Blogroll

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon, down from the previous $50.98 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle $39.99 at Amazon
$50.98 Save $10.99   Get Deal

Pitch Black Booster Bundles have finally settled into a much friendlier price range after some sharp fluctuations since the Pokémon TCG expansion’s launch, and Amazon has once again pushed the six-pack box below $40. 

As of Aug. 21, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is now available to buy for $39.99 at Amazon. Against the $50.98 price we've previously seen for this box, that takes $10.99 off the total for a 22% discount and works out to roughly $6.67 per booster pack before tax. 

Better still, this listing is sold and shipped directly by Amazon rather than a marketplace seller. Free delivery is set for as soon as Sept. 12 at the time of writing, although Amazon marks the Booster Bundle as a final sale, so it can't be returned after purchase. 

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If getting the lowest possible checkout price matters more, TCGplayer currently beats Amazon by a small margin.  At the dedicated trading card retailer, against the Pitch Black Booster Bundle’s market price of $36.11, unopened listings start at $38.07 with shipping included — shaving another $1.92 off and bringing each of the six packs down to about $6.35. 

Whichever retailer you choose, the Booster Bundle contains six sealed packs from the Mega Evolution set’s titular Pitch Black expansion. The most valuable pulls worth up to $200 include SIR Mega Darkrai ex, MHR Mega Darkrai ex, and SIR Morpeko ex — though you can also buy any card individually on TCGplayer, too. 

For more packs from this expansion, the Pokémon TCG's Pitch Black 3 Booster Pack Blister is now under $25 at Amazon, too. Plus, the Chaos Rising 3-Pack Blister is now only $24.99. 

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Dutch GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Dutch GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

How have you coped during F1's 2026 summer break? Have you retreated to a safe space and restlessly stared at the calendar, counting down the days to the Dutch GP? No? Just me then.

The good news for the F1 obsessed is that it's finally back this weekend. The Dutch GP picks up where the Hungarian GP left off, with so many unanswered questions about where this season is heading. Antonelli still holds a comfortable lead over his rivals, but this season has already thrown out plenty of surprises, and we would be foolish to think that this season is decided. There's a lot of racing still to come.

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Dutch GP?

The Dutch GP is the 12th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from Zandvoort:

• Practice 1 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Aug. 21

• Sprint Qualifying — 10:30-11:14 a.m. ET on Aug. 21

• Sprint — 6-7 a.m. ET on Aug. 22

• Qualifying — 10-11 a.m. ET on Aug. 22

• Race — 9 a.m. ET on Aug. 23

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Dutch GP for free

An Amazon Prime subscription delivers fast shipping, Prime Day discounts, and access to the Prime Video library. For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video is a bit of a hack. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you full access to stream select races — including this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix — for free. While the subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after seven days, you can cancel the automatic renewal function in your settings and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

Of course, if you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is open to interpretation. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you are genuinely spending nothing to stream the race.

If you've already made use of this sneaky trick, you still have a few solid workarounds:

• Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

• Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

• Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

Best Labor Day outdoor deals at a glance: Best power station deal Anker Solix C300 $199.99 (save $50) Shop Now Best cooler deal Ninja FrostVault $169.99 (save $30) Shop Now Best backyard deal Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights 2 $129.99 (save $60) Shop Now

Summer is winding down, but that doesn't mean the fun is ending. Now that summer temps tend to lean more toward sweltering than comfortable, fall gatherings are the new summer. That means we still have plenty of time for backyard barbecues, putting an inflatable pool on the patio, and spending a weekend camping.

In more good news, retail trends still think we're winding down with the outdoor activities. That means this is the perfect time to make upgrades with sale prices and still get plenty of use before packing it all away for winter.

If you've been thinking about getting a portable power station for camping, refreshing the inflatable pool toys, or finally getting a backyard projector, consider this is a great time to be shopping. Here are some of our favorite Labor Day outdoor deals at Amazon that'll arrive at your doorstep before the long holiday weekend.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C300 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Camping trips don't have to mean disconnecting, unless you want to. But if you'd rather keep in touch, a portable power station is perfect for keeping phones and other devices charged. The Anker Solix C300 comes with 288Wh and four USB-C ports. Anker mentions the capacity of the Solix C300 can recharge a phone about 19 times. Plus, the built-in light is perfect for the campground.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault $169.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances, and the FrostVault cooler has been a favorite since it launched last year. Unlike most coolers, Ninja added a dry storage drawer to the cooler, ensuring there's a dedicated space that'll keep food cool and dry. It's perfect for easy access to road trip sandwiches and snacks.

