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TL;DR: The Motorola Razr is available for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this promotion, simply activate a new line on an Experience More plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan. Shop Now

Samsung has garnered all the attention recently in the wake of its new product announcements, Google has its own moment in the spotlight this week with Made By Google, and iPhone 18 rumors continue to circulate. It's a busy time in the world of smartphones, so where does Motorola come in?

Do not fear, Motorola devotees. You still have the opportunity to shine thanks to T-Mobile.

T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free, with no trade-in required. To qualify, all you need to do is activate a new line on its Experience More plan. The total cost is covered via 24 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the two-year mark, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price.

You will need to pay taxes and a one-time connection charge with this "free" deal, but that's a small price to pay for such an impressive handset.

The Motorola Razr offers a 3.6-inch external display that's big enough to reply to Slack messages, check Google Maps, and sort through emails without flipping the phone open. Under the hood, the 4,800mAh battery outlasts most compact foldables on the market, and the 50MP main camera sensor handles quick WFH video calls and casual shots with ease.

Score the new Motorola Razr for free with T-Mobile.

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

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

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

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

What is La Liga?

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

The defending champions are Barcelona.

When is La Liga?

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

How to watch La Liga for free

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

These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the La Liga from anywhere in the world.

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

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

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

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

4. Visit CazéTV

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for CazeTV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream for free on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 80% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

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

TL;DR: Pay $54.99 once for lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access on one Windows PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $54.99
$249.99 Save $195   Get Deal

Microsoft Office is one of those software packages many people need but do not necessarily want to rent forever. For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows is available as a lifetime license for $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, covering everything from routine documents and spreadsheets to presentations, email, notes, and database management. It is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, and the license key and download link are delivered digitally.

Office 2024 brings a refreshed interface, dark mode support, improved security tools, and advanced features for working with data and business documents. Unlike Microsoft 365, it focuses on stable desktop software rather than continuously adding new cloud-based features.

That can be an advantage for businesses, regulated workplaces, and home users who prefer a predictable setup that does not change every few weeks.

Credit: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows

There is one important distinction to understand before buying. This Professional Plus license uses a device-linked key, not a license connected to your Microsoft account. It activates on one Windows PC and generally cannot be moved to a replacement computer later. That limitation is also a major reason the price is considerably lower than Microsoft’s transferable or subscription-based options.

You also will not receive Microsoft 365 extras such as bundled cloud storage or ongoing feature releases. But for anyone who primarily wants the core desktop applications, those extras may not justify another monthly charge.

At $54.99, this lifetime Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2024 license is a straightforward choice for someone who keeps the same Windows PC and prefers a one-time payment to recurring fees.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Tackle work, play, and everything in between with the dependable HP EliteBook 830 G8, on sale now for $389.99 (reg. $549.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Elitebook 830 G8 2020 (Refurbished) $389.99
$549.99 Save $160   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a laptop you can always count on, sometimes it’s better to go with a less flashy, dependable brand like HP. The HP EliteBook 830 G8 serves up power and proven reliability, and right now you can bring one home for just $389.99.

If you’re looking for a laptop that is in demand by IT departments, look no further than the HP EliteBook 830 G8. This 13.3-inch convertible business laptop was designed to deliver great performance, security, and flexibility you can take anywhere.

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Despite weighing in at just 2.8 pounds, this HP EliteBook is still packed with plenty of power thanks to an 11th Gen Intel Core processor. It can handle all your multitasking needs and heavy workloads, while the Intel Iris Xe Graphics offer smooth visuals and enhanced graphics performance no matter what you’re doing.

This laptop sets itself apart with a full HD touchscreen display and a 360-degree convertible design for maximum flexibility. An impressive 16.5-hour battery life gives you enough time to tackle a full workday and still have time to binge-watch your comfort show. Speaking of taking a break for some entertainment, you’ll be able to enjoy it all with rich Bang & Olufsen premium audio.

Stay connected anywhere with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth, and connect via dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.0, and USB-A.

You’re saving big on this device thanks to its Grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to no scuffing on the case, while you score a deep discount.

Score your own HP EliteBook 830 G8 for only $389.99, while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: PSG vs. Arsenal in the Champions League final is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Winning your domestic league is great, but winning the Champions League is on another level.

