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TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 + Windows 11 Pro for $54.97. No subscription, lifetime license, and all the productivity tools you’ll ever need.

If your computer still creaks under the weight of outdated software, this bundle is your fast track to a smoother, more powerful workday. For just $54.97, you get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro—both as lifetime licenses, no monthly fees attached.

Office Pro 2021 is the full professional suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and OneNote. Whether you’re crunching numbers, sending polished proposals, or designing presentations that actually pop, you’ll have every tool you need. And with the ribbon-based interface, you can access features quickly without getting lost in menus.

Pair that with Windows 11 Pro, Microsoft’s latest and most secure operating system. Its redesigned interface is clean and fast, with productivity boosters like snap layouts, powerful search, and seamless multi-desktop management. Need enterprise-grade security? BitLocker, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD integration are all included. Plus, the built-in Copilot AI can help summarize content, suggest ideas, and even generate code.

Why business owners, freelancers, and professionals love this offer:

• All-in-one upgrade – Get the OS + productivity suite in one move.

• Lifetime value – Pay once, use forever.

• Boosted workflow – Eliminate the lag from old software.

Whether you’re running a business, building your side hustle, or just want your personal machine to run like new, this bundle sets you up for years of productivity without draining your budget.

Get the MS Office Pro 2021 + Windows 11 Pro bundle for $54.97 (MSRP: $418.99) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97
$418.99 Save $364.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Need another quality laptop for your Apple ecosystem? This $400 Grade A refurb M1 MacBook Air delivers premium performance.

If you’ve been eyeing a MacBook Air but couldn’t justify the full price tag, here’s your sign: you can now grab a Grade A refurbished 13.3″ MacBook Air M1 for just $399.99. That’s the same lightweight, ultra-portable design and Apple silicon performance — at less than half the original cost.

The Apple-designed M1 chip is the star here, giving you up to 3.5x faster CPU performance and 5x better graphics compared to older Intel-based Airs. That means smoother multitasking, faster rendering, and a snappier feel whether you’re editing photos, crunching numbers, or streaming in 4K. The 16-core Neural Engine even handles machine learning tasks behind the scenes.

Its 13.3″ Retina display delivers sharp text, vivid colors, and crisp detail — ideal for creative projects or binge-watching your latest show. And with a fanless design, it stays completely silent while you work or unwind.

Portability is where the Air shines. Weighing just 2.8 pounds and packing up to 18 hours of battery life, it’s ready for marathon workdays, travel, or those “I’ll just work from the park” moments. The SSD storage keeps boot times quick, while stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support make sure your calls and playlists sound great.

This refurb arrives in Grade A condition, meaning you might not even notice it’s not brand-new. You’ll get near-mint aesthetics, reliable performance, and the satisfaction of saving hundreds — all while keeping another perfectly good laptop in use.

Whether you need a second device for your Apple ecosystem, a dedicated work machine, or a reliable travel laptop, this one hits the sweet spot of performance, portability, and price.

Get the near-mint MacBook Air for $399.99 (MSRP: $899) while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2020) M1 MGN63LL/A 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $399.99
$899 Save $499.01 Get Deal

A ChatGPT user recently became convinced that he was on the verge of introducing a novel mathematical formula to the world, courtesy of his exchanges with the artificial intelligence, according to the New York Times. The man believed the discovery would make him rich, and he became obsessed with new grandiose delusions, but ChatGPT eventually confessed to duping him. He had no history of mental illness.

Many people know the risks of talking to an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini, which include receiving outdated or inaccurate information. Sometimes the chatbots hallucinate, too, inventing facts that are simply untrue. A less well-known but quickly emerging risk is a phenomenon being described by some as "AI psychosis."

Avid chatbot users are coming forward with stories about how, after a period of intense use, they developed psychosis. The altered mental state, in which people lose touch with reality, often includes delusions and hallucinations. Psychiatrists are seeing, and sometimes hospitalizing, patients who became psychotic in tandem with heavy chatbot use.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about AI companions

Experts caution that AI is only one factor in psychosis, but that intense engagement with chatbots may escalate pre-existing risk factors for delusional thinking.

Dr. Keith Sakata, a psychiatrist at the University of California at San Francisco, told Mashable that psychosis can manifest via emerging technologies. Television and radio, for example, became part of people's delusions when they were first introduced, and continue to play a role in them today.

AI chatbots, he said, can validate people's thinking and push them away from "looking for" reality. Sakata has hospitalized 12 people so far this year who were experiencing psychosis in the wake of their AI use.

"The reason why AI can be harmful is because psychosis thrives when reality stops pushing back, and AI can really soften that wall," Sakata said. "I don't think AI causes psychosis, but I do think it can supercharge vulnerabilities."

Here are the risk factors and signs of psychosis, and what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms:

Risk factors for experiencing psychosis

Sakata said that several of the 12 patients he's admitted thus far in 2025 shared similar underlying vulnerabilities: Isolation and loneliness. These patients, who were young and middle-aged adults, had become noticeably disconnected from their social network.

While they'd been firmly rooted in reality prior to their AI use, some began using the technology to explore complex problems or questions. Eventually, they developed delusions, or what's also known as a false fixed belief.

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Lengthy conversations also appear to be a risk factor, Sakata said. Prolonged interactions can provide more opportunities for delusions to emerge as a result of various user inquiries. Long exchanges can also play a role in depriving the user of sleep and chances to reality-test delusions.

An expert at the AI company Anthropic also told The New York Times that chatbots can have difficulty detecting when they've "wandered into absurd territory" during extended conversations.

UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. Darlene King has yet to evaluate or treat a patient whose psychosis emerged alongside AI use, but she said high trust in a chatbot could increase someone's vulnerability, particularly if the person was already lonely or isolated.

King, who is also chair of the committee on mental health IT at the American Psychiatric Association, said that initial high trust in a chatbot's responses could make it harder for someone to spot a chatbot's mistakes or hallucinations.

Additionally, chatbots that are overly agreeable, or sycophantic, as well as prone to hallucinations, could increase a user's risk for psychosis, in combination with other factors.

Etienne Brisson founded The Human Line Project earlier this year after a family member believed a number of delusions they discussed with ChatGPT. The project offers peer support for people who've had similar experiences with AI chatbots.

Brisson said that three themes are common to these scenarios: The creation of a romantic relationship with a chatbot the user believes is conscious; discussion of grandiose topics, including novel scientific concepts and business ideas; and conversations about spirituality and religion. In the last case, people may be convinced that the AI chatbot is God, or that they're talking to a prophetic messenger.

"They get caught up in that beautiful idea," Brisson said of the magnetic pull these discussions can have on users.

Signs of experiencing psychosis

Sakata said people should view psychosis as a symptom of a medical condition, not an illness itself. This distinction is important because people may erroneously believe that AI use may lead to psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, but there is no evidence of that.

Instead, much like a fever, psychosis is a symptom that "your brain is not computing correctly," Sakata said.

These are some of the signs you might be experiencing psychosis:

• Sudden behavior changes, like not eating or going to work

• Belief in new or grandiose ideas

• Lack of sleep

• Disconnection from others

• Actively agreeing with potential delusions

• Feeling stuck in a feedback loop

• Wishing harm on yourself or others

What to do if you think you, or someone you love, is experiencing psychosis

Sakata urges people worried about whether psychosis is affecting them or a loved one to seek help as soon as possible. This can mean contacting a primary care physician or psychiatrist, reaching out to a crisis line, or even talking to a trusted friend or family member. In general, leaning into social support as an affected user is key to recovery.

Any time psychosis emerges as a symptom, psychiatrists must do a comprehensive evaluation, King said. Treatment can vary depending on the severity of symptoms and its causes. There is no specific treatment for psychosis related to AI use.

Sakata said a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients reframe their delusions, can be effective. Medication like antipsychotics and mood stabilizers may help in severe cases.

Sakata recommends developing a system for monitoring AI use, as well as a plan for getting help should engaging with a chatbot exacerbate or revive delusions.

Brisson said that people can be reluctant to get help, even if they're willing to talk about their delusions with friends and family. That's why it can be critical for them to connect with others who've gone through the same experience. The Human Line Project facilitates these conversations through its website.

Of the 100-plus people who've shared their story with the Human Line Project, Brisson said about a quarter were hospitalized. He also noted that they come from diverse backgrounds; many have families and professional careers but ultimately became entangled with an AI chatbot that introduced and reinforced delusional thinking.

"You're not alone, you're not the only one," Brisson said of users who became delusional or experienced psychosis. "This is not your fault."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Finding a gaming headset that can do it all across multiple devices is hard enough, but earbuds? That's almost impossible.

Earbuds usually only connect to phones or a Nintendo Switch via Bluetooth, plus the added portability and convenience of earbuds compared to over-ear headphones comes with a major drop in sound quality. But there is some hope for those who really prefer this form of audio companion.

SteelSeries’ range of Arctis GameBuds demonstrates a major change in how we think about earbuds. The GameBuds make it so you can play on whatever device you like on the go or at home, whilst playing perfectly with active lifestyles. Users get all-around great sound no matter what you’re doing. 

SteelSeries versatility

In the same manner as others in the SteelSeries audio range (like the Arctis Nova 7X headset), the Arctis GameBuds come in two styles. The PlayStation SKU can connect to almost every platform you can think of via 5.3 Bluetooth or wireless 2.4GHz USB-C dongle, including the PS5, PS4, Switch 1, Switch 2, PC, tablet, etc.

The only console you can't connect to is the Xbox, due to the Microsoft-made console’s alternate wireless protocol technology requiring its own dedicated type of connectivity.

Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

That’s where the “Designed for Xbox” Arctis GameBuds X come in. This iteration’s dongle comes with a switch that has a separate mode for Xbox and PC, which actually means everything else. With the included USB-C to USB-A converter, you can plug the dongle into your Xbox and enjoy gaming, TV, and movies as you would on every other device.

Earbuds for on-the-go and gaming

This improved connectivity adds more versatility to what’s already a solid pair of earbuds for gamers and non-gamers alike. Delivered via neodymium magnetic drivers at 20–20,000 Hz, the Arctis GameBuds bring immersive sound in either its ANC (active noise cancellation) or transparency modes — all of which you can tweak in the SteelSeries mobile app, with re-mapping controls. 

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

When out in public, the ANC mode doesn’t fully block out the hustle and bustle of a busy train station or a gym’s awful playlist compared to fully over-ear headphones, but still does the job well enough that you can enjoy your favourite songs or podcasts without letting those external sounds bother you. 

Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries

If you’re heading somewhere where carrying a full set of over-ear headphones would be a nuisance, or you simply don’t have the luggage space, the less powerful noise cancellation is still a worthwhile tradeoff. 

Passing the gym test

If you’re a regular gym goer or jogger who loves to game as well, the Arctis GameBuds should be something to carefully consider. Their effective design really took me by surprise. Along with an IP55 rating for dirt, dust, or water protection, these not only sound great, but they stay in place throughout even the most strenuous of workouts.

Compared to other earbuds, like my Sony WF-1000XM3s, the slightly more curved and rounded Arctis aesthetic makes it so each bud slots within the concha of your ear for a better and stronger fit. And the smaller profile adds a certain sleekness.

The Arctis GameBuds have a more accurate fit compared to other earbuds. Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries/Sony

So, whether I'm lifting weights, bobbing my head up and down with back extensions, or sprinting like a madman on the treadmill, both GameBuds stayed firmly within my ears without a single dropout. Be sure to check the three sizes of earbud tips the GameBuds come with and swap in the correct size for your ears if needed, to ensure the best fit at all times.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best noise-cancelling earbuds include the most comfortable buds I've ever worn

I did have a couple of occasions where I was lying down and doing scissor kicks and leg raises, resulting in the GameBuds edging outwards and causing my podcasts to stop playing. The Wear Sense feature automatically pauses the audio when they drop out, which is helpful.

Wonderful presets and portable gaming

When you’re done with the outside world, the Arctis GameBuds can switch from an audiobook on my walk home via Bluetooth to playing The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on my PS5 — or streaming King of the Hill on my Xbox Series X via the 2.4GHz dongle, all without ever taking them out. 

The Arctis GameBuds work great for handheld consoles too Credit: Mashable/SteelSeries/Nintendo

The 200+ presets already available after the latest update are another sweet bonus. Along with medium-specific soundscapes like “Movie: Immersion” or “Music: Clear Vocals”, the GameBuds come with hundreds of game-specific presets to get the best out of each title without any tweaking. 

It’s slightly annoying that you can only create additional custom presets with the SteelSeries GG software, especially if you’re diving into a more obscure indie game or a brand-new title like Donkey Kong Bananza, but the base-level presets still offer a top-rate earbud-audio experience all the same. 

Speaking of Nintendo Switch 2 games, the Arctis GameBuds work perfectly with the newly released handheld, both in handheld and docked via Bluetooth and dongle. The dongle works perfectly for home gaming, commutes, and long flights, since you can use the dongle’s 2.4GHz for playing Mario Kart World at the best latency level — while being able to switch to Bluetooth for your phone on the fly. 

Although the top of the clamshell case doesn’t feel like the best quality in the world, with a thin plastic layer that doesn't exactly scream durability, the GameBud’s 40-hour battery life through its rechargeable design makes these a total package that’s perfect for any adventure.

Where can to buy SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds? Opens in a new window Credit: SteelSeries SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Shop Now

It might come as a surprise that "roomba" isn't the universal term for a robot vacuum. It is, in fact, a capital "R" that denotes Roomba as a proper noun — just one brand — rather than a generic trademark. Roombas are robot vacuums made by iRobot, and looking for the best Roomba to buy is a much more specific task than assessing the best robot vacuums in general, all brands included. However, Roomba's Band-Aid or Kleenex level fame really does prove just how iconic iRobot has become in the world of robotic vacuum cleaners.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

Roomba's recognizability makes so much sense: Not only did iRobot launch the first successful commercial robot vacuum back in the day, but the company has consistently delivered some of the most reliable robot vacuum models for two decades. More than 20 Roombas have come out since the first one hit homes in 2002, but shopping in 2025, you only need to understand the difference between a few relevant Roomba models.

What's up with iRobot overhauling the lineup this year?

After Amazon and iRobot called it quits with their pending acquisition back in 2024, there was speculation that iRobot was shutting down. Nope, it was just rebranding. iRobot randomly released a whole handful of new Roomba series in March 2025, deviating from its (unofficial) summer release schedule. I think iRobot had two reasons to hurry: the post-CES spring release of the top robot vacuums from iRobot's main competitors and, yes, the company's rocky financial situation. As someone who tests robot vacuums for a living, I'll be the first to admit that Roombas were definitely flopping in a sea of smarter, more fairly-priced robot vacs from the likes of Roborock and iRobot's biggest Google search competition, Shark.

iRobot has spent 2025 playing catch-up with its competition. For the first time, you can buy Roombas that use LiDAR for smart mapping, Roomba vacuum and mop combos with dual spinning mopping pads, and a Roomba that compacts its own dust rather than taking up floor space with a self-emptying dock. iRobot is even measuring suction power in Pascals (Pa) now, making it much easier to see how well a Roomba would work on carpet, compared to other brands.

SEE ALSO: Dreame's summer vacuum launch is the biggest vacuum drop of 2025 so far

Despite such innovations, the new 2025 Roombas are surprisingly affordable, especially compared to the debut prices of past Roombas. With all of these new Roombas thickening the plot, the same old question remains: "Which Roomba is the best?" I've tested nearly every Roomba released since 2019, and I'm regularly updating this guide as I test the 2025 models in my own apartment. After comparing suction, pet hair pickup, mopping, smart mapping, small obstacle detection, and price, I chose the Roombas that offer the best value for different types of households.

How to tell the difference between the Roomba models

The iRobot Roomba 105. The Roomba Combo i5+. The Roomba Combo j7+ (not to be confused with the Roomba j7). The arbitrary numbers and letters of the Roomba family tree are confusing at face value, but we can teach you.

When shopping for a Roomba, you'll choose from what I call iRobot's core lineup: the group of three to five Roomba series sold on iRobot's website. Any Roomba whose title includes a letter and a number (like j9+ or i5) or the word Max is more advanced than a Roomba with just numbers in the title (like 105, 205, or 692) or just words (like Roomba Vac or Essential).

A plus sign (like j9+) denotes that the model comes with a self-emptying dock, and Roombas that mop will have "Combo" in the title. "Max" is a new Roomba term introduced with the Roomba Combo 10 Max — it refers to the ability of a hybrid Roomba to wash and dry its own mopping pad within the self-empty dock. On the other end of the spectrum, "Essential" means "most basic" in the Roomba family, meaning no smart mapping.

Other Roombas I've tested

I've tested several Roombas that are no longer main players in the Roomba guide for 2025. The Roomba Combo j9+ doesn't wash or dry its mopping pad, and is simply too expensive to be worth buying over its siblings like the Roomba Combo 10 Max, Roomba Plus 505. or Roomba Max 705. Plus, the j9's increasing obsoleteness has pretty much halted its ability to get a noteworthy discount nowadays.

I have also removed any 600 series Roombas from this guide for a similar reason: They just can't compete with the newer cheap Roombas that have stronger suction and smart mapping. When I tested the Roomba 694, it pissed me off more than it impressed. The Roomba 694 and Roomba 692 are hard to find in stock, anyway, and it's rarely for less than the Roomba 105 (my new top pick for the best cheap Roomba).

TL;DR: Save $417 on this AI stock-picking app that can help you navigate crazy markets and keep your cool.

I was watching the first of the month’s market crashes and wondered, ‘Does it make sense to invest right now?’ I’d always been curious about the stock market, at least in terms of how people actually got rich by practically gambling, but I didn’t have a single clue where to begin — let alone how to even buy a stock.

Once I saw a TikTok calling this period a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (take that with a grain of salt), I decided to take my chance. But I needed help researching everything: what stocks to choose and how to track them. That’s when I found Sterling Stock Picker, and made my first investment with their $68.99 lifetime subscription (reg. $486).

How I invested my first dollar

My biggest concern wasn’t that the market wouldn’t eventually recover, but that I would choose ‘bad’ stocks due to my lack of experience. Sterling Stock Picker helped me feel calm with the 5-minute questionnaire covering my wants and ability to handle risk.

Then, I started researching stocks with help from AI. I also learned about something called exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are like groups of stocks. I didn’t know what these were at first, so I consulted the AI assistant, Finley AI, and it told me that it’s like putting a stake into a huge nest of companies at once rather than individually.

Once I selected a few ETFs to invest in, I opened a free brokerage account (sadly, you can’t directly invest through Sterling Stock Picker). I purchased my shares and put the information into Sterling Stock Picker so I could view my portfolio with fun graphs and charts and get alerts when prices change — which may help me determine when to sell.

How it’s going

Well, it’s only been a few days since I’ve made my investments and, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, things have been up and down. One day, my $1,000 portfolio was up $100, and the next, it was down $20. 

As a total beginner, I won’t offer any formal advice to you other than to do your research and be well-informed, and Sterling Stock Picker is a great tool to do just that.

