• Blue: Full of starch

• Purple: Quick cleanup

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Potentially explosive things

• Green: Double vowels

• Blue: Made with potatoes

• Purple: Household stain removers

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 #1169 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Potentially explosive things: POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB, TINDERBOX, VOLCANO

• Double vowels: ANTIFREEZE, BAZAAR, SKIIING, VACUUM

• Made with potatoes: HOME FRIES, POTATO BATTERY, VISCHYSSOISE, VODKA

• Household stain removers: BAKING SODA, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, VINEGAR

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 23, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy for avid readers.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: An epic journey

The words are adjectives related to ancient Greece.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a classic novel.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Odyssey.

NYT Strands word list for August 23

• Sirens

• Cyclops

• Ship

• King

• The Odyssey

• Suitors

• Underworld

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you miss the good ole days.

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 August 23, 2026 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 August 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Ancient.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

OLDEN

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Wordle.

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.

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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

Quick.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BRIEF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Unwarranted.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UNDUE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Russian prison.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 23, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Aug. 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GULAG

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Mush.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLUSH

Final Hurdle hint

Smelly drain.

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

SEWER

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

In June 2023, Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft ran a three-month ChatGPT beta on the automaker's MBUX Voice Assistant. Before that, the assistant could only recognize a fixed set of pre-programmed commands or phrases drivers had to memorize and repeat back, almost word for word, to get a scripted answer.

I've used Linux seriously for over 20 years. I love it, but as with a lot of things I like it's not necessarily for everyone. Still, more people are talking about Linux, and looking to switch to it, more than ever. Over the years of using Linux, here are the users I believe would get the most out of Linux.

Samsung discontinued its Messages app earlier this year, leaving Galaxy owners without the One UI messaging experience they'd grown used to. The Android community tends to right these wrongs, and a replacement app that recreates the app closely has been released—it even works with RCS.

Paramount+ dumped a mountain (see what I did there?) of catalog titles on its service at the beginning of the month, and U.S. subscribers responded by watching The Hangover so much that it's the No. 1 movie right now, according to Flixster. The most thrilling thing near the top 10, though, is Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, but I think we can do better than that.

Google finally unveiled its own answer to the AirTag, and on paper, you'd think the Pixel Tag will dominate, given Android's install base. That's far from a given, though. In practice, there are four major problems that will likely keep it from being the category leader it was hoping to be.

The modern hypercar has become a numbers game. More horsepower, quicker acceleration, faster lap times, higher top speeds, and of course bigger price tags. These are the measurements many manufacturers use to grab the attention of the public and potential customers. Making 1,000 horsepower doesn’t raise any eyebrows nowadays. You can go to your local Chevy dealer and pick up a Corvette that makes more than that. So, hypercar manufacturers are pressing for more, more, more.

Any machine with moving parts that touch needs some sort of lubrication to minimize the effects of friction if you don't want them grinding against each other. Apart from perhaps your car, there are probably few devices in a typical home with more moving parts than a 3D printer, so naturally you'll need to keep it lubricated if you want it to work correctly.

Grand Theft Auto VI is being plagued by more leaks than a sinking ship, beginning with the trailer three years ago, and continuing into this week with a gameplay release that sees the protagonist, Jason Duval, robbing a gas station convenience store, escaping in a car, suffering a slow-motion car crash, and then escaping into a strip club.

SEE ALSO: 'GTA 6' file size: How large will the game be?

Some of these gameplay elements will definitely be familiar to long-time fans of the series, but the slow-motion camera interrupting the regular game speed is definitely a novelty, and probably something Rockstar Games wanted to keep secret, given that Rockstar still hasn't revealed actual gameplay.

In fact, they've been saving the biggest reveal for a Netflix launch on Thursday, Aug. 27th at 3 p.m. ET, which is itself an unprecedented move for a game release.

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Behind the scenes, Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two are working hard to discover the source of the leaks, reportedly even having been granted subpoenas for GitHub, Microsoft, and Discord server records by a federal court, which they allege will help them uncover the culprits. 

Even Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet has weighed in on the issue, promising to support efforts to stop the theft, saying in a post on X that "[Xbox] are working closely with Take-Two and Rockstar Games to support efforts to protect creative works and intellectual property."

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The main leaker, using the alias Cyberleeks, is so confident in his IP theft that he's now charging up to $165,000 (in cryptocurrency) to anyone wanting to advertise in his leaked footage, according to Yahoo Tech. 

While these leaks are definitely sucks for the developers at Rockstar Games, they're also probably doing even more to hype up what promises to be the biggest game launch of all time.