PSG are looking to secure an incredible third consecutive title. That's going to be a mammoth task in the face of giants like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, all desperate to lift the iconic trophy.

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

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single-leg final.

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2026-27 Champions League?

The 2026-27 Champions League is the 72nd edition of the competition (and the 35th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament starts on July 7 and runs until the final on June 5.

How to watch the 2026-27 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2026-27 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media

• Turkey — tabii

• UK — Prime Video (free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Champions 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 a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

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 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 2026-27 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still a couple of years away from the next quest for Olympic medals, but that doesn't mean the best athletes are sitting back and relaxing. No, there are PBs to chase, rivals to beat, and world records to set. And some elite athletes will be targeting all of that at once in the 2026 European Athletics Championships.

The Alexander Stadium is welcoming some of track and field's biggest stars this month. The likes of Keely Hodgkinson, Mondo Duplantis, and Femke Bol will be battling it out for places on the podium. Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen has already secured a stunning victory. We're excited to see what's next.

If you want to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What are the European Athletics Championships?

The European Athletics Championships are a biennial track and field event organized by the European Athletics Association. The championships bring together the continent’s best athletes to compete across sprint, distance, field, road, and combined events for medals.

When are the 2026 European Athletics Championships?

The 2026 European Athletics Championships take place from Aug. 10-16 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, UK.

How to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free

The 2026 European Athletics Championships is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the European Athletics Championships from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 European Athletics Championships 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships 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 European Athletics Championships without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the entire event before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms, 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 BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

• 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 2026 European Athletics Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Recommendations for the best robot vacuums to buy in 2026 are at the bottom of this guide. Use the table of contents to skip down to that, or to skip to the deep dive on a specific robot vacuum feature.

Deciding between a robot vacuum and a stick vacuum ultimately comes down to one factor: which one you'll actually use on a regular basis. If you're struggling to keep a manual vacuuming routine, let this be your sign to finally switch to the automated version. A good robot vacuum can completely change the way you keep up with your home. You just have to know what to look for.

What to know before buying a robot vacuum

The holy trinity of non-negotiable robot vacuum features — automatic emptying, mopping, and smart mapping — can be found at any price point these days. Despite the less intimidating cost spectrum, it's still possible to underpay or overpay for a robot vacuum. The question isn't whether or not a robot vacuum is worth it in your home at all. It's about which robot vacuum features will give each household the best automated cleaning experience.

I have a pretty good sense of that: I've been testing robot vacuums for Mashable since 2019. More than 40 different robot vacuums have lived under my roof so far, and my running mental checklist for robot vacuum shopping gets refreshed on a monthly basis. I can barely attend a family function without being asked for robot vacuum advice, anyway, so I've organized my firsthand intel into a robot vacuum buying guide for the internet. Here's your straightforward robot vacuum buying guide for 2026:

Robot vacuum suction power explained

Technical translation: Most robot vacuum brands measure suction power in pascals (Pa). iRobot and Shark are the two outliers. They tend to advertise a certain vacuum's suction power by comparing it to another model from their own lineup.

As of 2026, the most powerful robot vacuums you can buy have between 35,000 and 36,000 Pa of suction power. You'll want to aim for the highest suction power possible in homes with plush carpet or lots of area rugs and more than two pets. Anything hitting 20,000 Pa or above would still be considered good suction power for a robot vacuum in homes with slightly less intense cleaning needs, less foot traffic, or less fur.

The path clearly shows where this Roborock's 36,000 Pa suction has been. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable This Dreame vacuum has dual brush rolls made of two different textures. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Pro tip: If you're looking for a robot vacuum that works well on carpet, the brush roll setup underneath also matters. In my experience, the best robot vacuum pet hair pickup comes from a dual brush roll system where the rollers sit parallel to each other. They spin independently of each other to pinch hair in the middle (and give clumps an exit to prevent tangling or spooling at the end of the roll).

The most effective rollers use alternating materials like hairbrush-like bristles, nylon bristles, and rubber fins for digging deep in carpet fibers, creating friction and agitation on stubborn shedding, and latching onto thick and fine hair.

SEE ALSO: Which robot vacuum works the best on pet hair? After testing, my cats and I chose our top picks for 2026.