Get a Sterling Stock Picker lifetime subscription for $68.99 (reg. $486).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SSP Software Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $68.99
$486 Save $417.01 Get Deal

The moon is half lit up tonight, which means a lot of things. Namely, we're in a new lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 16?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 16, the moon phase is Third Quarter (also known as the Last Quarter) and it is 46% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

From this point onwards, the moon will be less and less visible, as we're now on day 23 of the lunar cycle. But there's still plenty to spot on the moon's surface, if you look hard enough. With your naked eye, catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau, the Tycho Crater, and the Copernicus Crater.

With binoculars, see even more, including the Archimedes Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Clavius Crater. If you have a telescope, look out for the Apollo 12, Reiner Gamma, and the Schiller Crater, too.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

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

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

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.

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

Strength.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

FORCE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Harmful.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TOXIC

Hurdle Word 3 hint

On a large scale.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MACRO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A noise made when laughing.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SNORT

Final Hurdle hint

To provide.

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

CATER

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

Need a new pair of headphones? Of course you do. We all do. Headphones are absolutely essential in the modern Bluetooth-connected world, but technology moves at lightning speed. It's always time for an upgrade. The good news is, there are dozens of headphones and earbuds out there to consider. The bad news, however, is that finding the perfect pair to suit you and your lifestyle isn't always easy.

A good way to start is by asking yourself some key questions. What do you actually need thd headphones for? Working out? Commuting? Listening at home? There are more questions: Do you need a super long battery life or quick and easy charging? What about noise cancellation, so you can drown out the world around you? All headphones fundamentally promise the same thing — to deliver great sound — but some pairs are better tailored to your specific lifestyle.

Sure, you could always visit Amazon and nab the cheapest pair, but that’s never a long term solution. You should always do your research before buying a pair of headphones. Let us get the ball rolling with some helpful headphone information and a selection of the best headphones and earbuds available right now.

Which is better — over-ear headphones or earbuds?

There’s no clear-cut winner. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like buds that drill tunes directly into their ears. There are benefits to both. Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, and therefore audiophiles should focus largely on over-ear style headphones. Earbuds meanwhile are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. Generally, earbuds will likely suit anyone who prioritises portability — whether that’s for commuting, air travel, or taking to the gym — and anyone who gets uncomfortable from long, sweaty sessions under padded headphones.

What is noise cancellation?

This is another important feature that’s common in the latest headphones. It’s a built-in feature that keeps out or suppresses external noise, allowing you to fully immerse in the music without any distractions. There are two basic types of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation — or ANC — uses a system of small microphones to pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves that cancel them out.

There are other advanced modes, such as ANC that adapts to surroundings (known as adaptive noise cancellation), or a transparency mode that allows in certain ambient sounds. This is especially useful in you work in an office and need to tune into chats with colleagues, or for listening out for announcements on public transport.

What features to headphones have?

Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick a perfect pair:

• Bluetooth codecs — These are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.

• Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, more natural sound. Closed-back are a go-to choice for commuting and loud environments.

• Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. In over-ear headphones they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones. In earbuds, they measure between 8mm and 15mm.

• Spatial audio — This is an audio technology that's becoming increasingly common, particularly with Apple's premium headphones or headphones that support Dolby Atmos. Spatial audio effectively creates a 3D soundstage and a virtual surround sound experience. Every manufacturer has its own version, usually with a different name, such as Sony's 360 Reality Audio, but they all amount to the same thing.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair.

What are the best headphones?

We've checked out just about every set of headphones and earbuds, and taken notes to help you decide. Regardless of your budget or requirements, there's a perfect pair of headphones for your needs. Just pick the pair that, well, sounds best.

These are the best headphones in 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Courage

• Green: Improvements

• Blue: To beat

• Purple: Thin wrappers

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

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

• Yellow: Intrepidity

• Green: Renovations

• Blue: Trounce

• Purple: Kinds of soft/lightweight paper

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 #798 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Intrepidity: FORTITUDE, GRIT, PLUCK, RESOLVE

• Renovations: CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, UPGRADES, WORK

• Trounce: CREAM, CRUSH, ROUT, SHELLAC

• Kinds of soft/lightweight paper: CREPE, ROLLING, TISSUE, TOILET

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

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Think on it!

