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Grab the iRestore LED mask for under $250 while you can

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 11:20

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 8, the iRestore Red Light Eye Mask is on sale at Amazon for $249, down from its typical $299 list price. That’s a 17% savings on our top pick for targeted red light eye therapy.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRestore iRestore Red Light Eye Mask $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

If your under-eye area is bearing the brunt of late nights, screen glare, or stubborn crow's feet, grabbing a dedicated LED mask is usually the best at-home fix. As of Sept. 8, our favorite targeted model — the iRestore red light eye mask — is down to $249 at Amazon. That’s a clean $50 drop from its typical $299 price tag, giving you a chance to score clinical-grade LED tech without paying full price.

The mask uses two types of invisible light that work together: red light (which smooths fine surface lines) and near-infrared light (which penetrates slightly deeper to boost blood flow and help firm the skin).

SEE ALSO: Is this $45 red light gua sha a promising Solawave dupe?

After spending 12 full months testing over 10 top-tier LED devices, Mashable's Leah Stodart named this model the best red light eye mask on the market. What sets it apart is pure light density — it packs 180 LEDs into a targeted half-face design. It’s cordless, super thin, "barely weighs a pound," and packs enough juice for "at least 10 days on one charge" (and up to two weeks depending on daily use), making it way easier to travel with than a bulky full-face shield.

In her testing, Leah introduced it to help with dark under-eyes and crow's feet, noticing a "sustainable glow up" where her lines weren't as deep, and CC cream didn't look "raisin-y" anymore. Is it cheap? No — Leah noted it is "pricier than most dedicated eye masks," and it obviously won't "completely eliminate crow's feet or match the effectiveness of Botox." But for targeting the eye zone, she found the extra power and coverage well worth it.

Grab our favorite targeted iRestore red-light eye mask for under $250 on Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Hisense 75-inch U8 ULED Mini-LED 4K TV is over $400 off at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 11:18

SAVE OVER $400: As of Sept. 8, the Hisense 75-inch U8 ULED Mini-LED 4K TV is back to its lowest-ever price at Amazon of $1,249.99. That's $448 off its list price of $1,697.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75" U8 Series ULED Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV $1,249.99 at Amazon
$1,697.99 Save $448   Get Deal

Labor Day sales may be winding down, but for those looking to save on a new TV for fall, there are still some excellent discounts floating around. If you're looking for a big upgrade in screen size, Amazon is offering a great deal on the Hisense 75-inch U8 ULED Mini-LED 4K TV, returning it to its lowest-ever price.

Usually, this Hisense TV is priced at $1,697.99, but as of Sept. 8, shoppers can grab it for $1,249.99 at the retailer. That saves you $448 in total and, again, marks a return to its lowest price there so far. If it's caught your eye, now is the time to add it to your shopping cart. Considering it's marked as a limited-time deal, it may not be on sale for long, either, so the clock is ticking to pick it up.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this uncomplicated TV specs guide

Fall's TV streaming lineup is looking exciting so far, and this 75-inch Hisense TV looks like a fantastic way to watch it all. In addition to its large screen size, it delivers stunning picture quality thanks to 4K resolution, QLED Color, and Mini-LED Pro technology. According to the store page, the latter reaches up to 5,000-nit peak brightness, allowing you to enjoy deeper contrast, richer shadows, and brighter on-screen lighting.

If you're someone who loves gaming, this Hisense TV also features a Native 165Hz Panel with a Variable Refresh Rate of 48Hz to 165Hz for smooth, lag-free gameplay. It also features AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Auto Low Latency Mode, and Low Latency MEMC, which help eliminate screen tearing.

As we get further away from Labor Day, this deal is less likely to stick around, so act fast to save on the Hisense 75-inch U8 ULED Mini-LED 4K TV at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This limited-time deal gets you Microsoft Office 2024 for $50

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows is on sale for $49.97 (reg. $249.99), giving you six desktop apps with a lifetime license for one PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$249.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Some software gets opened once and forgotten. Word, Excel, and Outlook tend to earn their spot on the taskbar. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus bundles those apps, and three more, into a lifetime license for one Windows PC, and for our Labor Day sale, it’s available for only $49.97 (reg. $249.99).

The Professional Plus edition includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, covering considerably more than typing up the occasional document. Word handles reports, resumes, and other written projects, while Excel gives you the tools to organize and analyze data, build formulas, and turn numbers into charts that make them slightly less intimidating. PowerPoint takes care of presentations, and Outlook keeps email, calendars, and contacts together.