Some robot vacuums also have a dedicated extendable edge sweeping brush, which has more purpose in life than the aimless side brushes affixed to most cheap robot vacuums. The retractable arm reaches an inch or two past the robot's body to push debris out from tight spots into the vacuum's cleaning path — picture crumbs under the counter or dust bunnies blown near walls.

What to avoid: I would generally advise against settling for suction power below 10,000 Pa; though 8,000 Pa or below is where I draw a hard line for any household. The weaker the suction power, the higher the chances of debris being scattered instead of sucked or pet hair being left behind — two experiences that'll quickly make you regret spending money on this robot vacuum.

Self-emptying docks explained

Technical translation: A self-emptying robot vacuum automatically empties its debris into the same dock it charges on. The dust bin in the dock has a much larger capacity than the dust bin on the vacuum itself. Instead of dumping that tiny dustbin by hand multiple times per week, automatic emptying gets you off the hook from dustbin maintenance for at least a month, if not much longer.

Just about every robot vacuum is a self-emptying robot vacuum these days, even at the ultra-budget-friendly level. Unless you need the vacuum to live under a TV stand or a couch, there's no need to spend time pondering whether automatic emptying is worth it. There's no shortage of compact self-emptying robot vacuums that would be great for a small space like an apartment.

The Dreame D20 Pro Plus self-empty dock is on the small side. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete dock is more advanced, but takes up more space. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Robot vacuum mopping explained

Pretty much all robot vacuums are mopping robot vacuums at this point in the game. That's the case even at the $200 to $300 end of the spectrum. However, the best robot vacuum and mop combos have a much more advanced strategy and scrubbing intensity than entry-level mopping robot vacuums. There are three main mopping pad designs to choose from:

Regular flat mopping pad: Most cheap robot vacuum mop combos use a basic D-shaped pad. This design typically doesn't vibrate, press down onto the floor, or reach along edges, so this type of wet cleaning maxes out at wiping up small droplets, fine dust, or pet hair on hard floors. Don't expect a stationary flat mopping pad to soak up larger spills or anything with a chunky or sticky consistency — that's when smearing happens.

The budget-friendly Dreame D20 Pro Plus. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Shark UV Reveal's flat pad pops in and out during spot cleaning. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 and the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic are two exceptions. Both are equipped with a D-shaped mopping pad that scrubs with pressurized sonic vibrations and scoots out when corners or walls are sensed.

Dual spinning mopping pads: This common design divvies the job up to two circular pads that spin to create more physical agitation on dried stains, offering more elbow grease than a singular stationary pad. Dual spinning mopping pads are the optimal design for edge mopping because their scrubbing isn't limited to the vacuum's round shape. One circular pad operates on a hinge that swings out when a wall or corner is sensed.

This Roborock was able to mop under the fridge and reach the crumbs lodged at the edge. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Dreame's spinning pads were highly effective on dried winter slush and salty shoe prints near the door. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Roller mop: Roller mop robot vacuums use a paint roller-style pad that spans the diameter of the vacuum. The rollers are typically thick and fluffy with an absorbent bath towel-like material, making this design elite for soaking up liquids. Roller mop robot vacuums have the unique ability to rinse their pad with fresh water during mopping, so they're the least likely type to streak your clean floors with dirty water.

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Previously, only spinning mopping pads had cleaned this closely in my bathroom doorway. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Self-cleaning mopping pads

You're buying a robot vacuum because you don't feel like doing your own vacuuming and mopping, right? If a shorter to-do list is the goal, I doubt you'll feel like refilling a tiny water tank or touching soggy mopping pads every day. You can get out of this by choosing a robot vacuum and mop that can wash and dry its own mopping pads. This is an option for a ton of models with spinning pads or a roller mop.

Their self-empty dock also houses two water tanks — one for rinsing and refilling clean water, and one to hold the dirty water — plus fans beneath the vacuum for drying. Almost all of them dry with hot air to kill bacteria and mitigate that mildewy smell. The clean water tank in the dock can last for a week or so before needing a refill, which is around the same time that the dirty water tank will need to be emptied.

The water tanks can be filled and emptied in the sink. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Self-refilling docks have a special detergent dispensing compartment. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

For enhanced sanitation, many high-end robot vacuums can mop with a cleaning solution rather than just plain water. Brands often throw a bottle of their official cleaning solution in the box, but the fine print should let you know if it's safe to branch out to other detergents with your preferred ingredients or scent.

