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Let me guess: you want to explore kink-based fun, but you're new to the fet-world and just don't know where to start. Well, the first thing to do is find an appropriate app, a platform that's kink-friendly and packed with like-minded folk who want to let the freak flag fly. Experienced kinksters will know all too well that regular dating apps don't always cut it. So, how do you find your people?

Perhaps you have a foot fetish, or you're into spanking or BDSM. Maybe you have no idea what you might be into, but want to find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your options and go on a journey of sexual self-discovery. 

As always, the internet has an answer, with at least two platforms we recommend for exploring all those kinks and much more: AdultFriendFinder and FetLife. All it takes is just a few minutes on either of those sites. You'll know instantly that you're in the right place. There's an abundance of NSFW content, plus even more spice to discover once you start using the search functions and looking for connections.

Something else AdultFriendFinder and FetLife have in common is user demographics. Both skew male, which is standard across the whole online dating world. One notable difference, though, is age. The average user on FetLife is 25, and AdultFriendFinder users tend to be in their 30s. That being said, both sites feature a diverse range of genders, sexual orientations, ages, and kink communities. In other words, there's something for everyone.

But while both sites are designed to accommodate sex-positive communities, they each have their own ways of working and bringing kind-lovers together. You may find that one of these sites suits you better than the other, though we recommend looking at both.

Keep reading for a rundown of the major differences in how AFF and FetLife cater to kinksters.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: FetLife FetLife   Learn More Where AdultFriendFinder excelsFaster connections

FetLife is great and very popular, but it also takes time to build a following, earn credibility, and be taken seriously on the site. In fact, while you can message strangers, the site's culture discourages it, and unsolicited messages are often ignored. On AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, the opposite rule reigns. In fact, it's much more like a traditional dating site, in the sense that connecting with strangers online is closer to the site's purpose, whereas FetLife is more of a social media website for building local kink communities. 

In addition to the one-on-one aspect, AdultFriendFinder hosts live webcam shows and community discussion forums, offering users multiple ways to connect quickly.  

Better site interface

This one might be controversial, since the AFF site is notoriously dated, but FetLife's interface is downright confusing, a mix between Facebook and Instagram, with much more limited search functionality. While both sites will allow you to search by specific kinks (and both sites offer exhaustive lists of kink options), the search functionality and filter options on AdultFriendFinder are more comprehensive and more user-friendly.

This isn't an accident, by the way. FetLife deliberately disables search by age, gender, and sexual orientation because, in their words, they are "a social network and not a dating site."

Live shows

FetLife allows users to host videos, but it doesn't have a dedicated, live webcam service. Some users do offer that, of course, but they do so on third-party sites, and usually behind a paywall. AFF, on the other hand, makes live streaming a significant part of its community experience and allows you to search through webcam shows by the streamer's location or the show's interest/topic, which often revolves around a specific kink. 

SEE ALSO: 4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr

In other words, if you're content to watch, AFF delivers some excellent, kink-centric live action, and much of it is accessible without upgrading to a paid subscription.

Where FetLife excelsFree accounts have more freedom

The most noticeable difference between FetLife and AFF is how much more freedom is afforded to non-paying accounts. On AdultFriendFinder, profiles are locked behind a paywall, so only paying members can read bios, scroll through photos, or see a comprehensive list of kinks. FetLife, on the other hand, operates more like Instagram for kinksters, delivering large photos, comprehensive bios, and even a web of connections comparable to what you might see on Facebook, from friends and romantic partners to subs, doms, and mentors, if applicable. 

Even more important, free FetLife users can contact each other in one-on-one messages without having to give up their credit card information, which definitely makes it easier to establish a personal connection.

One major limitation of free accounts is that they're prevented from watching videos. Because raunchy videos are a mainstay of many profiles, this is definitely a hindrance, though not an especially annoying one. 

The site promotes in-person events

Perhaps the biggest benefit of FetLife over AdultFriendFinder is that the former is much more focused on real-life connections, whereas AdultFriendFinder seems content to let people play in the virtual world. 

The Events tab at the top of the FetLife banner allows you to see, at a glance, all of the nearby, kink-friendly events, from informal meet-and-greets to full-on costume and masquerade balls. Best of all, you can filter by sub-type (Party, Educational, Social, Conference/Festival, Sex Party) or just look for events that your FetLife friends are attending.