OneNote gives you a place to consolidate meeting notes, research, and the ideas currently scattered across six different apps. Access is the more specialized member of the bunch, offering database management tools for organizing and working with larger collections of information.

Office 2024 also comes with a refreshed interface and dark mode support, which won’t finish that spreadsheet for you but may make staring at it late at night a little easier.

This edition is designed around a fixed feature set rather than the continually evolving experience of Microsoft 365. That means the included tools remain relatively consistent rather than regularly gaining new features, while security updates are provided throughout the supported lifecycle. For businesses with controlled IT environments, or anyone who would rather not have their workflow rearranged underneath them, that predictability can be useful.

The desktop software also isn’t dependent on cloud-based functionality for its core tools. You can keep documents and other files locally and continue working when you don’t have a reliable internet connection, whether you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply dealing with Wi-Fi that has chosen violence for the day.

Of course, there are some caveats. This license is linked to the Windows PC where you activate it rather than your Microsoft account, and it can’t be transferred to another machine. That makes it a better fit for a computer you plan to keep for a while than one that’s already due for an upgrade.

Usually retailing for $249.99, you can grab Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus on sale for $49.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Skip roaming fees in Europe with 20GB of data for $24.99

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Traveling through Europe or the UK? Get a Vuoly eSIM with 20GB of mobile data for 30 days for $24.99 (reg. $39).

Opens in a new window Credit: Vuoly Vuoly eSim Mobile Data Plan: EU + UK - 20GB/30 Days $24.99
$39 Save $14.01   Get Deal

International travel already comes with enough logistics. Figuring out mobile data after landing doesn’t need to be one of them. The Vuoly eSIM Mobile Data Plan gives travelers 20GB of high-speed mobile data across supported EU destinations and the UK for 30 consecutive days — for 36% off.

Because this is an eSIM, there’s nothing physical to pick up, ship, or swap into your phone. Like plenty of useful mobile tech, the setup happens digitally: After purchase, you’ll get an activation code by email, scan the provided QR code, and activate your plan when you’re ready for the 30-day period to begin.

Your existing SIM can remain active, too, so you can keep your primary phone number while using Vuoly for mobile data. That makes it especially practical for maps, messaging, email, rideshare apps, video calls, and all the other things that suddenly become essential when you’re navigating an unfamiliar city.

The 20GB allowance works across 27 supported EU countries (Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden, to name a few) and the UK, so travelers moving between destinations don’t have to buy a new local SIM at every stop.

Compatibility is worth checking before purchasing. The plan requires an eSIM-capable device running iOS 17.4 or later or Android 12 or later, and each eSIM works with one compatible device.

For travelers who would rather set up mobile data before takeoff than investigate roaming rates after landing, it’s a straightforward option.

Get the Vuoly Europe and UK 20GB eSIM for $24.99 (reg. $39).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Compare ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more from a single $55.30 dashboard for life

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Through Sept. 10, get a ChatPlayground AI Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) for $55.30 (reg. $619).

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $55.30
$619 Save $563.70   Get Deal

If you’ve ever copied the same prompt into three different AI tools just to see which one gives the best answer, you’re not alone. Different models excel at different things — but juggling tabs and subscriptions gets old fast. ChatPlayground AI puts the top AI models in one place, so you can compare responses side by side without the back-and-forth.

From now through Sept. 10, a lifetime subscription is on sale for $55.30. GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, Perplexity, and more — all in one clean interface. It’s built for people who iterate fast, test variations, and actually care about optimizing results.

Beyond comparisons, ChatPlayground AI includes prompt engineering tools to refine outputs, image and PDF chat for context-aware responses, saved chat history for ongoing projects, and AI image generation powered by leading models. There’s even a Chrome extension to integrate it directly into your browsing workflow.

The Unlimited Plan means unlimited messages per month, making it ideal for startups, product teams, marketers, and prompt engineers who run experiments nonstop. You also get priority support and early access to new features and future models.

If you’re already paying for multiple AI tools — or constantly switching between them — this consolidates everything into one streamlined platform.