Pro tip: Some models also use heated water while they're actually mopping. Heated mopping loosens the bonds that make grease slimy and hard to wipe up. These are the only robot vacuum mop combos I've tested that can successfully clean up oily dressings or syrup without leaving a trail of sticky residue.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

What to avoid: Robot vacuums that don't mop aren't worth it, even if you don't think you'll use the mopping part. Most non-mopping robot vacuums are basic on all fronts: They have weak suction, aren't great at navigating, and require you to empty the dustbin by hand.

iRobot has a pretty powerful Roomba that doesn't mop, but at $699.99, you're not exactly saving money by forgoing mopping. There are far better robot vacuum mop combos out there that cost the same or less. If you don't feel like dealing with mopping-related maintenance, just ignore the mopping part altogether and take advantage of that vacuum's other solid features.

Robot vacuum smart mapping explained

Technical translation: Smart mapping refers to a robot vacuum's ability to scope out and remember a copy of your home's floor plan. The map drawn during the vacuum's initial mapping run pops up in the app, where you tweak it by merging or splitting rooms and adding room labels. Then, the robot vacuum can clean specific rooms on command, or complete a whole-home clean.

A map of my apartment in the Roborock app. Credit: Screenshot / Roborock A close-up of my living room's furniture arrangement in the Eufy app. Credit: Screenshot / Eufy

LiDAR measures the distance between boundaries and large objects in the room by bouncing lasers off of walls and furniture to see how fast the light comes back. (This is what the circular tower atop many robot vacuums is for.) LiDAR works instantaneously, so map-making is quick and highly accurate even in large homes. LiDAR robot vacuums don't require light to see, so they work just as well at night or in dark rooms.

VSLAM uses cameras that continuously capture images of the space and identify room-specific landmarks like the layout of a wall, a doorway, or a large piece of furniture. VSLAM is meticulous when assessing objects up close, but it's not as equipped for open floor plans as LiDAR is. VSLAM cameras can't see as well in low lighting, either.

In 2026, many flagship robot vacuums mesh the two approaches to achieve seamless navigation in any situation it stumbles across. The combination of the two is ideal for floor type detection. Premium robot vacuums can sense hard floors, rugs, and fully carpeted rooms, labeling them that way in the app. Most have an automatic suction boost feature that kicks in on soft floors.

Zone cleaning and keep-out zones

Room-by-room smart mapping also allows robot vacuums to clean specific areas in those rooms. In the app, you can drag and drop a zone to clean up a spill or deal with crumbs near the table without cleaning the entire room. These can be a one-time thing or saved as a recurring command in the future. Similarly, zones can also be used to keep the vacuum out of certain spots, like around a pile of Legos or a frilly bath mat.

What to avoid: I'll die on the hill that smart mapping is the baseline brain power that any robot vacuum worth your money should have. The bump-and-go approach provides too many opportunities for a robot vacuum to get stuck, potentially making your life harder instead of easier. If you think about it, actual cleaning skills don't even come into play if a robot vacuum can't successfully get itself to the spots that need to be cleaned.

Luckily, smart mapping isn't a tall order nowadays — brands rarely release a new robot vacuum without it. A budget cap of $200 is more than enough to secure room-to-room mapping from reliable brands like Shark or Roborock. To be sure, scan the product listing to make sure that "LiDAR" or "map" is specifically mentioned. Older Roombas used sneaky language like "smart navigation methodically cleans in neat rows," which is not smart mapping.

Small obstacle avoidance explained

Technical translation: Small obstacle avoidance technology helps a robot vacuum dodge low-profile objects in real time. This special camera system can detect obstacles like shoes, laundry, chargers and extension cords, pet toys, or other items that commonly pop up on the floor. With obstacle avoidance, you won't have to worry about pre-tidying the floor before sending the vacuum out.

Many obstacle avoidance cameras can even decipher between several different types of objects. You'll see a bubble on the map marking where the item was found. It's always nice to have proof that your vacuum is, in fact, avoiding problem areas (even if you didn't set a keep-out zone).

Livestream pet cameras

The cameras used for small obstacle avoidance aren't necessarily the kind that take pictures. But some fancier robot vacuums actually can snap photos and capture a livestream video. These give you a floor-level view of whatever the vacuum sees as it's roving your home, making it a pretty comforting tool for pet parents when they're away. Most livestream pet cameras are even accompanied by two-way microphones to talk to your pets or call another person who's at home.