SEE ALSO: Hinge's latest feature makes date planning a little easier

These in-person events are such an important part of the FetLife experience, even when they're not officially affiliated with the website, that they should be considered integral to the site itself. In fact, it's pretty common to see people indicate, in their profiles, that they won't message or "friend" anyone that they haven't already met at an IRL event. 

Kink discovery

Because of its community emphasis and dedication to exploring sexuality in a safe, consensual and informed way, FetLife offers users not only the means to connect with others but also to better connect with themselves. There's the community-sourced Kinktionary, for example, a Wiki-like resource covering topical aspects of human sexuality from the ins and outs of gay culture to a comprehensive list of sex toys and their uses, as well as dedicated groups to not only explore kinks but also introduce people to the BDSM lifestyle (we recommend you check out the Novices & Newbies section if you're a first-time visitor). 

AdultFriendFinder isn't totally without these resources, but they're not as user-friendly or as accessible to total newcomers to the world of kink.

The bottom line

Both AFF and FetLife are premier destinations for internet kinksters, and you can't really go wrong with either. Both sites have large user bases, comprehensive kink-focused spaces, and a non-judgmental atmosphere that makes it easy to let loose.

That said, if you're looking for the fastest possible connection or are content to confine your kink to the digital world for the time being, AdultFriendFinder does a better job of connecting people quickly. If, on the other hand, you want to integrate into your local kink community and maybe discover the underground nightclubs and VIP parties reserved only for the naughtiest of the naughty, FetLife will do right by you.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 4, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a good deal on a pair of headphones, you can't skip this latest Amazon discount on the Beats Solo 4.

These headphones regularly go on sale, but they rarely drop to $99.95. Not only is that a 50% discount and a saving of $100, but this is also the lowest-ever price for this model. However, there is a small catch. The only colorway available at this price is metallic pink. Other colors, including matte black and slate blue, are also on sale, but for the slightly higher cost of $129.95.

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!

But for under $100, you truly can't go wrong with these headphones. They have a custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers designed to deliver that powerful Beats sound. They also benefit from Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.

They have an ultralight ergonomic design too, with a flex-grip headband and adjustable, angled ear cups for a secure fit. They're comfortable for all-day use, thanks to their UltraPlush ear cushions.

For battery life, expect up to 50 hours of use, with Fast Fuel delivering up to five hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge. That's ideal for when you're heading out the door in a rush.

Ready to upgrade to great sound? These Beats headphones are available on sale at Amazon right now.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 4, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a good deal on a pair of headphones, you can't skip this latest Amazon discount on the Beats Solo 4.

These headphones regularly go on sale, but they rarely drop to $99.95. Not only is that a 50% discount and a saving of $100, but this is also the lowest-ever price for this model. However, there is a small catch. The only colorway available at this price is metallic pink. Other colors, including matte black and slate blue, are also on sale, but for the slightly higher cost of $129.95.

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!

But for under $100, you truly can't go wrong with these headphones. They have a custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers designed to deliver that powerful Beats sound. They also benefit from Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.

They have an ultralight ergonomic design too, with a flex-grip headband and adjustable, angled ear cups for a secure fit. They're comfortable for all-day use, thanks to their UltraPlush ear cushions.

For battery life, expect up to 50 hours of use, with Fast Fuel delivering up to five hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge. That's ideal for when you're heading out the door in a rush.

Ready to upgrade to great sound? These Beats headphones are available on sale at Amazon right now.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 4, the Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED is on sale for $1,049.99. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Big-screen TVs don't have to come with a big price tag.

Amazon's Ember range combines QLED picture quality with the Fire TV experience and built-in Alexa voice controls, so you can access streaming apps, smart home features, and more with ease. And right now, you can save on the massive Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED. As of Aug. 4, the list price has dropped from $1,999.99 to $1,049.99, saving you $150.

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!