Grab lifetime access to ChatPlayground AI Unlimited for $55.30 (reg. $619) through Sept. 10 and stop juggling models for good.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

40+ Labor Day deals still available, including TVs, mattresses, Apple, and more

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 10:29
Best Labor Day 2026 deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $649 (save $100) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,102) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Echo Show 11 $189.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $329 (save $120) Get Deal Best home deal Ruggable save up to 30% sitewide Get Deal Best outdoor deal Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 quart) $169.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Segway Navimow X430 Robot Lawn Mower $2,249 (save $250) Get Deal

Summer is officially coming to an end, and Labor Day has come and gone.

If you're looking for a seasonal refresh, big-box retailers are offering huge discounts across almost every category. It's the ideal time to upgrade your mattress, stock up on outdoor gear during the REI Labor Day Sale, or grab a 4K TV just in time for kickoff ahead of the NHL and NFL seasons.

We won't see discounts this big again until Black Friday, so now's the time to act — especially with tech and appliance prices continuing to climb. We've been tracking the best post-Labor Day deals still live across Apple, TVs, mattresses, laptops, and home essentials.

Best Apple deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $649
$749 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple iPad Air with an M4 chip is something to behold. It's a step up in performance from the previous M3, and it's super lightweight and thin. It's also powerful and smart enough to handle intense programs like Final Cut Pro, making it a great option for creators and artists.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth reviewed the M4 iPad Air and wrote, "Artists and note-takers will definitely appreciate this one."

More Apple dealsBest mattress and bedding deals Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress (Queen) $699 at DreamCloud
$1,892 Save $1,193   Get Deal Why we like it

For Labor Day, the Queen-size DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress is marked down to $699, which is up to 60% off.

It's a 12-inch hybrid that balances comfort and support, using a cooling fiber cover, an inch of pressure-relieving memory foam, and individually wrapped coils so you don't feel it every single time your partner tosses and turns. You also get a 365-night home trial and a "Forever Warranty" so you aren't stuck with it if you hate it.

If you're upgrading your whole setup, I highly recommend grabbing a base while you're at it. I actually have the Bamboo Platform Bed Frame they have on the site, and it genuinely only took me 20 minutes to put together.

Even more mattress deals Best TV deals TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,102.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're hunting for the best Labor Day TV deal to carry you through football season and winter movie nights, the 65-inch TCL QM8L is down to $1,397.99 at Amazon, which is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Instead of cutting corners to hit a price point, this panel delivers high-end specs: 4,000+ local dimming zones and up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness eliminate haloing, so dark scenes look black rather than washed-out gray.

You're also getting a native 144Hz refresh rate for live sports and gaming, a 7000:1 contrast ratio, built-in Audio by Bang & Olufsen, and Google TV built right in, so you aren't fighting three different remotes just to open an app.

More TV deals Best home & kitchen appliance deals Best home deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsungs 65-inch The Frame TV is $550 off at Amazon — give your living room gallery vibes for under $950

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 10:09

SAVE $550: As of Sept. 8, the 65-inch Samsung The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) is on sale for $947.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount off its $1,497.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 65-inch Samsung The Frame LS03F Smart TV (2025 Model) $947.99 at Amazon
$1,497.99 Save $550   Get Deal

If you've been eyeing a high-end display that doesn't completely dominate your wall, the Samsung 65-inch The Frame TV deal is hard to ignore right now. As of Sept. 8, the 2025 model of this viral QLED hybrid is down to $947.99 on Amazon — a massive 37% drop from its usual $1,497.99 price tag, saving you $550.

At its core, The Frame is built to blend into your living room rather than take over. Samsung ditches the messy cluster of HDMI cables behind your wall by using a single, nearly invisible cord that connects the screen to a separate external box where all your devices plug in. When you aren't streaming, it kicks into Art Mode to display famous paintings or your own photos.

SEE ALSO: Best Labor Day TV deals: Our favorite deals on TCL, LG, Samsung, and more

We’ve tested plenty of Frame dupes, but Samsung’s classic display is still our top pick for bright living rooms thanks to its unbeatable matte finish and sleek, flush-mount design. The anti-glare screen diffuses room light so well that the artwork looks like a textured canvas rather than a glowing iPad screen. When Art Mode is off, and you're using it as a TV, it delivers crisp 4K picture quality backed by a fast 120Hz refresh rate (which scales up to 144Hz if you hook up a gaming PC).

That means fast-moving sports won't blur into a mushy mess, and console gaming stays buttery smooth with zero screen tearing. Add in magnetic, snap-on frame bezels that you can swap out to match your wooden furniture or room trim, and you get a high-performance display that doubles as custom wall decor.