The 30-quart Ninja FrostVault is on sale on Amazon ahead of Labor Day for $169.99. With 15 pounds of ice, this size can fit 26 cans.

Best backyard deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights 2 $129.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

Light up the backyard, patio, or balcony with the Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights 2. The 144-foot pack is on sale on Amazon for only $129.99 and comes with 45 bulbs. The Govee lights carry an IP65 waterproof rating, so you won't need to worry about them getting wet in fall rainstorms. Govee makes some of the best outdoor lights that are sure to impress your neighbors.

More outdoor deals

• Funboy Giant Inflatable Chaise Lounger Pool Float — $36.47 $69 (save $32.53)

• JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 Portable Speaker — $249.95 $329.95 (save $80)

• Yeti Hopper M Series Portable Soft Cooler — $280 $530 (save $70)

• Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Backpacking and Camping Stove System — $345.94 $449.99 (save $104.05)

• Dometic Recon Hardside Cooler — $337.96 $425 (save $87.04)

• XGIMI MoGo 4 Portable Projector — $399 $499 (save $100)

• AWOL Valerion 200-inch Outdoor Projector Screen — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Nebula X1 4K Laser Projector — $2,299 $2,999 (save $700)

TL;DR: On Aug. 22, Best Buy is marking its 60th anniversary with a limited-quantity, in-store-only deal: a $100 Best Buy Gift Card for $60. It's capped at one per customer, with a minimum of 50 gift cards guaranteed per store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Best Buy 60th Anniversary Sale Get a $100 Best Buy Gift Card for $60 — in stores only, one per customer, while supplies last. Learn More

Best Buy's 60th anniversary sale has already kicked off, but the celebration hits a new gear on Saturday, Aug. 22, with a one-day, in-store-only Anniversary Day event. This event includes a $100 Best Buy Gift Card for just $60, available exclusively at physical stores — no online shopping, no browsing ahead of time.

The gift card is capped at one per customer. Stores are guaranteed a minimum of 50 anniversary gift cards each, though exact inventory will vary by location. Since quantities are limited, Best Buy is advising shoppers to get there early — some locations may even use a line management system and hand out tickets if crowds build up.

SEE ALSO: Shop TVs during Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale — save on LG OLEDs, Hisense, and Samsung

Best Buy has confirmed there won't be rainchecks for anyone who can't make it Saturday, and the gift card deal doesn't qualify for the Price Match Guarantee, even though you're buying it directly in-store. In other words, if you snag the $100 card for $60, that's locked in — but miss the day, and it's gone.

One day, limited stock, no second chances — you know the drill.

Best Labor Day mattress deals at a glance: Best mattress deal Naturepedic Serenade Organic Latex Hybrid (Queen) $1,599.20 (save $439.80) Shop Now Best bedding deal Purple Harmony Pillow $194 (save $35) Shop Now

Sleep is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. It sounds like a simple thing: get into bed, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep. Unfortunately, many of us face a wide range of issues that prevent us from getting restorative sleep. A huge contributor to poor sleep is an old or uncomfortable mattress.

Even beds that come with a lifetime warranty aren't meant to last forever. If your current bed is sagging or you wake up with aches and pains that weren't there the night before, it's probably time for a new mattress. While you're at it, it's smart to refresh the bedding. A supportive pillow and breathable sheets can make a world of difference when it comes to bedtime comfort.

SEE ALSO: Hatch introduces new Sleep Clock, an alarm clock that tracks your sleep

Labor Day mattress and bedding sales are already live, and some take hundreds off bedroom essentials like mattresses, bed frames, and sheets. Check out some of our favorite Labor Day sleep deals below. And if what's keeping you awake is a snoring partner, check the Mashable guide to the best sleep earbuds.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Naturepedic Naturepedic Serenade Organic Latex Hybrid (Queen) $1,559.20 at Naturepedic
$1,999 Save $439.80   Get Deal Why we like it

Designed to work with all sleeper types, the Naturepedic Serenade Hybrid Mattress combines pressure-relieving latex with the support of coils. Plus, there's an organic cotton cover to enhance breathability.

Naturepedic offers this mattress in three firmness levels: plush, cushion-firm, and firm, so there's a great match for every sleeper. All materials in the organic bed are free from flame retardants, fiberglass, and glues. It also comes with a 100-night sleep trial, so you have over three months to make sure the mattress feels comfortable.

More mattress deals

• Avocado: Save up to 20% on organic mattresses

• Bear: Take 35% off sitewide + get free sleep accessories with a new mattress

• Brooklyn Bedding: Take 25% off sitewide and 30% off dorm essentials

• Casper: Save up to 30% on mattresses and 35% off on bundles

• Coyuchi: Take 20% off natural mattresses

• DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

• Eight Sleep: Take up to $500 off Pods and accessories

• Tuft & Needle: Save 25% on all bundles

• Purple: Take up to $800 a mattress and base

• Saatva: Take up to $650 off mattresses or up to $750 off bundles

Best bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Harmony Pillow $194 at Amazon
$229 Save $35   Get Deal Why we like it

If you told me several years ago that I would be telling everyone I know to buy a pillow that costs over $200, I'd say you were lying. But as it turns out, a $229 pillow relieved my neck and shoulder pain. Since I was dropping who knows how much money on doctors' appointments, PT, and magic balms to calm the pain, the price tag was well worth it for me.

In time for a Labor Day refresh, the Purple Harmony pillow is on sale at Amazon for $194. It comes in three thickness levels and uses Purple's GelFlex Grid with responsive latex to provide pressure relief. The result is a pillow that's extra supportive in all sleeping positions, doesn't flatten, and stays cool all night.

More bedding deals

• Baloo: Save $30 on weighted throw blanket + cotton duvet cover bundle

• Cozy Earth: Take 20% off bundles

• Ettitude: Take up to 25% off sitewide and an extra 25% off final sale

• Eli & Elm: Buy one pillow, get a second at 50% off

• Fluff Co.: Save up to 20% on bundles

• Naturepedic: Take 20% off organic bedding

• Mellow Sleep: Take up to 50% off sitewide

• Pluto Pillow: Save $25 on pillow and pillowcase bundles

• Silk & Snow: Take 20% off all bedding

Whatever that was, Spa Weekend at least respects the blooper reel.

Jon Lucas and Scott Moore's frankly terrible comedy gifts audiences who manage to remain seated until the end with the once-mighty inclusion, a stream of gaffs and bloopers from the shoot.

SEE ALSO: 'The Wrong Girls' review: Kristen Stewart and Alia Shawkat shine in stoner buddy comedy

Spa Weekend follows four childhood friends (including one they all hate), burned out from work and parenting, treating themselves to a luxury spa weekend on the Californian coast. But while the film presents a dated lineup of subpar bits and bachelorettecore needle drops, the blooper reel is where the real comedy lives. Blooper reels used to be quintessential for comedies in the '90s and '00s — Lucas and Moore's own The Hangover films and Bad Moms came with blooper reels — but they're now mainly TV territory.

It's here, we get to see the comedy finesse of cast members Isla Fisher and Michelle Buteau, as well as some fun moments from co-stars Anna Faris and Leslie Mann. Fisher, in particular, rolls out some deeply Australian improv gold, which is actually worth sticking around for. These scenes make it awkwardly obvious that Spa Weekend's illustrious cast far outshines the film's half-baked script.

Remember fun? Was that what we were supposed to be having for the last two hours? For a film so determined to Woo Woo Wellness Girlbossification its way through tired takes on meditation, goat yoga, and dildos through to a message about female friendship and empowerment or something, it's deeply unfunny.

Thank f*ck for the outtakes, though.

Spa Weekend is now in cinemas.

Featured Video For You ‘Babes’ and the portrayal of period sex on screen

TL;DR: Watch Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg in Ligue 1 for free on CazéTV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ligue 1 returns this weekend with a stacked schedule of exciting fixtures, starting with Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg.

Both of these sides are part of a group of teams expected to battle it out behind PSG this season. They were separated by only six points last season, with Olympique Marseille coming out on top in fifth place in the standings. Can Bruno Génésio guide Olympique Marseille back into the top three?

If you're interested in watching Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg in Ligue 1 from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg?

Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg in Ligue 1 kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 21. This fixture takes place at the Stade Vélodrome.

How to watch Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg for free

Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg in Ligue 1 is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

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

Live stream Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus additional Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Ligue 1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It should have been a simple road trip, the kind where you ask each other silly hypothetical questions, eat junk food, and make memories that get foggy yet more glorious in the recounting. But It Ends, the directorial debut of writer/helmer/editor Alexander Ullom, takes this setup down a merciless road, where such joys are hard to come by.

The premise seems deceptively simple: Four childhood friends on a road trip find themselves on an endless road, where there's no chance to turn off. And every time they stop, they are rushed by strangers, who race screaming out of the surrounding woods. In such a scenario, what path is left for the group except forward? And what does that look like?

Well, for starters: grim.

SEE ALSO: 'Hellcat' review: Abduction horror gets sensationally hairy It Ends offers a reflection on Gen Z's existential dread.

College has just concluded, and thus it's time for James (Phinehas Yoon), Day (Akira Jackson), and Fisher (Noah Toth) to move out of their dorms and onto the next chapter in their lives. Who better to transport them than their childhood buddy Tyler (Mitchell Cole)? While they were off getting a degree, he was learning how to be a grown-up without one.

In the front seat, Tyler keeps his eyes on the road, while his friends bounce about a familiar internet hypothetical. 50 hawks, 5 gorillas, one gun-toting man, 10,000 mice. Choose two groups to defend you against the other two.

While aspiring graphic designer Day and chipper Fisher argue playfully, James, who has his white-collar life mapped out from shitty first apartment to six-figure salary and happy nuclear family, is dryly judgmental of their logic and the question itself. On its surface, it's a petty disagreement. But it's one that becomes reflective of the four's dynamic as a whole. Tyler is a doer. Fisher and Day, dreamers, who revel in emotion and play over logic. And James is ruthlessly logical.

Featured Video For You Say More: Hannah Einbinder & Jane Schoenbrun on Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

So, it's Tyler who first recognizes that despite their GPS, they're lost. The promised turn in the road hasn't come, and when he turns around, all he finds is a dead-end at a forest thick with screaming strangers. What choice do they have but to take a U-turn and drive the other way?

Ullom builds elements eerily surreal, not in his visuals but in the details of this road's realm. The foursome realizes that the car's gas supply is constant, never dropping below a quarter of a tank. They are similarly stagnant. They no longer experience hunger or thirst. And no matter how much they crave the reprieve of sleep, it will not come.

There is no rest for the youth, stuck in a world they did not make and cannot understand. But that won't stop James from trying. With every passing mile, he seeks tirelessly for new information that might lead to an answer, if not a way out. His friends however, begin to wonder what the point of answers would be if there is no way out. And just like that, Ullom makes his road trip movie a bleak reckoning of what it means to be young on a planet that's being destroyed by those who came before.

It Ends succeeds because of a solid young cast.

Jackson and Toth create a comedy duo of daffy besties, who look to find a laugh even in the darkest moments. Together, they keep It Ends from being suffocatingly bleak. Cole, for his part, grounds the film's reality with an authentic world-weariness. But Yoon is tasked with carrying the film on his shoulders as its restrained core.

Where his friends will scream, cry, whine, and threaten to give up, James is resolute. And Yoon must make this dedication believable, even in the face of so much that is incomprehensible. His dark eyes flicker with defiance as he sees miles of the same stretch of road and forest. And even as his friends add levity or energy, it is he that we are bound to, challenged to recognize where our breaking point might be.

At just 87 minutes, It Ends is a "short-ass movie," but doesn't feel like a sprint. It's a moody trek, on which Ullom expresses existential dread through the deterioration of that most sacred of movie cows: childhood friendship. What if, It Ends asks, the people you depend on the most can't save you from the future? What if the control we imagined we had as kids to choose our vocation and so our destiny were a total fiction? What if the title is a lie, and there is no end? What if the meaning of our lives is not one we can answer, no matter how long the road?

It Ends will silently pose the questions through James and his friends' harrowing journey. But its up to each audience member to find the meaning themselves.

It Ends opens in theaters on Aug. 21.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV (Manchester City vs. Bournemouth on Aug. 23). Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We've been treated to some truly special sporting moments this summer, but nothing really came close to the 2026 World Cup. This tournament delivered in so many ways: we saw huge performances from big names like Haaland, we got shock results like Cape Verde stealing a draw from eventual champions Spain, and there was heaps of controversy, as usual.

Now that domestic seasons are returning, are we fatigued from a summer of sport? Absolutely not. We're impatient for rivalries to be renewed in some of the most competitive leagues in the world. And if we're talking truly unpredictable action from elite clubs in incredibly passionate stadiums, it's tough to beat the Premier League.

How will Arsenal cope with the pressure of being champions? Will Manchester City bounce back from the loss of iconic manager Pep Guardiola? Can Manchester United finally recapture some of their former glories? There are so many questions to be answered as the Premier League returns.

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

What is the Premier League?

The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system. The league is contested by 20 clubs, with each team playing 38 fixtures: two against each other, one home and one away.

The defending champions are Arsenal.

When is the Premier League?

The opening match round of the 2026/27 Premier League season will start on Aug. 21. The season runs until the final round of fixtures on May 30.

How to watch the Premier League for free

CazéTV will be showing select Premier League 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 Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Premier League 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 Premier League 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 the Premier League 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 Ligue 1 and La Liga) 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 the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Queer horror fans have a complicated relationship to the genre. Horror cinema is a place where we have seen ourselves reflected, but often as villains.

From the flamboyant mad scientists of James Whale's Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein to the sapphic vampires of Dracula's Daughter, to the trans-coded killers of Sleepaway Camp and The Silence of the Lambs, LGBTQ+ characters shimmer throughout the fabric of the horror canon. While such problematic portrayals might feel like antiques, they've nonetheless shaped the genre and generations of queer horror fans. And for these folks, American filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun has made Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

Written and directed by Schoenbrun, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma celebrates the slashers and, through that, explores the complicated feelings of loving a genre that doesn't reliably love you back. But that's not all. They also offer a radical tonal shift from their moody films We're All Going to the World's Fair and I Saw the TV Glow, delivering a comedy that is part horny psychosexual thriller and part campy parody. The result is a film that is rollicking in queer joy, blood spray, and irreverent humor.

Yes, it's meta, smart, and challenging genre norms. But calling Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma "elevated horror" is to miss its point.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is a story of love, sex, and perversion. Jack Haven is Little Death in "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma." Credit: MUBI

Hacks' Hannah Einbinder stars as Kris, a 29-year-old queer filmmaker whose Sundance success has earned her a shot at relaunching the long-dead Camp Miasma slasher franchise. Like with I Saw The TV Glow, Schoenbrun creates a deep wealth of lore and fandom merch to flesh out the fictional IP within this story. Where I Saw The TV Glow's central show had shades of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Camp Miasma seems a mix of Sleepaway Camp, Friday the 13th, and Twin Peaks.

The first film was a grimy, ultra-bloody slasher flick that centered on a wide-eyed Final Girl named Billy Preston, who was stalked by a harpoon-carrying killer called Little Death (I Saw the TV Glow's Jack Haven). For Kris, Billy is the key to understanding how to revive Camp Miasma, and so she travels to meet the aging scream queen (Gillian Anderson), who lives at the "haunted summer camp" where the first film was shot.

SEE ALSO: The best horror movies of 2025, and where to watch them

Red flags like this don't deter Kris, who is eager to walk in the footsteps of Little Death and his victims. But before long, Kris starts to realize that Billy isn't interested in making another movie. She's interested in Kris. Desire blooms between the two women, but inelegantly. And that's the point.

Schoenbrun recognizes how horror can be ludicrous, with kills that turn severed human necks into fountains that shoot blood 30 feet in the sky, as if we are meat sacks full of cherry soda just waiting to explode. Sex they treat as similarly silly from the moment we meet the siren that is Billy Preston.

Anderson plays the reclusive actress as Norma Desmond by way of Dolly Parton in a David Lynch movie. She slinks around the cabins with perfectly manicured, bright red nails, her hair in big, tumbling blonde curls, and her wardrobe silky robes that beg to be stroked. But then, she'll offer Kris a preposterously abundant plate of fried chicken, treating the accompanying dipping sauces as if they were oysters, ripe for vaginal allegory and campy foreplay.

While many might write Billy off as odd and flee this camp of red flags, Kris is drawn in because Billy is fearless, even in her strangeness. Through her influence, Kris not only reconsiders her Camp Miasma movie, but also her understanding of herself. Where Billy is a carnal creature who licks her fingers and speaks candidly of sex to a near stranger, Kris is shy and cerebral, far more capable of talking about "elevated horror" and transphobia in film than she is her own desires.

However, through her relationship with Billy, Kris learns to understand horror not just as her personal obsession, but also as a path to self-acceptance. How does a harpoon-wielding slasher, an avalanche of candy wrappers, and a Southern-fried recluse factor into that? Well, Camp Miasma's killer's name being "Little Death" is a pretty big clue.

We're talking orgasms.

Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder are a perfect match in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson in "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma." Credit: MUBI

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is gloriously irreverent in its approach to its influences. Schoenbrun name-drops or alludes to Sunset Boulevard, Psycho, Mulholland Drive, Bound, Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, and more. But they do so with a rebellious joy that turns a transgressive backstory into a gorgeous portrait of nonbinary beauty, and an iconic final shot into a rebellious echo of pride.

The cinematography of Eric K. Yue manages to weave together tones that go from earnestly amorous to unapologetically loony. A production design that blends a realistic camp setting with forest backdrops that are clearly painted challenges the audience to consider what is real and whether or not that matters. The music offers Psycho-reminiscent stings of strings, sultry synth keyboard, and a chaotic soundtrack that ranges from Counting Crows' "A Long December" to Sade's "No Ordinary Love," and Donna Lewis' "I Love You Always Forever."

It's a bold blend of dark inspirations and cheerful pop. Anderson and Einbinder are entrusted to make it work, and they do. Einbinder steps out of the chaotic bisexual bravado of her Hacks heroine, embracing the timid sapphic who's technically poly but low-key resents her partner's (Jasmin Savoy Brown) boyfriend Thor (Aren Buchholz). Her intellectualizing and her filmmaking are where she feels comfortable, while Anderson's Billy is bored by all that blather. Billy relishes flesh and touch, and so becomes a carnal mentor.

SEE ALSO: 'Leviticus' review: Religious trauma is a monster in this queer horror treasure

Together, their quirks make sense, building a world that others might see as bizarre, but which the queer (like a gas station attendant with a septum ring) will clock as wondrous. Like Lynch's leading ladies in Mulholland Drive or Todd Haynes' in Carol, these two actresses tug on each other, giving the film a sexual tension and emotional pull that is exhilarating. And then on top of that, they embrace the absurdity Schoenbrun has baked in, which reminds the audience earnestly that sex need not be taken so seriously. It can be silly, messy, sweet, and bloody, and it can shine a light on the most fucked-up desires of our queer little minds. And all of that can be celebrated instead of shame, with the help of a Little Death.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma explores where queerness, self-acceptance, and horror collide. But it's also a hell of a good time. Schoenbrun and their cast embrace the ghoulish delights of slasher slaughters, the titillating fun of their teen sex and death, and the radiant joy of finding pleasure in your own body. All this makes Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma a knockout, from its first kill to its final thrill.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is now in theaters nationwide.

UPDATE: Aug. 19, 2026, 10:37 a.m. EDT Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma was reviewed out of its North American premiere at Newfest. The review has been republished to toast the film's nationwide theatrical release.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is unlike any other. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Lando Norris secured an incredible title victory on the final day of last season. Now the pressure is on McLaren to defend that title against a long list of talented drivers and motivated teams. The likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton are all challenging for race wins this season. Mercedes are the team to beat this season, but Ferrari are not far behind.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

4. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

5. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

6. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

7. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

8. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

9. British Grand Prix — July 5

10. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

11. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

12. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

13. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

14. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

15. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

16. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

17. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

18. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

19. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

20. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

21. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

22. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

For the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available for free to viewers in the U.S., with live coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix from June 26–28. Fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. If you want access to the whole season, an Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple TV Prime Video Channel Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel (7-day free trial) Already an Amazon Prime member? You're in luck. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. This lets you watch select F1 races live with the Prime Video app. The subscription typically costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch select races without actually spending anything. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

SAVE $12.01: As of Aug. 21, the Victorinox Swiss Army knife is on sale for $39.98 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Victorinox Victorinox Swiss Army knife $39.98 at Amazon
$52 Save $12.02   Get Deal

A good pocket knife can come in handy in more situations than you’d expect. It's a great tool for quick fixes, small jobs, and everything in between. And right now, you can find the Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army knife on sale at Amazon. It packs 15 functions into a compact design, and now costs just $39.98.

The Victorinox Huntsman is a Swiss-made pocket knife with 15 functions built into its compact 91 mm design. Alongside a standard large and small blade, it also includes a wood saw, scissors, can and bottle openers, corkscrew, multipurpose hook, reamer, punch and sewing awl, wire stripper and two screwdrivers. And it's not just tools, it also comes with a toothpick and tweezers, with the tools enclosed in classic black ABS/Cellidor scales.

It measures just 91mm long, 26mm wide and 21mm high, and it weighs only 97 grams, so it's compact enough to carry in a pocket when you're heading off camping, with a range of tools to help you with general outdoor use and everyday tasks. And even better, it's covered by Victorinox's lifetime warranty, so you'll truly get your money's worth.

Head to Amazon now to grab this deal.

SAVE $16: As of Aug. 21, the Hoto Pocket-Size Laser is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hoto Hoto Pocket-Size Laser $29.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

Measuring up awkward spaces is exactly that — awkward. And when you’re trying to do it accurately, a tape measure isn’t always the easiest tool for the job. Meet the Hoto Pocket-Size Laser Measuring Tool.

This device is ideal for measuring jobs of all kinds, while still being small enough to stash in a drawer. And as of Aug. 21, it’s currently on sale at Amazon. Right now, you can save $16, with a new list price of $29.99.

This is a seriously compact tool, and one that's easy to carry around. It's about the size of a credit card and weighs just 0.09 pound, so it can be carried in your pocket, bag, or tool pouch, or even attached to a keychain.

Its one-button operation makes it straightforward to measure distances from 0.16 to 98 feet. A low-power OLED display shows the measurements clearly, and the USB-C rechargeable battery provides up to 1,000 measurements per charge and features automatic shut-off.

The Class 2 laser is designed for everyday indoor measuring, so it's suitable for tasks including checking furniture spacing, planning room layouts, and general decorating and DIY projects.

And it's on sale at Amazon right now. Head there now to save $16.

We're finally getting the Silo answers we've long been craving.

Last week we found out who was behind the silos' construction, and this week we learned why they were built in the first place, as well as what might be the cause of the apocalypse that first drove everyone under ground.

SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 3, episode 6 gives us a huge clue about the algorithm What does Silo Season 3, episode 8 tell us about how the world ends?

After being abducted by their own car and taken on a mystery flight and helicopter ride, episode 8 sees Daniel (Ashley Zukerman), Helen (Jessica Henwick), and Charles (Jessica Brown Findlay) sitting down for dinner with the silos' creators: billionaire Per Stensen (Colin Hanks) and Senator Thurman (Laura Innes).

Stensen explains that he currently has diggers creating 50 silos where people could one day live to repopulate the earth, in the event of an apocalypse.

"The threats we face — nuclear war, climate collapse, viral pandemic, asteroid strike, artificial intelligence, and some we haven't thought of... but the one, the one that is most dangerous, is also the reason why I'm the richest man in history: nanotechnology," he says. "But not just because it's invisible, but because I knew... I knew that an enemy government would soon realise that a nanoweapon was a hell of a lot cheaper to build than a nuclear one."

Stensen and Senator Thurman go on to reveal that Iran has already built nanoweapons and attempted to disrupt the U.S.' own research, leading the two countries into war.

What does nanotechnology have to do with Charles' mission?

Remember Charles' mission in episode 1, where her plane was engulfed in that weird, gooey cloud? Apparently the real aim of that mission was to help take out a nanofacility Iran had built in the mountains. As Charles points out, though, they never reached their target — and that's because they were only ever meant to be a decoy. The cloud that engulfed the planes was Iran's nanoweapon. While Charles' friends were dying, another unit that had tunnelled beneath the facility in secret was waiting to blow it up.

Does nanotechnology cause the apocalypse in Silo?

It's too early to say for sure, but things seem to be heading that way.

Stensen, who is very knowledgable in the area of nanotechnology, says it's what he fears the most, so much so that he's building an underground city to try and save the human population when things go south. The fact that both the U.S. and Iran already have this technology, and have successfully weaponised it in a devastating way, suggests that what he says at dinner may be correct. Perhaps this futuristic, invisible weaponry is what will finally drive people underground.

Silo Season 3 is streaming now on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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 21, 2026 Wimpy meaning

Not particularly strong.

While meaning

A word that indicates during a period of time.

Sleep meaning

A state of rest most animals require regularly.

Generation meaning

The creation of something, including ideas or energy.

Lifetime meaning

Used to describe a length of time.

Action meaning

When something is done, usually the physical manifestation of a choice.

Oxygen meaning

A critical component of the air we breath.

Comeback meaning

To overcome adverse conditions to succeed.

Showtime meaning

When a play or concert will begin.

Karate meaning

A martial art form.

Sundance meaning

Refers to a film festival held in the U.S. each year.

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.

Places meaning

Nouns used to describe locations.

Water meaning

A combination of hydrogen and oxygen that covers the majority of the planet.

Blue Moon meaning

A colloquialism that indicates rarity that is linked to a rare lunar event.

Curtain up meaning

Frequently used to describe the beginning of a play or concert.

Nutrition meaning

Related to the health value of food.

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.

The Moon is getting closer to the Full Moon now, with its illuminated portion continuing to get bigger each night. Now in its Waxing Gibbous phase, more than half of the Moon is lit up as seen from Earth.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, Aug. 21, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, with 61% of its surface visible.

Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Crisium, Serenitatis and Fecunditatis. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater, the Alps Mountains, and the Archimedes Crater. If you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots and the Rupes Altai.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

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

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've watched NFL football.

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.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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.

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

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

SEE ALSO: 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: The NFL's GOAT

• Green: Field events

• Blue: Ways to play darts

• Purple: Bill

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Associated with Tom Brady

• Green: Decathlon Events

• Blue: Dart Games

• Purple: What "Bill" Might Refer To

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 #697 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Associated with Tom Brady: 12, MICHIGAN, NEW ENGLAND, TAMPA BAY

• Decathlon Events: 400 METERS, HIGH JUMP, JAVELIN, POLE VAULT

• Dart Games: 501, BASEBALL, CRICKET, KILLER

• What "Bill" Might Refer To: BELICHICK, BUFFALO, HAT BRIM, RUSSELL

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 catalogue.

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 21, 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 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 21 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 21 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is4-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 21 Pips

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

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

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (15): Everything in this space must be greater than 15. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like to party.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Celebrate!

The words are adjectives related to a celebration.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe different types of parties

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Life's a Party.

NYT Strands word list for August 21

• Bash

• Soiree

• Banger

• Rager

• Shindig

• Festivity

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're familiar with the theater.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 17, 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: Functioning needs

• Green: Start that show

• Blue: Famous types of "kids"

• Purple: Only happens once

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.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things Most Animals Need

• Green: Calls to Begin a Performance

• Blue: ___Kids

• Purple: Once in a____

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 #1167 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things Most Animals Need: NUTRITION, OXYGEN, SLEEP, WATER

• Calls to Begin a Performance: ACTION, CURTAIN UP, PLACES, SHOWTIME

• ___Kids: COMEBACK, KARATE, SUNDANCE, WIMPY

• Once in a____: BLUE MOON, GENERATION, LIFETIME, WHILE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 13, 2026

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

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

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

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