Pro tip: If this sketches you out, you don't have to enable usage of the camera at all. If livestream remote viewing is activated by someone in the app, the robot makes an announcement to make sure anyone at home is aware.

AI mess detection

It's becoming the norm for small obstacle avoidance cameras to use AI to become better drivers and better cleaners over time. Several flagship robot vacuums from 2026 can assess different types of messes on the floor to adjust cleaning intensity accordingly. The smartest ones can tell the difference between a few everyday crumbs and a big pile of dry debris, or mop the site of a big liquid spill twice.

What I see when the Narwal Flow 2 is cleaning near the litter box... Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable ... vs. what the Narwal Flow 2 sees: scattered debris and my cat, Sansa. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Pro tip: If you're not big on AI, you can turn off AI features without completely disabling small obstacle avoidance.

What is good battery life for a robot vacuum?

It depends on how big your space is. A 90- to 100-minute battery life is sufficient for a robot vacuum to cover an apartment or single story of a small home on one charge. Many newer robot vacuums can last up to 250 minutes on one charge, which would be ideal for a full clean of a house that's several thousand square feet. But battery life shouldn't be a huge deciding factor if most of your cleaning will be done on a room-by-room basis, anyway.

Pro tip: Every robot vacuum you'll find at a retailer like Amazon or Target is a self-charging robot vacuum. Unless you're investing in a 15-year-old vacuum you found on eBay, even the cheapest robot vacuums know to return to the dock when their battery is low. The cleaning session should resume once they're juiced up.

The best robot vacuums to buy this year, tested My top robot vacuum recommendations for 2026 Best robot vacuum in 2026 so far Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,344.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best roller mop robot vacuum Narwal Flow 2 $1,499.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best budget roller mop robot vacuum Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best budget robot vacuum and mop under $400 Dreame D20 Pro Plus $319.97 at Amazon Shop Now

Another solar eclipse is coming. If you're ready to look up to the sky for the special event, don't forget to protect your eyes. As Europe gears up to witness a total eclipse, parts of North America will enjoy a partial eclipse.

The solar eclipse is taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 12. According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will be seen in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. However, partial eclipses can be seen in the northern U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina), most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa.

Don't expect a dramatic show if you're watching from the US, though. The farther south you are, the less you'll see, and if you're not in the eclipse's path, or the weather doesn't cooperate, NASA will stream the eclipse live starting at 1:15 p.m. ET at nasa.gov/live.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to qualify

If you're planning on watching the eclipse, you'll need a pair of solar eclipse glasses. Be wary, there are plenty of solar eclipse glasses available, especially on Amazon, but you must make sure they're ISO 12312-2 Certified for the safest eye protection. The American Astronomical Society has a list of approved manufacturers you can verify too.

Since the glasses are delicate, check them before use to ensure there are no punctures or tears. To test them, wear them inside your home, and you shouldn't be able to see any light fixtures besides a small filament.

To prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse, here's a list of all the options available at Amazon. All the options on this list are CE-, ISO-, or AAS-certified to protect your eyes during the eclipse. Plus, they all arrive before Wednesday, Aug. 12.

A quick note before you buy: since the eclipse is just days away, delivery timing matters here. Amazon Prime members will generally get the fastest and most reliable delivery windows, so it's worth checking the estimated arrival date on each listing before you order — some of these options are cutting it close, arriving on Aug. 12.

Solar Eclipse Glasses in the UK

• Absolute Eclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses — £4.79

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses — £5.99

• Solar Optics Solar Eclipse Glasses 5-pack with Phone Filters — £14.99

• Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses 5-pack — £15.99

• Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses — £17.99

Solar Eclipse Glasses in the U.S. and North America

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses (2 pack) — $7.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Medical king Solar Eclipse Glasses (10 pack) — $8.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses (5 pack) — $9.95

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses (5 pack) — $9.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Bookishbunny Solar Eclipse Paper Glasses (10 pack) — $10.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Keyaluo Solar Eclipse Glasses (12 pack) — $13.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Galaxium Solar Eclipse Glasses for kids — $14.95

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses (10 pack) — $14.99 (arriving Aug. 12)

• AAA Eclipse Solar Glasses (6 pack) — $17.95

• Galaxium Solar Eclipse Glasses (6 pack) — $17.95 (arriving Aug. 12)

• Helioclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses (12 pack) — $19.95

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026:

Across"Magic" items for Jack, in a classic fairy tale

• The answer is Beans.