Grab the 65-inch Samsung The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) at Amazon while it's under $950.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 10:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you live near or around Dallas.

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: Dallas sports

  • Green: Super Bowl-winning coaches

  • Blue: Pele

  • Purple: Sounds like an NBA team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: DFW Teams

  • Green: Coaches to Win Multiple Super Bowls

  • Blue: Associated with Pele

  • Purple: Ends in an NBA Team

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 #715 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • DFW Teams: COWBOYS, MAVERICKS, STARS, WINGS

  • Coaches to Win Multiple Super Bowls: LANDRY, LOMBARDI, NOLL, PARCELLS

  • Associated with Pele: 10, BRAZIL, COSMOS, SANTOS

  • Ends in an NBA Team: BOOKINGS, JAYHAWKS, PLANETS, WHEAT

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for September 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 10:00

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 September 8, 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 September 8, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 8 Pips

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

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 8 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 8 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roku Streaming Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon for a limited time

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 09:56

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 8, the Roku Streaming Stick HD is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick HD $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal

Still have a perfectly good TV that just happens to be missing smart TV functionalities? The Roku Streaming Stick HD is currently on sale on Amazon, and it's a great way to access a wide range of streaming apps and channels without replacing the TV itself.

As of Sept. 8, it's dropped in price to $29.99, saving you $10. This is the most affordable of Roku's streaming sticks, so if you want a cheap and effective way to bring streaming to your device, you can't go wrong.

The compact design keeps the setup simple. Just plug the stick into your TV, where it is powered directly, so there's no need for a separate power cable or a wall outlet. The included remote is also nice and easy to use, letting you control the TV's power and volume as well as search for content using your voice.

The small size also makes it easy to take with you when traveling. Plug it into a compatible TV wherever you're staying and access your own streaming setup without having to sign into your accounts on someone else's device.

You can find this Roku deal at Amazon right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple AirTag 4-pack (2nd Gen) is still on sale at Amazon after Labor Day

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 09:52

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 8, the Apple AirTag 4-pack (2nd Gen) is on sale for $89 at Amazon. That's a 10% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-pack (2nd Gen) $89 at Amazon
$99 Save $10   Get Deal

Labor Day sales are mostly settling down now, following the long weekend, but some retailers still have lingering deals you can snatch up, like this Amazon deal on the Apple AirTag 4-pack (2nd Gen), which is still at its lower price of $89. And if you're someone who habitually loses your keys or passport, this $ 10-off offer is a great excuse to add some trackers to your belongings.

If you haven't used AirTags before, they're small tracking devices that can help you locate things like keys, wallets, and luggage. Simply attach an AirTag to the item you want to track, then use your iPhone or iPad to find it.

It works through the Find My app, where expanded Precision Finding gives you step-by-step directions to your lost item. It also comes with a built-in speaker, so if your item is nearby but out of sight, you can play a sound to locate it. This speaker is 50% louder than previous models, plus the Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth chips have been upgraded to extend the range for finding items.

You can also temporarily share an AirTag's location with trusted contacts, third parties, or more than 50 airline partners, making it a handy way to locate lost luggage.

Head to Amazon now to grab this AirTag deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $150: The Breville Barista Express Impress espresso machine is back on sale at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 09:48

SAVE $150: As of Sept. 8, the Breville Barista Express Impress is on sale for $649.95 at Amazon. That's a 19% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express Impress $649.95 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150.04   Get Deal

If your morning coffee could use an upgrade, Amazon has a deal worth checking out. The Breville Barista Express Impress is currently on sale, giving you a chance to transform your morning brew into a proper espresso setup.

As of Sept. 8, it's currently $150 off, bringing the list price down from $799.95 to $649.99. You can also choose from several colors, including brushed stainless steel, damson blue, or black stainless steel.

It's an impressive machine, designed to give you the best possible espresso. It has a built-in conical burr grinder that grinds beans directly into the portafilter. During extraction, low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure, while digital temperature control maintains the water temperature. A grind size dial lets you adjust the coarseness, and you can also change the amount of coffee used for either a single or double shot.

A steam wand is included for texturing milk, which is ideal if you prefer milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The machine also comes with a range of accessories, including a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, single- and dual-wall filter baskets, a Razor dose-trimming tool, a coffee scoop, a stainless steel milk jug, cleaning discs and tablets, and a water filter with holder.

This Breville deal is available at Amazon now, but only for a limited time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roborock Qrevo CurvX has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon. Save $700 now.

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 09:45

SAVE $700: As of Sept. 8, the Roborock Qrevo CurvX is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon. That's a 47% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Qrevo CurvX $799.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $700   Get Deal

Tired of dragging the vacuum around yourself? Then it's time for a robot vacuum. And as of Sept. 8, there's a great deal on the Roborock Qrevo CurvX to make the switch easier. Down $700 to $799.99, it packs 22,000Pa HyperForce suction and a Zero-Tangling Design to tackle dirt, carpet debris, and pet and long hair up to 40cm. It also mops, taking another chore off your hands.

It has a compact design, meaning it can easily get into those awkward spaces beneath sofas, cabinets, and other low furniture where dust and dirt tend to build up. And for navigation, it combines the RetractSense Navigation System and LiDAR sensors with Reactive AI Obstacle Recognition, using structured light and an RGB camera to identify and avoid up to 108 object types as it moves around your home.

It's also well-equipped to handle dirt and excess hair from your pets. In addition to extra cleaning capabilities, it has features such as pet recognition to help it avoid getting too close, video calling, and two-way voice interaction that let you check in on your pets and see what they're up to while you're away.

You can find this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 04:00

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 September 8, 2026 Purple meaning

A color that combines red and blue.

Stripes meaning

A combination of lines, frequently in a similar color or pattern of colors.

Skort meaning

A combo of shorts and a skirt.

Gloves meaning

Clothing designed to cover the hands.

Corvette meaning

A popular sports car made by Chrevrolet.

Artichoke meaning

A vegetable.

Doves marker meaning

A variety of different kinds of bids.

Marsh meaning

Terrain that tends to be wet and muddy.

Sacred meaning

Something hallowed.

Beret meaning

A particular kind of headwear.

Viper meaning

A kind of snake or a model of car made by Dodge.

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Twixt meaning

To be between.

Suspenders meaning

Something used to hold up trousers.

Firebird meaning

A type of muscle car.

Mustang meaning

A type of horse or muscle car.

Take to meaning

To grow fond of something.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 04:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like cars.

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 September 6, 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: Vehicles

  • Green: Clothing items

  • Blue: Same second word

  • Purple: Almost sweet

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Classic American performance cars

  • Green: Features of a mime costume

  • Blue: __ heart

  • Purple: Candy bars plus a letter

Play our Big Guessing Game: Make your predictions now for a chance to win a new Apple Watch. Time's running out!

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 #1185 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Classic American performance cars: CORVETTE, FIREBIRD, MUSTANG, VIPER

  • Features of a mime costume: BERET, GLOVES, STRIPES, SUSPENDERS

  • __ heart: ARTICHOKE, PURPLE, SACRED, TAKE TO

  • Candy bars plus a letter: DOVES, MARSH, SKORT, TWIXT

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

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints involve a common shared experience.

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 September 8, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's elementary!

The words are related to schooling.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things found in educational settings.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Back to School.

NYT Strands word list for September 8
  • Desk

  • Markers

  • Cubby

  • Easel

  • Globe

  • Back to School

  • Whiteboard

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 8, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't have good eyes.

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 8, 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 September 8, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To be more lively.

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 L.

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...

LIVEN

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 long-dead programming languages that can still land you a good job

How-To Geek - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 02:00

The programming world isn't just about Rust or TypeScript, and huge swaths of the economy rely on systems and technologies we rarely think about. These represent an opportunity, and dying languages that carry a lot of weight may offer the best of them. If niche technologies spark your interest, then this one's for you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the first 4 Android settings I change after a factory reset

How-To Geek - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 01:30

Have you ever noticed that the factory reset on any phone does only half the job? Yes, it’s true. So, I never immediately start downloading my apps or restoring everything from my backup once it boots up. Instead, I take a few minutes to go through the settings and make my phone feel like mine again. After all, a factory reset is supposed to give you a fresh phone; why bring back all the clutter and defaults you were trying to get rid of in the first place?

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the first Home Assistant automation that got the thumbs-up from my family

How-To Geek - Tue, 09/08/2026 - 01:00

For many years, I built smart home automations that my family tolerated at best. It took a change of approach to finally create an automation that my family genuinely appreciated. That single automation ended up being a real turning point in how my family sees my smart home hobby.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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