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TL;DR: 1min.AI gives you access to dozens of AI models like GPT, Claude, and Gemini, and lifetime access is just $80 through Aug. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.99
$540 Save $460.01   Get Deal

AI subscriptions aren’t cheap, typically costing around $20 per month, and that’s just for one model like ChatGPT. If you need an expanded set of tools for writing copy, generating images, or analyzing documents, you might end up paying a lot more. Or you could try 1min.AI. This AI platform gives you combined access to dozens of the most popular AI tools, including GPT, Gemini, and Claude. A lifetime subscription is also on sale now for $79.99 (reg. $540).

1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects. There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations. For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.

Here’s a small sample of the AI models you’ll get access to:

• Mistral models

• GPT

• Claude 3 Opus and Claude 3 Sonnet

• Gemini Pro 1.5

• Llama 3

The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month. The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.

Through Aug. 30, it’s only $79.99 to get a 1min.AI lifetime subscription. No coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is on sale for $37.45 at Amazon, down from its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Composite Team/The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 $37.50 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22.49   Get Deal

Here's a Pokémon TCG deal that will appeal to the most dedicated collectors — an impressive 38% off the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2. This set is based on rare Pokémon promo cards, a perfect collection for collectors who appreciate Pokémon art.

As of Aug. 26, the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is on sale for $37.45 at Amazon. You'll save $22.55 from the regular list price of $59.99. And you’ll get free delivery as soon as Sep. 1-2 at the time of writing.

SEE ALSO: Rare Pokémon TCG deal: Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is down to $44 at Amazon

This collection includes a Pokémon TCG booster pack that contains three of a possible nine promo cards. You'll also get two bonus booster packs and a sticker sheet.

Don't miss your chance to save $22.55 on the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 — available at Amazon now for just $37.45.

SAVE $250: As of Aug. 26, the Garmin fēnix 8 Pro is on sale for $1,049.99 at Amazon. That's a 19% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin fēnix 8 Pro $1,049.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $250   Get Deal

Garmin has officially launched its new fēnix 9 lineup. This now makes the fēnix 8 range an older-generation option, but one that could be much more appealing if you can get it at the right price.

As of Aug. 26, you can find the Garmin fēnix 8 Pro on sale for $1,049.99, saving you $250 on the list price. If you don't need the latest model, this is a great chance to grab a premium tracker at a discount.

SEE ALSO: Garmin just launched the screen-free Cirqa Smart Band, and it looks a lot like Whoop

And this really is a premium fitness tracker. It's a multisport GPS smartwatch that combines a rugged design with a bright 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen, titanium bezel, and scratch-resistant sapphire lens. If you enjoy off-grid activities, this watch will be your best friend. It's a great safety option, too, with its inReach satellite technology that can trigger an SOS message to the Garmin Response coordination center for 24/7 assistance in an emergency.

For tracking your workouts, you'll get advanced training features, performance metrics, and training plans for various activities. The watch also offers 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, a built-in LED flashlight, a 40-meter dive rating, and leakproof metal buttons for scuba and apnea dive activities.

Get this Garmin deal at Amazon.

SAVE $76: As of Aug. 26, the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone is on sale for $683 at Amazon. That's a 10% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro $683 at Amazon
$759 Save $76   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new drone, some of the latest changes around laws on foreign-made drones might have you confused. While there is a ban on future imports, products that have already made it through the supply chain and are sitting on shelves can still be bought and used as normal.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro hasn't suddenly disappeared from the market. In fact, this drone is on sale right now. And according to camelcamelcamel, it's at its lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: Capture action-packed aerial footage with 15% off the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX Drone

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a compact, foldable drone with a palm-sized design that slips easily into a pocket. Despite its size, it still offers 42GB of internal storage.

It has a 1-inch CMOS sensor that captures 4K/60 fps HDR video and a gimbal that supports true vertical filming and 225° roll rotation for more creative angles. The Intelligent Flight Battery also provides up to 36 minutes of flight time, with fast charging that allows three batteries to be charged in around 115 minutes.