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

What the "A" stands for in A/V

• The answer is Audio.

Political ally who receives corrupt benefits

• The answer is Crony.

"Uh-uh"

• The answer is Nope.

Cutesy suffix with "best"

• The answer is Est.

DownPortmanteau for a skin problem under a T-shirt or bra strap

• The answer is Bacne.

Continental currency units

• The answer is Euros.

"___, don't shop" (pet shelter slogan)

• The answer is Adopt.

Highest number in sudoku

• The answer is Nine.

Veggie burger ingredient

• The answer is Soy.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To do better than someone else.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

TRUMP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To pile up.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STACK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Salty.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 11, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRINY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

In a moment.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRICE

Final Hurdle hint

To slumber.

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

SLEEP

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

Almost 100 rare Nintendo cartridges have been discovered in a Wisconsin retro games store, with a handful of them to go up for auction this week. The individually wrapped Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt NES cartridges appear to have come from a previously unknown run of the games, with collectors having been unaware of their existence until now.

SEE ALSO: 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' review: Death is coming for us all

The 97 Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cartridges belong to Kevin Braun, owner of retro games store OneStopWonders in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and were identified with the help of Nintendo Wire editor Jason Ganos. Nintendo Wire reports that the cartridges were initially in the possession of a precious metal recovery service, which Nintendo appeared to have contracted to break them down.

They were left untouched for decades, until Braun purchased the box of games from the owner's grandson. He had been intending to sell the games at OneStopWonders, but forgot them in a storage unit until they came up in conversation with Ganos.

"After Kevin finished his story, I immediately could tell that the blood had drained from my face," Ganos wrote, recounting the discovery on Nintendo Wire.

Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt aren't rare games in and of themselves. Released in the U.S. alongside the NES' 1985 launch, Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt have left enduring legacies as two of the platform's most popular titles. In 1988, the games were put together in dual cartridges and sold with the NES in an Action Set bundle.

However, Braun's cartridges do not appear to be from this run. In fact, they do not appear to be from any run that was previously known. Aside from differences in their back labels and instruction manuals, their manufacturing codes indicate that they were made in 1993. As Nintendo Wire noted, this dates the uncovered cartridges after every Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt bundle that fans were aware of.

"What we had found was the very last production run, and an undiscovered variant of Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt. Arguably one of the most beloved, and one of the most documented games in Nintendo history," wrote Ganos. "Not only that, but nearly every cartridge was pristine."

Though there was some initial speculation that the cartridges could be counterfeit, authentication company PSA has since confirmed that they are real. The company also evaluated them for their condition, scoring several between PSA 9.6 to 9.8, while five were given a perfect PSA 10 — a grade that Nintendo Wire states had never been given to a NES cartridge before.

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Three games from the collection will be listed by Goldin Auctions this Wednesday, including one of the cartridges given a PSA score of 10. Though Braun and Ganos intend to keep some of the cartridges for themselves, more will be auctioned off in the future, including in charity auctions.

Exactly how much the cartridges might fetch is unclear. However, they're likely to go for significantly more than the $15 Braun had initially planned to sell them for. A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. with a PSA score of 9.6 just set a new video game auction record in June, selling for a whopping $3 million.

We're almost at the end of the Moon's current lunar cycle, with only the tiniest sliver surface still visible. That crescent will to shrink nothing over the next few nights before the Moon reaches its New Moon phase.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 3% of its surface visible.

The Moon is not illuminated enough to be able to spot anything on its surface tonight.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon doesn't look the same from Earth every night. As it travels around our planet, it moves through a lunar cycle that takes roughly 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The changing positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon affect how much of the Moon's sunlit side we can see, creating the different phases. Over the course of the cycle, the Moon progresses from a narrow crescent to a half Moon and eventually a Full Moon, before starting the sequence over again.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I learned that my iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming 2026 total solar eclipse do not mix. I stumbled upon BGR's article, which warned skygazers against using their phones to take pictures of the imminent cosmic event.