This TV runs on the redesigned 2026 Fire TV experience, which gives you a brand-new interface with content categories, the ability to pin your most-used apps, and personalized recommendations from Alexa+. The TV also supports cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass without a console, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

For the visuals, it benefits from a 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and full-array local dimming, so everything you watch is incredible quality. And thanks to its WiFi 6 support and the new quad-core processor, apps and streaming move fast and without buffering.

Plus, this TV also includes Amazon's new Omnisense technology. This means the TV uses built-in sensors to wake the display when someone enters the room, displaying artwork of your choice or resuming whatever you've been watching.

This TV deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 4, the Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED is on sale for $1,049.99. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Big-screen TVs don't have to come with a big price tag.

Amazon's Ember range combines QLED picture quality with the Fire TV experience and built-in Alexa voice controls, so you can access streaming apps, smart home features, and more with ease. And right now, you can save on the massive Amazon Ember 75-inch QLED. As of Aug. 4, the list price has dropped from $1,999.99 to $1,049.99, saving you $150.

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!

This TV runs on the redesigned 2026 Fire TV experience, which gives you a brand-new interface with content categories, the ability to pin your most-used apps, and personalized recommendations from Alexa+. The TV also supports cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass without a console, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

For the visuals, it benefits from a 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and full-array local dimming, so everything you watch is incredible quality. And thanks to its WiFi 6 support and the new quad-core processor, apps and streaming move fast and without buffering.

Plus, this TV also includes Amazon's new Omnisense technology. This means the TV uses built-in sensors to wake the display when someone enters the room, displaying artwork of your choice or resuming whatever you've been watching.

This TV deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

Snap held its Q2 2026 earnings call on Monday, with CEO Evan Spiegel speaking about the company's hopes and the public's response to its upcoming Specs AR glasses. 

Currently available for pre-order, Snap's Specs are scheduled to launch on Sept. 16 and will set buyers back the formidable sum of $2,195. It's an intimidating price tag which may scare off some consumers. Still, Spiegel believes Specs are the future of Snap. The company has invested significantly in the AR glasses, which have been in development for over 10 years, and sees Specs as an important milestone.

SEE ALSO: All about the Specs AR glasses, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel

"Our largest long-term opportunity is Specs, a new kind of computer built into see-through glasses," Spiegel said early in Monday's earnings call. "Specs are designed for a future in which AI does more work on our behalf and people spend less time operating screens."

Despite this vision, it's unclear whether public anticipation for Specs' release is meeting Snap's expectations. When asked about pre-order volumes, Spiegel claimed there has been "a huge amount of interest" in the AR glasses since they were announced in June. Even so, he did not offer any exact numbers, leaving it ambiguous as to whether such interest has materially translated into pre-orders.

"What we're hearing from folks is really that they want to try Specs," said Spiegel. "It's obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195." 

Featured Video For You Gen Z men are becoming more religious online

Spiegel noted that developers understood the "technical leaps" Snap has made with Specs. However, when it came to the general public's response, he focused on the importance of people getting to try the AR glasses after their September launch.

"I think for the broader public and consumers, it's going to be really important for folks to go hands-on," Spiegel continued. "I think Sept. 16 at our upcoming launch event will be an important starting point for that consumer-oriented journey. Certainly, a lot of exciting momentum around Spectacles and we're really looking forward to getting these in folks' hands so that they can experience the platform for themselves."

This may suggest that pre-order numbers haven't yet reached the volume Snap had been hoping for. Even so, the company is confidently backing Specs as the next big revolutionary product, and trusting that it will prove itself at launch. Spiegel stated that there is a significant opportunity to create the "next computing platform," referencing the introduction of desktop computers to office jobs.

Snap CFO Doug Hott also spoke about Specs during the earnings call, stating that the company is currently focused on product quality, customer experience, and ecosystem.

"I think looking forward on Sept. 16, we'll be sharing a lot more about all the different ways people can use Specs, how they fit into people's lives, and we're just really excited to get Specs into folks' hands later this year," said Hott.

Snap announced $1.6 billion in revenue this quarter — a 19 percent increase year over year, which was above expectations. Even so, the company still operated at a net loss of $164 million in Q2. Snap laid off 16 percent of its workforce earlier this year, with Spiegel stating that it aimed to lower its annual costs by $500 million before the year's end.

Snap held its Q2 2026 earnings call on Monday, with CEO Evan Spiegel speaking about the company's hopes and the public's response to its upcoming Specs AR glasses. 

Currently available for pre-order, Snap's Specs are scheduled to launch on Sept. 16 and will set buyers back the formidable sum of $2,195. It's an intimidating price tag which may scare off some consumers. Still, Spiegel believes Specs are the future of Snap. The company has invested significantly in the AR glasses, which have been in development for over 10 years, and sees Specs as an important milestone.

"Our largest long-term opportunity is Specs, a new kind of computer built into see-through glasses," Spiegel said early in Monday's earnings call. "Specs are designed for a future in which AI does more work on our behalf and people spend less time operating screens."

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Despite this vision, it's unclear whether public anticipation for Specs' release is meeting Snap's expectations. When asked about pre-order volumes, Spiegel claimed there has been "a huge amount of interest" in the AR glasses since they were announced in June. Even so, he did not offer any exact numbers, leaving it ambiguous as to whether such interest has materially translated into pre-orders.

"What we're hearing from folks is really that they want to try Specs," said Spiegel. "It's obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195." 

SEE ALSO: All about the Specs AR glasses, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel

Spiegel noted that developers understood the "technical leaps" Snap has made with Specs. However, when it came to the general public's response, he focused on the importance of people getting to try the AR glasses after their September launch.

"I think for the broader public and consumers, it's going to be really important for folks to go hands-on," Spiegel continued. "I think Sept. 16 at our upcoming launch event will be an important starting point for that consumer-oriented journey. Certainly, a lot of exciting momentum around Spectacles and we're really looking forward to getting these in folks' hands so that they can experience the platform for themselves."

This may suggest that pre-order numbers haven't yet reached the volume Snap had been hoping for. Even so, the company is confidently backing Specs as the next big revolutionary product, and trusting that it will prove itself at launch. Spiegel stated that there is a significant opportunity to create the "next computing platform," referencing the introduction of desktop computers to office jobs.

Snap CFO Doug Hott also spoke about Specs during the earnings call, stating that the company is currently focused on product quality, customer experience, and ecosystem.

"I think looking forward on Sept. 16, we'll be sharing a lot more about all the different ways people can use Specs, how they fit into people's lives, and we're just really excited to get Specs into folks' hands later this year," said Hott.

Snap announced $1.6 billion in revenue this quarter — a 19 percent increase year over year, which was above expectations. Even so, the company still operated at a net loss of $164 million in Q2. Snap laid off 16 percent of its workforce earlier this year, with Spiegel stating that it aimed to lower its annual costs by $500 million before the year's end.

Featured Video For You Gen Z men are becoming more religious online

TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV. 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 compete at the top end of the standings again? 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.

TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV. 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 compete at the top end of the standings again? 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched hockey or baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: Pitching staff

• Green: Midwest mascots

• Blue: Incomplete NHL team

• Purple: Black and Gold

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Baseball Pitching Roles

• Green: Big Ten Teams

• Blue: Second Words in NHL Team Names

• Purple: Pittsburgh Steelers

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 #680 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Baseball Pitching Roles: ACE, CLOSER, OPENER, SETUP

• Big Ten Teams: BADGERS, DUCKS, GOLDEN GOPHERS, HUSKIES

• Second Words in NHL Team Names: JACKETS, KNIGHTS, LEAFS, WINGS

• Pittsburgh Steelers: HIGHSMITH, METCALF, QUEEN, WATT

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 the latest 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 4, 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 4, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 4 Pips

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Game Freak’s enduring legacy is being the developer of the Pokémon franchise alongside Nintendo. While that certainly has its perks like keeping the office lights on, it shouldn’t be surprising that Game Freak wants to branch out. It’s been done so over the years with smaller games like Giga Wrecker Alt, Little Town Hero, and Tembo the Badass Elephant.

Now, Game Freak is back with the action-adventure game Beast of Reincarnation. It’s the studio’s biggest game yet, but is it big enough to step out from Pokémon’s massive shadow?

The combat is sublime, along with its breathtaking art direction and intriguing open-world zones. However, Beast of Reincarnation is muzzled by its confusing story pacing and dull cast of characters.

Not Nier enough Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

Beast of Reincarnation follows a young girl named Emma as she travels through a post-apocalyptic Japan to stop the titular monster from rising again and spreading a corruption called Blight. Much like Stellar Blade, Beast of Reincarnation attempts to emulate the profound themes of existentialism, artificial intelligence, sentience, and humanity found in the excellent Nier: Automata. But they fail to understand what made Yoko Taro’s masterpiece so compelling: the characters.

Emma isn’t exactly a riveting character up until the last few moments of the story. At that point, there’s a giant exposition dump explaining about how the world came to be. Characters that you met halfway through the story suddenly come back towards the end, and they somehow have some crucial involvement. The jarring pacing doesn’t really allow for much personal development of the side characters, let alone Emma’s.

It also doesn’t help that the English voice acting isn’t the best. It’s understandable that Emma is supposed to be an emotionless individual, given that she was an outcast due to her sickness. But Emma, and the rest of the cast, for that matter, sound incredibly bored throughout the entire journey. How can I get immersed if the characters themselves sound like they don’t even want to be there?

The subtitles are also astronomically tiny, with no options to make them bigger. This made it harder to follow the story, especially if you chose the Japanese voice acting instead.

A beautiful apocalypse Credit: Game Freak

Despite the underwhelming story, I enjoyed my time traveling through post-apocalyptic Japan in between cutscenes. While Beast of Reincarnation isn’t a true open-world, there’s plenty of places to explore. There are 12 distinct zones that you can travel between, with different environments showing off rustic forests, giant craters, and flooded dilapidated city ruins.

But what impressed me more was Beast of Reincarnation’s verticality. Since Emma is immune to the Blight, she’s able to manifest her plant-like powers through her hair to reach towering heights. I had a lot of fun scaling tall structures and creating ledges over the top of enemies so I could take them out unaware, Assassin’s Creed-style.

Emma’s canine companion, Koo, can also sniff out items and collectibles as they pass by, marking them. While some players might see this as cheapening the exploration, I found it to be really convenient and respectful of my time. In particular, I appreciated Koo’s sleuthing when it came to finding Dragon Shrines all across the different maps. When you accumulate enough, Emma is rewarded with extra stims to heal herself during battle.

Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

The game’s visuals are gorgeous, too. The realistic art direction is a departure from the cartoony and cute creatures we’ve seen Game Freak create for Pokémon. Sure, humanity has died out, but the hostile golems and blight-inflicted malefacts consisting of giant bears, birds, and deer still make the world feel lively. The emphasis on plant life also makes the environments feel hopeful, like a Studio Ghibli movie, rather than the catastrophic dread of a game like The Last of Us.

However, I wish boss battles were more unique. Many of them are against giant creatures called Nushi, but they all have almost the same attack patterns and even designs. I got tired of fighting the nearly identical huge four-legged creatures after the third time.

More bite than bark Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

Thankfully, the combat gives Beast of Reincarnation the much-needed claws, sinking into you and keeping you entertained. Though it might initially feel like a Soulslike at first because of the sharp difficulty curve, the game eventually provides you with more skills, opening the combat up to feel more like a straightforward action game.

There’s a heavy emphasis on parrying, similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Every time Emma successfully parries, her Entanglement meter fills up, which allows her to unleash devastating attacks with her hair. And when breaking an enemy’s stamina, she can perform flashy finishers. The flow of battle feels very satisfying, fast-paced, and fun.

Upon successfully parrying attacks, you activate the special abilities of Emma’s various katanas. There’s one where she recovers a portion of her health for a few seconds upon a successful parry, which was immensely helpful, especially during boss fights. My personal favorite katana was a late-game one that dealt additional poison and electric damage. I loved watching the crackling purple lightning strikes crash down whenever I swung my sword.

Credit: Game Freak / Screenshot by George Yang

While Koo fights autonomously, you can pull up a menu that slows down time and issue direct commands to him to use his own special attacks, such as summoning vines to immobilize enemies for Emma to unleash fury on, or conjuring a flowerbed that gradually restores her HP. It’s very similar to Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy’s “Classic” combat mode. It’s a beneficial feature that lets you have more control over Koo’s actions, and thematically strengthens the camaraderie between them.

At $60, Beast of Reincarnation is a good value for a 25-30 hour experience. By thoroughly exploring the world, you can get even more mileage out of it. It’s also available on Xbox Game Pass via the Ultimate tier.

You can play the game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

Beast of Reincarnation (PS5 and Xbox Series X) $59.99 at Best Buy
  Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Amazon

Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. have a lot to look forward to right now. Zoe Saldaña is back running black ops in a new season of Taylor Sheridan's highly anticipated series Lioness, there are a handful of UFC bouts to tap out with, and 71 movies were added in its big August 1 dump alone.

TL;DR: Protect nine devices with one lifetime subscription when you get the AdGuard Family Plan on sale for $15.97 through August 9.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

Most ad blockers stop at the browser and quit the moment you leave it, so every other app on your phone stays wide open to pop-ups and trackers. The AdGuard Family Plan works system-wide instead, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97 (reg. $169.99).

Ads aren’t just annoying; they slow down your browsing, eat up your data, and sometimes even carry malware. And if you’ve got kids online, you want to make sure they’re safe from inappropriate content. The AdGuard Family Plan does all that and more. With built-in parental controls, you can filter out harmful sites and ensure your family’s online experience is both secure and enjoyable.

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With up to nine devices covered, the AdGuard Family Plan is ideal for households where everyone’s connected. And because it’s a one-time payment for lifetime access, you’ll never have to worry about recurring fees or annoying subscription renewals.

AdGuard also hides your activity from the trackers and analytics scripts that follow you around the web, so the data those companies would normally collect never leaves your device. It also blocks known phishing and malware sites before they load, which stops a bad link from turning into a bad afternoon.

AdGuard runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, so whichever mix of phones, tablets, and laptops your household runs, one purchase covers all nine slots.

Get an AdGuard Family Plan while they’re on sale for $16. Sale ends Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

I recently got to spend a couple of hours of my workday playing with the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets, and my inner 8-year-old is still screaming. So, I'll put this the way a child might: I love the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets so much I want to marry them.

Seriously, though: These sets totally rule.

And as of Aug. 1, you can finally order these sets for your own personal Lego collection, and they're without a doubt some of the best new Legos we've seen in a while, and not just for Pokémon fans. Even if you've been skeptical of the Lego Smart Play system, I highly recommend giving these brickified monsters a chance.

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play collection All-In-One SET Lego Smart Play Pokémon Training House with Pikachu $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Mewtwo's Lab Break set $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now All-In-One Set Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set $119.99 at Amazon Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle $29.99 at Lego Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash set $19.99 at Lego Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt set $59.99 at Lego Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof set $19.99 at Lego Shop Now Lego Pokémon Smart Play Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown set $89.99 at Amazon Shop Now

I'll admit that I was underwhelmed by the Lego Smart Play Star Wars sets released earlier this year. So I was a bit skeptical when Mashable got the chance to demo the new Lego Pokémon sets ahead of their launch. However, my Pokémon-loving colleagues and I had an absolute blast playing and geeking out over these sets.

Lego Charizard and Mewtwo in Battle Mode. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

I'm excited to break down how they work, which sets are coming, and whether they're worth adding to your Lego collection.

You can also hear some of the adorable noises they make for yourself:

What are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets? Charizard in all its glory. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Mashable has been following the Lego Smart Play rollout closely. We were there for the Smart Brick's big debut at CES 2026 and on hand for the London launch event for the Pokémon Smart Play Sets this summer.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable The Smart Brick enables interacitivity with the Mewtwo's Lab Break set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Smart Play system is built around a new Smart Brick, a modified 2x4 Lego piece. Lego crammed a lot of hardware into this brick, which features an accelerometer, microphones and speakers, LED lights, magnetic field sensors, a gyroscope, and a color sensor. The Smart Brick responds to Smart Tags included with the Smart Play sets, as well as various Smart Minifigures. An included wireless charger provides extra juice when the battery runs out.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far, from F1 to Monet and Pokémon The Lego Smart Brick looks like a regular 2x4 Lego brick. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable Recharge your Smart Bricks with the included charging pad. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The end result is a Lego set that responds to your play. Now, your Lego Mini Figures can talk to each other. They also light up or make noises based on your movements.

Here's the Lego Jolteon with a Smart Brick. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets take this even further. Once you add a Smart Brick to Pikachu, Jolteon, or Geodude, your favorite Pokémon will start to make adorable little noises and talk to each other. You can feed them, train them, and even enter them into a battle mode. Once you do, you can charge up special powers, level up your Pokémon, and pit them against each other.

The Smart Brick sits right in Charizard's tummy. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable The Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets make incredibly cute noises

The real secret sauce behind the new smart Lego Pokémon sets? Pikachu, Squirtle, Bidoof, Geodude, Charmander, and Eevee make adorable little noises. They squeak and chatter back and forth when you place them near each other. When you push Squirtle's buggy around, it makes little choo-choo engine noises.

Lego Smart Play Training House with Pikachu Set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

And the pièce de résistance? The Pikachu Treehouse Set contains a hidden Murphy Bed. Place Pikachu or one of its smart friends on the bed, and they fall asleep and snore.

Lego Smart Play Pikachu takes a nap in the Training House. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

It's enough to make you squeal at the cuteness overload, which is exactly what we did as we played with these little monsters at the Mashable office.

The aforementioned battle mode is also really cool. Some of the sets come with training stations, where you can level up Pokémon for a better chance at winning a match-up. You can power up your Pokémon's special power (shake too hard, and the move fizzles out), dodge attacks, and generally just have fun.

These are just some of the primary interactive elements, and a lot of the fun here will be trying out new things. You can add the Smart Tags and Smart Bricks to different creatures to explore new ways to play.

Squirtle comes with a buggy and barbecue set, obviously. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Again, I've never been a huge Pokémon guy (I'm an OG Harry Potter nerd), and even I had a blast playing with these cute little dudes.

Remember: You need at least one "All-In-One" set

There is one thing I don't love about the Lego Smart Play sets: they don't all come with a smart brick. That's not as big of a deal here as it was with the pricey Star Wars sets, but check the product details carefully. You'll need to buy at least one set with a smart brick and charger (look for "Smart Play All-In-One" on the upper-right corner of the box). From there, you can build your own collection. I appreciate that the add-on sets start at $19.99, and you can get all-in-one sets starting at $69.99. Lego's prices aren't always so friendly.

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The adorable Training House with Pikachu and the Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle sets are both all-in-one kits that include Smart Bricks.

Geodude rocks! Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

You can also buy interactive "Smart Play Compatible" sets, which include:

• Mewtwo's Lab Break

• Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt

• Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof

• Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle

• Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash

• Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown

At least three of the sets are available on Amazon, and the rest are available at the Lego online store. Presumably, more smart Pokémon sets will be coming in the future.

Are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets worth it?

Absolutely! We had a blast playing with these sets, and we appreciate that there are lots of sets available for under $75, and some for under $25. If you love Lego and Pokémon, we think this one will be fun for all ages.

You can purchase these sets at the Lego online store and through Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Smart Play Pokémon Training House with Pikachu $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle Set $119.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

On October 14th, 1947, U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager pushed the Bell X-1 past the speed of sound over the California desert, becoming the first pilot in history to fly faster than Mach 1. Less than two decades later, Lockheed's Skunk Works division answered with the SR-71, a reconnaissance plane built to cruise at more than three times the speed of sound.

August on Netflix has arrived, and with it comes the anticipation for a handful of marquee new original movies the streamer will be trotting out in the coming weeks, including a sci-fi horror starring Greta Lee (The Last House) and, late in the month, a chilling-looking murder thriller (The Whisper Man) starring Adam Scott and Robert de Niro.

Your work laptop might be sharing a network with everything else you own (provided you work from home sometimes, that is). That's convenient, but it also gives a computer controlled by someone else's IT department far more local access than it needs.

It is no secret that Google is trying to incorporate Gemini into all of its products and services—if an app doesn’t have it yet, it's safe to say it will. However, the company recently turned the tables on this. Instead of incorporating the AI assistant into apps, it's putting the apps into Gemini.

I was on the brink of having to spend $100 more per month for AI because I was running out of tokens faster than they were replenishing. Little did I know a single change in how I used AI would make my tokens (and money) go further.