With the drone, you'll also get a DJI RC-N3 remote controller, one battery, spare propellers, and more essentials needed to fly. Get this record-low deal from Amazon now.

SAVE ALMOST $100: As of Aug. 26, the Anker Solix C1000 is on sale for $499.98 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 $499.98 at Amazon
$599 Save $99.02   Get Deal

Portable power stations are handy for keeping essential devices running when you're away from a regular power source, whether that's during a camping trip or an unexpected outage at home. The Anker Solix C1000 is a versatile option for both, and it's currently on sale at Amazon, bringing the price down to $499.98 for a limited time.

It's a powerful unit, boasting 1,024Wh capacity, 2,000W output, and 3,000W peak across 10 ports. This means you can run several devices at the same time. HyperFlash technology enables faster recharging, with a full charge taking just 49 minutes at 1,600W when the feature is activated through the Anker app. You can also recharge it using compatible solar panels (sold separately), with up to 600W of solar input that allows the unit to reach full charge in around 1.8 hours.

SEE ALSO: A new Ninja Boss blender is here: Meet the CrushBoss

According to Anker, this unit is also 14% smaller and 11% lighter than comparable models. If you're shopping for a power source that is easy to take on camping trips or on the go, this is a great choice for portability.

This sale price is a limited-time deal, so to save almost $100 on the Anker Solix C1000, head to Amazon now.

It was a warm summer night in September 2017 when Mashable asked itself: Has Apple innovation stalled? Do these glitzy new Apple phones (back then, that was the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, as well as the then-upcoming iPhone X) carry their weight, or did iPhone evolution end with the most perfect phone that came out two years earlier?

In short, we asked ourselves: Was the iPhone 6S the last of the great iPhones?

First, a little context. I didn't write the article; I'm way too enamored with the next new thing to look back in such a way. It was written by my former colleague Foster Kamer. Ever the new phone skeptic, Kamer argued that the iPhone 6S, then two generations old, was the perfect iPhone; one that's fast enough, perfectly sized, light, and equipped both with a headphone jack (remember those) and an actual Touch ID button, which was later replaced with a faux button and, ultimately, with Face ID.

The article goes into quite a bit of detail, but ultimately it's not just about the iPhone 6S or any particular iPhone; it's also about how the best iPhone purchase is almost always one that's one or two generations old. Because, you know, it's just so much cheaper.

SEE ALSO: The latest iPhone 18 news, leaks, and rumors: Release date, price increases, and colors

This is where I'm willing to concede the argument: Yes, if you don't care about the latest fancy new feature, by all means go for last year's phone, or even the one before that. It's probably gonna serve you just as well; it'll be a lot cheaper, and since these are iPhones we're talking about, it'll probably last you a good two, three, or even four years.

This is even more true today than it was in 2017. Smartphone companies have been putting their best R&D minds to work on smartphones for decades now, and innovation has, to some extent, been exhausted. I'm using the latest and greatest iPhone 17 Pro Max, but I can honestly say that switching to the previous model wouldn't kill me.

Glorious Touch ID button, why has thou abandoned us? Credit: Future Publishing / Getty Images

However, go back a year or two more, and the differences are staggering. The battery life and camera on my current iPhone are just so much better than they were on the iPhone 14 or 15 Pro Max, it's not even funny. I'm not even talking about some fancy new features; I'm talking about the very basics, precisely the stuff that seemingly reached its peak at every new iteration. The iPhones are still evolving; it's just harder to notice year over year.

To go back to 2017 and the 4.7-inch iPhone 6S, the argument that it is the peak iPhone seems hilariously wrong from our current perspective. Back then, it seemed like Face ID wasn't good enough to replace the Touch ID button, but it was, and it opened the way to iPhones with much larger displays. The iPhone 6S' 12-megapixel camera is potato-quality compared with today's powerful phone cameras, and don't even get me started on the 5-megapixel selfie camera. Yes, it was light, practical, and good enough for basic tasks, which is why Apple held on to a similar form factor for years in the form of iPhone SE. But no, the iPhone 6S was not particularly special, and it would feel laughably underpowered when used alongside any recent iPhone.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Ultra might have a staggered, country-by-country rollout

As I type this, we're probably weeks away from the grand unveiling of the iPhone Ultra. It’ll be Apple’s first foldable iPhone, making it a very different beast from all the iPhones that came before it. It’ll probably be fatter, heavier, and more expensive than regular iPhones. Still, it will also unfold into a glorious tablet, paving the way for actually enjoyable reading, or binging House of the Dragon on the go. And just like every new iPhone that takes a different direction from the ones that came before it, people will say it’s trash, and they’ll say you should stick to the far cheaper, far simpler iPhone that came out a few years back. Perhaps we at Mashable will once again have someone declaring that some older device was “peak iPhone,” especially when compared to some foldable nonsense.

This will surely be true for some people, and choosing a vintage device will definitely save you a decent amount of money. But then you’ll see, at the corner of your eye, someone riding the subway, someone enjoying a movie on the iPhone Ultra’s massive inner display. Then you’ll look at your old iPhone’s comparatively puny display, and you may feel a certain way, the same way you felt when you last realized that the new thing may just be, well, better than the old thing.

Credit: Internet Archive "The iPhone 6S is the last of the great iPhones, everything else is trash," published Sept. 11, 2017

SAVE $30: As of Aug. 26, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 60% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select $19.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Amazon has recently raised the list price of several of its devices, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. This popular model just jumped from $39.99 to $49.99. That's a $10 increase on one of Amazon's most affordable streaming sticks.

Thankfully, if you're looking to buy, it's currently on sale for just $19.99. This deal is for the latest 2026 release, which includes upgrades such as a new, modern design and more streamlined recommendations from Alexa+.

SEE ALSO: Kindles just got more expensive, but the Kobo Clara Colour is on sale for under $160

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select can stream content in 4K Ultra HD with HDR10+, making sure that movies and shows look sharper and more detailed. Getting started is straightforward, too. Plug it into your TV, connect it to WiFi, and you're ready to go.

For streaming, you can access all the main services like Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. It isn't limited to watching shows and movies, either: if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play supported Game Pass games straight through your TV.

If you're looking to save on the Fire TV Stick Select, this limited-time deal is not one to skip.

TL;DR: Disney, the NFL, Champion, and Fanatics just revealed all 32 team-character pairings for their new apparel collection — including the Eagles as Doctor Doom and the Packers as Chewbacca — with tees, crewnecks, and fleece now available online.

Disney just completed one of its biggest crossovers yet.

Disney Consumer Products, the NFL, Champion, and Fanatics revealed the final wave of team-character pairings in the Disney x Champion NFL Collection, completing a lineup that matches all 32 NFL teams with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. The collection includes tees, crewnecks, and fleece for every team, and it's available now online and at select retailers nationwide.

Credit: Champion / Disney / Fanatics / NFL

Here's every team's match, broken down by division:

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills: Beast — strong, a little wild, fiercely loyal underneath it all

• Miami Dolphins: King Triton — royalty of the sea, fitting for a franchise with real staying power

• New England Patriots: Captain America — the embodiment of legacy and leadership

• New York Jets: Buzz Lightyear — fast, high-flying, and full of confidence

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens: Diaval and Maleficent — dark, calculated, and hard to shake

• Cincinnati Bengals: Shere Khan — all stripes and swagger

• Cleveland Browns: Pluto — loyal and always down for a scrap, just like the Dawg Pound

• Pittsburgh Steelers: Pete — tough, no-nonsense, and built for physical football

AFC South

• Houston Texans: Jessie — fearless and gritty, with that classic Texas spirit

• Indianapolis Colts: Horace Horsecollar — a steady, hardworking Midwest workhorse

• Jacksonville Jaguars: Pepita — a spirit guide whose courage matches the team's identity

• Tennessee Titans: Thanos — locked in, relentless, and impossible to look away from

AFC West

• Denver Broncos: Maximus — tough and pioneering, always pushing forward

• Kansas City Chiefs: Big Bad Wolf — impossible to ignore, just like Chiefs Kingdom

• Las Vegas Raiders: Darth Vader — all mystique and menace

• Los Angeles Chargers: Hercules and Pegasus — legendary strength paired with serious flair

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys: Woody — classic cowboy charm with real staying power

• New York Giants: Wreck-It Ralph — big, tough, but with heart underneath

• Philadelphia Eagles: Doctor Doom — commanding and hard to beat, cape and all

• Washington Commanders: Hamm — a nod to "The Hogs" and their grounded strength

NFC North

• Chicago Bears: Baloo — laid-back, fun-loving, and right at home in Chicago

• Detroit Lions: Simba — pride, strength, and a team on a mission

• Green Bay Packers: Chewbacca — loyal through the cold, no matter the conditions

• Minnesota Vikings: Thor — an obvious pick for a fan base that already yells "SKOL"

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons: The Millennium Falcon — a fan favorite that's built a following through every twist and turn

• Carolina Panthers: Bagheera — disciplined and sharp, matching the team's black-and-blue identity

• New Orleans Saints: Louis — full of New Orleans energy and enthusiasm

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Captain Hook — expressive, unmistakable, and leaning fully into the pirate theme

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals: Jafar and Iago — a fittingly dramatic desert duo

• Los Angeles Rams: Sulley — big presence, big city, big championship energy

• San Francisco 49ers: Stinky Pete the Prospector — a nod to the team's Gold Rush roots

• Seattle Seahawks: The "Mine, Mine, Mine" Seagulls — a playful callback to the team's loud, dedicated fan base

The full lineup is out now. Disney says the collection is part of a bigger push tied to Disney and ESPN's "Year of the Super Bowl," building toward ESPN's first-ever Super Bowl broadcast on Feb. 14, 2027.

Shop the full Disney x Champion NFL Collection at NFLShop, Fanatics, and Disney Store.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

Samsung and Google are still the center of attention. Samsung just dropped three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses. Google then came along and dropped new smartphones, smartwatches, and more. Apple fans still need to wait for news of the latest iPhones.

Simply can't wait? You should know that you can still secure a limited-time offer on iPhones from T-Mobile. That's great news in the face of Apple price increases due to RAMageddon.

These are the best free iPhone deals from T-Mobile this week:

• iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required.

• iPhone 17 — free when signing up for an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone.

• iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee. That's a small catch, but that's how it often goes with this kind of deal.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." That's enough for us to consider upgrading.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free this week with T-Mobile.

Apple has lowered the price on its Polishing Cloth. Previously priced at $19, the plain off-white microfibre cloth could now be yours for just $9. Alternatively, you could just get an off-brand one that does the exact same thing for a fraction of the price.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces new $899 M6 Mac mini and $5,499 M5 Ultra Mac Studio

Introduced in 2021, the Apple Polishing Cloth was advertised as being "made with soft, nonabrasive material" that "cleans any Apple display, including nano-texture glass, safely and effectively." The tech giant also included a list of compatible Apple products in the cloth's Apple Store listing, stretching all the way back to the 4th generation iPod Shuffle released in 2010.

Of course, the Apple Polishing Cloth was cross-compatible with a much wider range of unlisted devices from other brands. Because, again, it is just a polishing cloth. iFixit even did a teardown of the $19 cloth, discovering that it is really just two pieces of fabric glued together.

"The polishing cloth makes clear that when it comes to innovating new ways to get people to overpay for something, Apple is still leading the pack," former Mashable reporter Jack Morse wrote at the time.

Now the multi-trillion dollar company has made its Polishing Cloth more affordable, slashing its price by over 50 percent. The cloth's Apple Store description appears largely unchanged, barring an updated compatibility list to account for new and retired products. However, the Apple Polishing Cloth is now $10 cheaper, down from $19 to a comparatively more affordable $9.

Even so, that's still $9 for a basic microfibre cleaning cloth. If you aren't concerned with having an Apple-branded cloth to polish your Apple-branded phone while checking your Apple-branded watch, you can easily pick up a bulk pack of microfibre cloths for less. 

The Apple Polishing Cloth's price reduction might be enticing to those eager to shell out their hard-earned cash for absolutely anything Apple-branded. Within days of unveiling the cloth in October 2021, Apple pushed back its delivery window by over three weeks, with backorders stretching into January before the end of the month. For everyone else, you're probably better off saving your cash.

TL;DR: Live stream select La Liga fixtures for free on CazéTV. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Premier League has fast-paced football that's all about physicality. The Bundesliga has the best attendances in incredible stadia. Ligue 1 is all about young talent coming up against the strength of PSG. But what about La Liga? The top of the Spanish football league system leads the way in technical ability and superstar names.

Of course, a lot of fans watch La Liga to follow Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, but there's so much more on offer from this incredible league. Want to see for yourself? It has never been easier to watch online.

If you want to watch 2026-27 La Liga for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is La Liga?

La Liga is a professional football league in Spain and the highest level of the Spanish football league system. It is controlled by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is contested by 20 teams over a 38-matchday season.

The defending champions are Barcelona.

When is La Liga?

The 2026/27 La Liga season will start on Aug. 15. The campaign will likely end on May 23 or May 30.

How to watch La Liga for free

CazéTV will be showing select La Liga fixtures for free on their YouTube channel.

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions 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 unblock free live streams of the La Liga from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 La Liga by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Brazil

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch La Liga fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of La Liga without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus coverage of the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for CazeTV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream for free on CazéTV, 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 — 80% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream La Liga for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

It's 2026, and times are good for getting what you want, when you want it, at the tap of a phone screen. That's right, there's a whole world of consumer brilliance behind an endless selection of apps. You can get almost anything you desire via your smartphone: Your weekly shopping, your favorite pizza, your high-end tech, even — our personal favorite — a red-hot hookup.

In fact, it's become the standard way to meet a date or potential partner. Online dating replaced the process of chatting someone up in a bar years ago, with the phenomenon of dating websites now going back decades. Some of these sites started up in the 1990s, in fact, though most of the modern-day dating action happens via apps. And as with all technology, the world of online and app-based dating continues to evolve.

According to the top sex-perts at Lovehoney — the popular sex toy brand and retailer that sells everything from lingerie and lubricants to dildos and tech-based toys — we're living in horny-but-wholesome times. Lovehoney has named 2026 "The Year of Pleasure."

But it's not about frivolous flings and one-night stands. It may be a surprise to some dating app users, but the humble one-night stand is on the decline. Wannabe daters are apparently searching for "purposeful pleasure" and "meaningful connections" instead of quick-and-easy sex.

People are still hooking up. Sex itself is still very much a No. 1 activity. But daters are on the hunt for hookups of substance — flings that actually mean something. We're becoming increasingly selective about who we hookup with and why. That's why it's important to use the right dating app. Each one offers something a little different, so the type of connections will vary from app to app.

To help you get started, we’ve looked at the top apps and taken advice from sex and relationship experts.

What to know before you swipe

Before you start downloading apps and sending a "hey" to anyone who catches your eye, it’s best to know just how to approach online dating. Our advice is to be 100 percent up front about who you are and what you’re looking for. And if you're interested purely in hooking up, maybe pass on more mainstream dating apps — apps such as eharmony that focus on romance and long-term relationships. The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the best free apps have ironclad safety features like profile verification.

Our main advice, though, is to stick to apps that are specifically designed for hookups and casual fun. Or even apps that are made to satisfy your kink (trust us, whatever that kink is, the likes of AdultFriendFinder have you covered). It can be freeing, not to mention productive, to be open about your desires. The ways in which we understand sex and relationships are changing all the time — just look at fast-growing "heteroflexible" sexuality, for instance. Hookup apps will allow you to explore any and all curiosities — but without any judgment or social anxiety.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for. It could be the chance to explore a new sexual frontier or a friends-with-benefits situation. And just because the one-night stand is in decline, it's still fun — just ensure it's safe and on your terms.

Whatever it is, we can help make it happen with this guide to the best hookup apps. Our selections are based on Mashable’s own real-world testing, expert input, and general dating app experience. We’ve broken down each of these hookup apps by features and function, and we've offered an option for every type of dater and every dating desire.

These are the best hookup apps for 2026.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you're a fan of UT-Austin.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Injury-prone

• Green: Cycling

• Blue: Go Longhorns

• Purple: Could be spelled like a sports team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Vulnerable Spot

• Green: Famous Cycling Races

• Blue: Associated with the University of Texas

• Purple: Starts with an NFL Team, in Singular Form

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 #702 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Vulnerable Spot: ACHILLES' HEEL, DEFECT, FLAW, WEAKNESS

• Famous Cycling Races: GIRO D'ITALIA, IL LOMBARDIA, TOUR DE FRANCE, VUELTA A ESPANA

• Associated with the University of Texas: AUSTIN, BEVO, BURNT ORANGE, HOOK 'EM

• Starts with an NFL Team, in Singular Form: COLT MCCOY, LIONEL MESSI, RAMBLERS, SAINT JOSEPH'S

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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 yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips 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 on to 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 with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 26, 2026

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 August 26, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 26 Pips

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

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (28): Everything in this space must add up to 28. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 26 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 26 Pips

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're gifted.

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 26, 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: Abracadabra

• Green: Aptitude

• Blue: Signified by a letter

• Purple: Opens the door

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "There you have it!"

• Green: Knack

• Blue: What "P" might stand for

• Purple: Key ___

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 #1172 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "There you have it!": BEHOLD, PRESTO, SHAZAM, VOILÀ

• Knack: FORTE, GIFT, STRENGTH, TALENT

• What "P" might stand for: PAGE, PARK, PHOSPHORUS, PIANO

• Key ___: CHAIN, LARGO, LIME, SIGNATURE

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

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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 a workaholic.

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.

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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 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All in a day's work

The words are adjectives related to an occupation.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe responsibilities.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Part of the Job.

NYT Strands word list for August 26

• Errand

• Assignment

• Part of the Job

• Duty

• Task

• Chore

• Project

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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.

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 26, 2026 Park meaning

To stop driving a vehicle, or a green space for people to enjoy.

Lime meaning

A type of fruit.

Forte meaning

Area of expertise.

Largo meaning

A musical term.

Presto meaning

A musical term, or a word a magician might say.

Signature meaning

A music-related term, or when someone signs their name.

Page meaning

A single sheet of paper within a book.

Gift meaning

Something given to another, usually for a special occasion.

Phosphorous meaning

A chemical element.

Behold meaning

To look upon, sometimes used as an exclamation.

Chain meaning

An object, often metal, connected by a series of links.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Voilà meaning

A French expression that essentially means "here it is."

Talent meaning

Referring to skill and ability.

Shazam meaning

Something a magician might say.

Strength meaning

Related to characteristics that allow someone or something to lift or withstand.

Piano meaning

An instrument that is played by pressing keys.

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a farm.

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 26, 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 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A castrated rooster.

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 C.

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...

CAPON

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

Hurled.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

THREW

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Doomed

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GONER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Belief.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 26, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Aug. 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FAITH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Member of the Catholic Church.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FRIAR

Final Hurdle hint

A tooth.

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

MOLAR

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

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