If you're like me, you may be wondering "Why?" After all, who wouldn't want to snap a photo of such an awe-inspiring celestial occurrence?

Opens in a new window Credit: Lunt Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses (Pack of 5) £26.21 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: AAA Eclipse AAA Eclipse Solar Viewing Glasses (Pack of 50) $49.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now

As it turns out, taking a photo of the 2026 solar eclipse could damage your iPhone's camera hardware.

SEE ALSO: Solar eclipse 2026 from the US: how to watch from home and online Why you shouldn't take a photo of the 2026 solar eclipse with your phone

In the same way that you shouldn't use a telescope or binoculars to gaze at the sun (you could melt your eyeballs off), you shouldn't use your phone's shooter — or any other poorly equipped camera — to take a photo of the solar eclipse.

BGR says that no smartphone is designed to handle the intense solar rays the sun emanates. "Using your camera or phone could cause the heat from the rays to become so concentrated that it could melt the lens inside," the tech outlet warned.

Days before the April 8, 2024 eclipse that swept across parts of North America, NASA provided similar advice.

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

There is a workaround in that you can purchase filters for your phone and camera.

NEEWER 67mm Clip On Filters Kit for Phone & Camera Credit: Amazon

But the best way to see the eclipse might very well be with your eyes rather than a camera lens. That is, if they are fully protected.

SEE ALSO: Here's where to buy legit solar eclipse glasses that'll arrive before Wednesday's eclipse

It must be emphasized that it's imperative that your eyes are protected. NASA recommends getting "ISO 12312-2" grade solar eclipse glasses that filter harmful light.

The historic 2026 total solar eclipse is set to happen Aug. 12 and, depending where you are, might only be visible as a partial solar eclipse if it's visible at all. Mashable's Elisha Sauers, our space reporter, shares exactly when and where to get the best view of the 2026 solar eclipse.

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Light Speed newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

UPDATE: Aug. 9, 2026, 11:00 a.m. EDT This 2024 story was updated to include information related to the 2026 solar eclipse happening on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

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

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

Samsung is still the center of attention. Samsung just dropped three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses, so it deserves its moment in the spotlight. But that won't last forever. Made by Google takes place this week, and rumors around the iPhone 18 continue to swirl.

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

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

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

• iPhone 17 — free when signing up for 24 months of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Staff

• Green: Halfbacks

• Blue: TV shows

• Purple: Types of penalties

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Members of a Staff

• Green: NFL Running Backs

• Blue: Sports TV Shows

• Purple: Illegal___Penalties in Football

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 #687 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Members of a Staff: COACH, SCOUT, TRAINER, VIDEO COORDINATOR

• NFL Running Backs: COOK, HALL, SWIFT, WALKER

• Sports TV Shows: COBRA KAI, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, HEATED RIVALRY, RUNNING POINT

• Illegal___Penalties in Football: BLINDSIDE BLOCK, FORMATION, FORWARD PASS, SHIFT

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 today's Connections.

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

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 11, 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 11, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 11 Pips

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 11 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 11 Pips

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

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

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

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

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

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 3-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (17): Everything in this space must add up to 17. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you watch a lot of cable TV.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Finished

• Green: Cable TV

• Blue: At an auction

• Purple: Sounds like a body part

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Doomed

• Green: Basic Cable Channels

• Blue: Words in an Auctioneer's Chant

• Purple: Homophones of Facial Features

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 #1157 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Doomed: DONE, SUNK, THROUGH, TOAST

• Basic Cable Channels: BET, BRAVO, HISTORY, USA

• Words in an Auctioneer's Chant: GOING, ONCE, SOLD, TWICE

• Homophones of Facial Features: AYE, HARE, KNOWS, TUNG

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 7, 2026

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you live in a suburb.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 7, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A barrier, particularly seen around one's house.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter "E" appears twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

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...

FENCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fresh from the market

The words are related to buying produce.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe different fruits and vegetables.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Summer Harvest.

NYT Strands word list for August 11

• Tomato

• Corn

• Melon

• Carrot

• Pepper

• Zucchini

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

August brought with it a haul of new movies to Paramount+ that we're currently enjoying, which is good because the streamer's big draws this month so far seem to be aimed at a heavy-hitting new season of Taylor Sheridan's Lioness and another monster UFC battle happening this weekend, with UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry.