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SHOP NOW: As of Aug. 18, the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are officially available to the general public. You can pick the noise-cancelling sleep earbuds for $229.99 at Amazon or Soundcore's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds $229.99 at Amazon
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After a summer-long Kickstarter campaign, launch day has finally arrived for the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 as of Aug. 18. The sleep earbuds distinguish themselves as one of the only options for sleep-specific earbuds with active noise cancellation (more on that below), all for the price of $229.99.

It's an investment — but it's also a good deal cheaper than the $349 Ozlo Sleepbuds (that have no ANC). Relatively speaking, the price point falls in line with Soundcore's generally budget-friendly ethos.

So how do they perform? I've spent time using them over the past two months, and for their performance and price range, they're the new standard for premium sleep earbuds. For more, you can read my full review, or check out the overview below on the Sleep A30's upgrades, how they're similar to the Sleep A20 earbuds, and where you can purchase both.

What's new with the Soundcore Sleep A30

The headline news here is the active noise cancellation, but Soundcore provided overall quality of life upgrades that boost the performance of these earbuds over the Sleep A20 (and other sleep earbuds on the market), including:

• Active noise cancellation

• Slimmer profile earbuds over the Sleep A20

• Microphones in case to monitor snoring for real-time adaptive snore masking

• Memory-foam ear tips, in addition to silicone ear tips

• New sleep, meditation, and focus audio within the app

• More detailed sleep tracking

• Built-in light in case for easy visualizing in the dark

• No-slip silicone bottom on charging case

• New mint colorway

Admittedly, I don't have to deal with too much noise at night — the biggest culprits are the AC unit and the occasional car at night — but even I noticed the difference with the ANC. The hum of the AC nearly all but disappeared (and I learned I much prefer it that way!), and I was never woken up by the sound of a car. My partner and I are both somewhat restless sleepers, and it could just be chance, but I did notice that the nights I wore the earbuds, I was much less likely to wake up due to rustling next to me.

The ear wings and tips provide plenty of options for getting the best fit possible. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As for the wear and app experience, both were noticeably improved over the A20. I primarily sleep on my slide, so the lower profile was much appreciated. I liked having the choice between the silicone and memory foam ear tips, and though I stuck to the silicone, I found it to be more comfortable (and slightly less tacky) than the A20 silicone tips. The app also felt more streamlined, looking much more reminiscent of the Ozlo Sleepbud app (which I loved).

SEE ALSO: Ozlo Sleepbuds review: Can earbuds really improve your sleep?

My biggest gripe with these earbuds (and an unfortunate difference between them and the Sleep A20) is that when streaming Bluetooth audio, there was no option to toggle the sleep detection mode off. That means if you're listening to a podcast or video, and the earbuds decide you're asleep, it'll automatically cut your audio or switch to the local snore-masking audio. Most times, the audio cut off before I was actually asleep, and the only fix I could find to restart my audio was by completely reconnecting the earbuds by placing them back in the case, then back in my ears. However, the Soundcore app did flash an update that the option to toggle off sleep mode would be coming on Aug. 20.

What stayed the same with the Sleep A30

Soundcore's Sleep A30 definitely feel like an upgrade over the A20, but didn't completely reinvent the wheel. At the end of the day, both earbuds are low-profile, comfortable-to-wear earbuds that stayed in my ears all night while dampening some degree of noise from my surroundings.

Both are far better suited to sleep than standard earbuds. They have companion apps with noise-blocking soundscapes and excellent battery life (the Sleep A20s get 14 hours per charge, to the Sleep A30s' nine hours with ANC and 6.5 hours with Bluetooth streaming), and both offer sleep data.

Considering they start at $179.99 (and can often be found on sale for cheaper), the Soundcore Sleep A20 still offer plenty of the same features, and might be more appealing if you're on a budget.

Where to buy the Soundcore Sleep A30

Overall, if you already own the Sleep A20, I wouldn't necessarily say these are a must-upgrade, but if you are looking for even better noise-blocking, they're at least worth considering. If you've never owned sleep earbuds and want ANC, these are an excellent pair, and essentially your only option. (Though these are Soundcore's first ANC sleep earbuds, the brand QuietOn also used to offer some, but it appears as though they are not selling them anymore.)

At the time of writing, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are available to purchase at Amazon and Soundcore's website.

Where to buy the Soundcore Sleep A30 Amazon Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 $229.99 Shop Now Soundcore Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 $229.99 Shop Now Previous generation Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 $179.99 Shop Now

In an era of hidden subscriptions, premium upgrades, and microtransactions, it's difficult to come across functional apps that have no hidden fees or subscription tiers.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 21, the Sony 65-Inch 4K BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV is on sale for $698 at Amazon. That's 13% off its list price of $799.99.

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$799.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

As cooler weather starts to roll in, it's always nice to have a TV that's primed and ready to stream new shows and movies. If an upgrade has been on your to-do list, there's no better time than now to look around with some great deals available on top retailers. One of our favorites that has crossed our radar recently is this discount on the Sony 65-Inch 4K BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV at Amazon.

The Sony 65-Inch 4K BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV is usually listed for $799.99, but right now you can score it for $698. This deal saves you $101.99 on list price. It's currently marked as a limited-time deal,, so you'll want to act fast to pick it up at this low price. You've been warned.

SEE ALSO: Record-low price alert: The 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is $350 off at Amazon

This Sony BRAVIA 3 TV features an LED display with 4K resolution so movies, shows, and games will look crisp and clear. It also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound that elevates images and sounds on screen so you can feel even more immersed in what you're watching. And if you're a gamer, specifically on PS5, this Sony TV offers Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode that optimizes picture quality. On top of that, it's a smart TV that can bring all of your favorite streaming apps together.

This limited-time deal won't last long. Don't miss out on the Sony 65-Inch 4K BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV down to $698. And if you want to go big with an even larger TV, you can also score an excellent discount right now on the 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED TV at Amazon.

Meta is bringing its AI voice translation tool to Instagram Reels, meaning you could soon see people in your feed appearing to speak a different language to what they recorded the video with.

Announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Wednesday, the Llama 4-powered Meta AI feature that provides live, lip-synched translations, will be added to all public Instagram accounts, as well as Facebook. It's not clear exactly when this will go live, but when it does, the only language available will be Spanish to English and vice versa, with more languages to come.

"We believe there are lots of amazing creatives out there who have potential audiences who don't necessarily speak the same language," Mosseri said in a Threads video. "If we can help you reach those audiences who speak other languages, reach across cultural and linguistic barriers, we can help you grow your following and get more value out of Instagram in the platform."

SEE ALSO: Google brings live translation for phone calls and tons more AI to Pixel 10 series

In the video, Mosseri includes the AI-translated version of his video announcement, and the results are undeniably wild. The Instagram head's voice and mouth appear in synch with the Spanish translation, and honestly, if this video landed in my feed, I'd probably assume Mosseri had recorded it in Spanish.

Meta announced its AI live translation tool in September 2024, powered by the company's Large Language Model (LLM) Llama. In a blog post last year, Meta said it had been testing "translating some creators' videos from Latin America and the U.S. in English and Spanish."

Live AI language translation isn't unique to Meta, with competitors Google Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and myriad multilingual translation companies providing such tools. Google Pixel 10's new Voice Translate feature, announced yesterday, live-translates phone calls with matched voices. Apple's iOS 26 real-time translation tools will be ones to contend with.

Featured Video For You How 6 generations of iPhone captured 20 years of motherhood in 'Motherboard'

TikTok's translation tools, for a social media comparison, are largely text based for captions, with some users using third-party apps to translate TikTok Lives.

However, seeing live AI translation in an Instagram Reel feels a little jarring to many users. In the comments of Mosseri's video, people have raised concerns over Meta's AI tool, including the pitfalls of potential mistranslation and suggesting that AI subtitles could be a better move.

"As a person who Spanish is her mother tongue, I must say this sounds and looks creepy. AI subtitles are more than enough," wrote @singlutenismo.

"AI subtitles would be great, but automatically altering and reprocessing human voices is as questionable as altering and reprocessing their skin color," wrote @cuernomalo.

"It’s kind of disconcerting because how do I know the translation is accurate or the way I phrase things is appropriate for that culture and language," wrote @drinksbywild. "I do a lot of recipe content so I don’t want somebody to make my recipe incorrectly because of a bad translation."

Mashable has reached out to Meta for further information, and we'll update this story if we hear back.

Hollow Knight: Silksong may finally launch soon, with developers Team Cherry set to make a special announcement this Thursday. It's been over half a decade of waiting, but we might finally be close to the end.

Team Cherry will hold a YouTube livestream concerning Hollow Knight: Silksong in less than a day, sharing the news in their first social media posts since 2019. The livestream will kick off Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT.

In the independent Australian studio's typical style, Team Cherry haven't divulged much regarding what to expect from the livestream. Even so, the mere statement that they have a "special announcement about Hollow Knight: Silksong" has been more than enough to work fans into a frenzy. 

Since Team Cherry first announced Silksong in Feb. 2019, waiting for the game has become a meme unto itself. Fans have characterised themselves as clowns for continuing to wait in the absence of any updates, as well as constantly getting excited then disappointed by rumours of news. Many have joked that Silksong will never actually arrive.

Now it seems that their faith may soon be rewarded, allowing Hollow Knight fans to finally ditch their curly rainbow wigs.

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Developed by independent Australian studio Team Cherry, Hollow Knight: Silksong is the highly anticipated follow up to the critically and commercially lauded action game Hollow Knight. In Hollow Knight, players controlled an insect-like fighter travelling through an underground kingdom, learning what led to its downfall.

The tiny studio's first and only game, Hollow Knight received widespread acclaim after its release in 2017. Its tight combat, deep lore, and challenging difficulty earned it significant praise as well as a dedicated following. Over one million users are subscribed to the r/HollowKnight subreddit, with millions of copies of the game sold.

Fortunately, it seems Team Cherry will be delivering more of that goodness. Hollow Knight: Silksong will feature similar gameplay to its predecessor, bringing back the 2D platforming and combat players loved. However, the sequel will now follow Hornet, a character from the first game, as she fights her way through a new kingdom. 

Further details about Hollow Knight: Silksong have been sparse, with fans clinging to and theorising about every scrap of information they can. One of the most highly anticipated games in development, Silksong is currently the top most wishlisted title on Steam according to SteamDB, beating out big studios titles such as Borderlands 4, Battlefield 6, and Resident Evil Requiem.

With expectations so high, it's unsurprising that Team Cherry took their time to ensure Hollow Knight: Silksong is up to their standards. Fortunately, it seems the wait may soon be over.

I’m not very good at remembering what’s on my to-do list. I’ve tried everything from writing things down on paper to shouting reminders at my smart speaker, but nothing ever seems to stick. However, making one important concession has helped a lot.

SAVE OVER $800: As of Aug. 21, the 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED 4K Smart TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 98-Inch Class QD5 Series QLED 4K UHD TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,298 Save $800.01 Get Deal

Looking to grab a new TV to catch all of the new shows and movies popping up on streaming services? There are plenty of great deals to check out at the moment, but if you're hoping to go big with a massive model to turn your living room into a mini movie theater, this discount on the 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED 4K Smart TV is worth a look.

The 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED 4K Smart TV is normally listed for $2,298, but it's currently on sale for $1,497.99. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price, so there's no better time to grab it and save.

SEE ALSO: Samsung is giving away a free 65-inch TV right now — here's how to get yours

Alongside its huge 98-inch size that'll help you feel fully absorbed in what you're watching, this Hisense QD5 QLED 4K Smart TV also offers excellent picture and sound quality. It boasts a QLED display with 4K resolution that'll make images on your screen pop with vibrant color and detail. Pair that with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound which help to really immerse you in the visuals and sounds of what you're watching. And since it's a smart TV, you can have all of your favorite streaming apps in one place to browse through.

Whether you want it for your next movie night, binge-watching TV shows, or gaming, this 98-inch Hisense QD5 QLED 4K Smart TV is a worthy pickup, especially back at its lowest-ever price. However, if you're hoping to get a slightly smaller option instead, you can also score a great deal on the 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV at Amazon right now.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 20, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 20, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 21

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

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this blue space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 21

Not Equal: Every domino half in this space be different. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): The domino halves in this green space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 21

Equal (5): The domino halves in this space must be 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): The domino halves in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): The domino halves in this space must be 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): The domino halves in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (3): The domino halves in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, 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.

Little by little, the moon is becoming less visible. Which can only mean one thing: we're getting closer to the new moon. The new moon is a part of the lunar cycle, which is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 21.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 21, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and only 3% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

We're on day 28 of the lunar cycle, and there's really not a whole lot for us to see tonight. The only thing visible is the Grimaldi Basin, and you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see it. The Grimaldi Basin is an impact basin with an outer wall that is almost as long as the Grand Canyon, according to NASA.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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.

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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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 Mini crossword answers, hints for August 21, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Purpose

• Green: Short versions

• Blue: Court locations

• Purple: Words with hidden hockey words in them

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Objective

• Green: NFL team abbreviations

• Blue: NBA arenas ending with "Center"

• Purple: Ends with an NHL 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 #332 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Objective - AIM, GOAL, MARK, TARGET

• NFL team abbreviations - CHI, MIA, MIN, NO

• NBA areans ending with "center" - AMERICAN AIRLINES, BARCLAYS, DELTA, KIA

• Ends with an NHL team - GEODUCKS, SPOILERS, SUPERSTARS, VIKINGS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 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: An error

• Green: Made-up places

• Blue: They have sensory attachments

• Purple: Rounded things

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Blunder

• Green: Lands of the imagination

• Blue: Things with antenna/e

• Purple: ___ Doodle

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 #803 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Blunder: BOO-BOO, FLUB, GAFFE, NO-NO

• Lands of the imagination: DREAM, FANTASY, LA-LA, NEVER NEVER

• Things with antenna/e: INSECT, RADIO TOWER, SATELLITE DISH, TELETUBBY

• ___ Doodle: CHEESE, DIPSY, GOOGLE, YANKEE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Marvel-ous and then some

The words are comic-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are names of common comic characters.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Superheroes.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 21

• Storm

• Rogue

• Hulk

• Thing

• Superheroes

• Wolverine

• Daredevil

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 today's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To eulogize.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

EXTOL.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Despite some glowing lights, the Tribit StormBox Mini+ isn’t meant to be the life of any party. What it can do is accompany most journeys, play tunes in the bathroom, or be handed to any kid.

Since its launch, ESPN+ has raised a considerable number of questions and concerns from subscribers. The most prominent: Why doesn't it offer live streams of ESPN broadcasts? As a frustrated subscriber myself, I am pleased to hear that these concerns have finally been addressed. As of Aug. 21, ESPN's new and improved direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service has officially arrived.

Revamped to give fans more options and flexibility, ESPN DTC will now offer two separate plans: ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select. The ESPN app itself is also getting a facelift, introducing a more personalized and dynamic viewing experience for sports fans.

The launch is timed perfectly with the start of the NFL season (go figure), as well as college football, US Open tennis, international soccer, women's college soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and more. It also launches the same day as Fox's first-ever streaming service, Fox One. Here's what you need to know.

What is the new ESPN streaming service?

Previously, in order to stream ESPN's traditional TV networks and their broadcasts, you needed a television subscription through either a cable, satellite, or digital provider. ESPN+ did not allow you to watch live NFL games on ESPN's Monday Night Football, for instance. The revamped ESPN is going to change that.

The ESPN DTC streaming service brings the full suite of ESPN networks and services to sports fans in one subscription. This includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network — in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. Plus, thanks to a recent acquisition deal, it will reportedly also include NFL Network and RedZone. It will cover 47,000 live events each year, plus offer on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, and more. In other words, you'll finally be able to stream games from ESPN and ABC live without cable or a cable alternative.

This all-encompassing subscription will be dubbed ESPN Unlimited, while a more pared-down option will be called ESPN Select. The Select tier is basically just ESPN+, rebranded as a more affordable option to the new direct-to-consumer streaming service. It covers over 32,000 live sports events each year, plus offers a library of exclusive shows, on-demand replays, and original content. Current ESPN+ subscribers will automatically become ESPN Select subscribers when the new app launches on Aug. 21.

How much will it cost?

The ESPN Unlimited plan will cost $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year (about 17% in savings if you pay upfront), while the ESPN Select plan will remain the same as ESPN+ at $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (also 17% in savings).

As a welcome gift, ESPN is offering the Unlimited plan bundled with Disney+ and Hulu (both with ads) for $29.99 per month for your first year. That's the same price as a standalone subscription to ESPN Unlimited, essentially giving you Hulu and Disney+ for free. The discounted bundle is only open to new and eligible returning subscribers through Jan. 5, 2026. After 12 months, it will revert to full cost, which is $35.99 per month with ads and $44.99 per month without.

There will also be a new ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle (which both launch on Aug. 21) available for $39.99 per month. Typically $49.98 per month for both, you'll save about $10 monthly by bundling them together. This bundle launches Oct. 2, so keep an eye out for the ultimate sports package.

A look at ESPN's plans. Credit: ESPN How to sign up

Starting on Aug. 21, you can head over to stream.ESPN.com or navigate to the ESPN app to sign up for ESPN's new Unlimited plan or bundle plan. If you're already an ESPN+ subscriber, you'll automatically become an ESPN Select subscriber. Likewise, if you're an existing Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle subscriber. You'll automatically become a subscriber to the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Select bundle.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited plan Starting at $29.99/month Learn More

BOGO SAMSUNG TVS: Until Sept. 7, Samsung is offering a "buy one, get one free" TV deal. When you buy a Super Big Samsung TV, you’ll get a 65-inch Class UHD TV for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung BOGO on Samsung TVs Shop Now

There aren't many deals that get the people going like a "buy one, get one free" promotion. And then when that deal includes Samsung TVs, it's time to shut up shop for the day. We haven't seen something this huge before (literally), so you just know that shoppers are at least going to take a look. If not just to dream.

Until Sept. 7, Samsung is offering a "buy one, get one free" deal on some absolutely massive TVs. When you buy a Super Big Samsung TV, you’ll get a 65-inch Crystal UHD U8000F for free. What's a Super Big Samsung TV? We're talking about TVs of 98 inches or more.

SEE ALSO: Record-low price alert: The 55-inch TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is $350 off at Amazon

To qualify for this bonkers BOGO deal, you'll need to purchase one of the following models:

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 8K (QN990F)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN90F)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN90D)

• Samsung 98-inch Class Neo QLED 8K (QN990C)

• Samsung 100-inch Class Neo QLED 4K (QN80F)

To secure this deal, you'll need to add both the Crystal UHD U8000F and qualifying TV to your cart. Samsung will then automatically apply the discount at the checkout. Interested? You might need to act fast as stock already looks limited.

We totally get that this deal won't appeal to everyone. The qualifying TVs are not exactly cheap, but if you're already in the market for something massive, you might as well double up for no extra expense.

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

The world of porn has been rocked by age-verification laws, requiring individuals to provide proof of age in order to access adult content.

Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations, and now the same situation is taking place in France.

On July 25, the UK's age-verification law also came into effect. Pornhub is complying with the UK's law, but age-verification laws still raise serious privacy concerns. The hope is that minors don't access the content, but the prospect of handing over information to third-party systems and not knowing how these companies are handling or storing that data is naturally concerning to potential adult users. For these individuals, there is a workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from the UK, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in the UK

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

Apple has released a security update for iOS and iPadOS, and you should take notice.

The company's new iOS 18.6.2 and iPadOS 18.6.2 software release both address a vulnerability that can result in memory corruption when the device processes a malicious image file.

SEE ALSO: Google announces Pixelsnap magnetic charging accessories, its answer to Apple MagSafe

The company says that the issue "may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals."

This means most users shouldn't be panicking as they're unlikely to get targeted. But whenever a vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild, it's time to update as soon as possible.

Apple says that the affected devices are iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

Apple also released an update to macOS Sequoia, bringing it to version 15.6.1. The release notes for this version merely say that the "update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users."

FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Amazon is offering a $200 Amazon gift card when you preorder the brand-new Google Pixel 10 Pro. This offer only lasts until Sept. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 Pro + $200 Amazon Gift Card Get Deal

The brand new Google Pixel 10 Pro has been announced, and Amazon is offering an excellent treat for those interested in preordering. Right now, shoppers looking to pick up the new smartphone can get a $200 Amazon gift card alongside their preorder.

This gift card can be put towards a wide variety of items on Amazon's website, which is a great bonus if you were already looking to invest in this new smartphone. The Pixel 10 Pro is set to be released on Aug. 28, so you won't have to wait too much longer to have it in your hands. This offer lasts a few days beyond the Pixel 10 Pro's release date (Sept. 4), so you have plenty of time to take advantage of this promotion.

SEE ALSO: Google brings live translation for phone calls and tons more AI to Pixel 10 series

Announced at this year's Made by Google event, the Pixel 10 Pro has plenty to offer. It comes in four colors — obsidian, porcelain, moonstone, and jade — and boasts a 6.3-inch Super Actua display. It also features an excellent camera system that offers 100x Pro Res Zoom, 50 MP images, and can even capture videos in up to 8K. There's plenty more to explore with this new model, most of which you can learn about in our breakdown of the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL.

This offer only lasts until Sept. 4, so don't miss out on your chance to get a $200 Amazon gift card when you preorder the new Google Pixel 10 Pro at Amazon. If you're curious what else Google is planning on dropping, check out our breakdown of everything announced at Made by Google.

SAVE $60.99: As of Aug. 21, you can snag the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for just $209 at Amazon — that’s down from its usual $269.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus $209 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $60.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing up a tablet that can handle work, play, and a bit of everything in between, Samsung has you sorted.

As of Aug. 21, the 2024 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is selling on Amazon for just $209 — a healthy $60.99 off its standard $269.99 price. That’s a 23% discount on one of Samsung’s most versatile mid-range tablets, and its lowest price since June according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

With its generous 11-inch screen and smooth 90Hz refresh rate, the Tab A9+ is designed to keep everyone entertained, whether you’re binging Netflix, gaming with friends, or letting the kids enjoy a few episodes of their favourite show. The promise of the Dolby Atmos-powered quad speakers means you won’t just see the action either; you’ll also feel it, thanks to immersive, cinema-like audio.

SEE ALSO: How to choose the best tablet

Under the hood, Samsung has packed in an upgraded chipset that aims to give you the speed and responsiveness you’d expect from a modern Android device. Coupled with 128GB of onboard storage (plus microSD support if you want to expand), there’s plenty of room for your apps, downloads, and photos. Multi Window support makes multitasking easier too, letting you check email, browse the web, and take notes all at once without breaking stride.

Parents will also appreciate the inclusion of Samsung Kids, a safe, colourful environment filled with educational games and activities. It’s a way to keep younger family members entertained without compromising peace of mind.

All of this comes in a slim, lightweight frame that seems easy to carry around, yet sturdy enough to handle everyday knocks. And when it’s time to share files, Quick Share makes moving photos and videos between devices a breeze — whether you’re on Android or iOS.

At just over $200, the Galaxy Tab A9+ hits a sweet spot between affordability and performance.

If you're curious about Apple, there's also our best Apple deals of the week, including MacBooks starting at just $799.