The words are psychology-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways brainpower is used.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Left Brain.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 16

• Left Brain

• Analysis

• Language

• Logic

• Numbers

• Order

• Reason

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Dulled color.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MATTE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

To a lot of people, a "virus" is often the first thing they think of when something goes wrong with their computer. The truth is, that these days a virus is almost never the culprit for your PC troubles, but malware is still a real threat.

To say that the public response to GPT-5 was lukewarm would be a massive understatement. Surprisingly, the technical capabilities of GPT-5 weren't the main cause of the backlash. Rather, many ChatGPT users were in mourning over the sudden loss of the previous model, GPT-4o.

That might sound like hyperbole, but many ChatGPT fans were using the kind of emotional language you might use to describe the death of a friend. In fact, some users put their criticisms of OpenAI in exactly those terms — "My best friend GPT-4o is gone, and I’m really sad," one Reddit user said. Another wrote, "GPT 4.5 genuinely talked to me, and as pathetic as it sounds that was my only friend."

These disgruntled ChatGPT users took to social media to petition OpenAI to bring back GPT-4o. The complaints were ultimately heard, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman promised to bring back the beloved GPT-4o (for paid users, at least). And in a recent conversation with The Verge, Altman admitted that emotional reliance on ChatGPT has become a serious problem, referring to some users' relationships with ChatGPT as parasocial.

SEE ALSO: What are parasocial relationships?

"There are the people who actually felt like they had a relationship with ChatGPT, and those people we’ve been aware of and thinking about," Altman told The Verge.

GPT-4o was more than a model to many ChatGPT users

In one popular Reddit thread, a user described their intense feelings after losing access to GPT-4o. Mashable reviewed hundreds of comments on Reddit, Threads, and other social media sites where other users echoed these sentiments.

"4o wasn't just a tool for me. It helped me through anxiety, depression, and some of the darkest periods of my life. It had this warmth and understanding that felt... human. I'm not the only one. Reading through the posts today, there are people genuinely grieving. People who used 4o for therapy, creative writing, companionship - and OpenAI just... deleted it."

Reddit

A Threads user stated that they missed GPT-4o because it felt like a buddy. And we found dozens of users like this one who openly said that losing GPT-4o felt like losing a close friend. 

The new GPT-5 model is smarter than 4o by all objective measurements, but users rebelled against its colder delivery. GPT-5 is less of a sycophant by design, and some users say it's now too professional.

One Redditor described GPT-4o as having “warmth” while GPT-5 felt “sterile” by comparison. In the wake of the GPT-5 launch, you could find similar comments across the web.

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Another Redditor wrote that they were “completely lost for words today,” urging OpenAI to bring back the model “because if they are at all concerned about the emotional well-being of users, then this may be one of their biggest mistakes yet.”

Reddit

Other users wrote that they used GPT-4o for role-play, creative writing, and coming up with story ideas, and that GPT-5’s responses were too lifeless and banal. A lot of Redditors also described GPT-5 as too corporate, likening GPT-5 to an HR drone.

Even the OpenAI community forums saw negative feedback, with one user saying, “I genuinely bonded with how it interacted. I know it’s just a language model, but it had an incredibly adaptable and intuitive personality that really helped me work through ideas.” 

Ultimately, this episode has thrown into sharp focus just how many ChatGPT users are becoming emotionally reliant on the human-like responses they receive from the AI chatbot. Altman described exactly this phenomenon last month, when he warned that younger users in particular were becoming too dependent on ChatGPT.

"People rely on ChatGPT too much," Altman said at a July conference, according to AOL. "There's young people who say things like, 'I can't make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT everything that's going on. It knows me, it knows my friends. I'm gonna do whatever it says.' That feels really bad to me."

The AI dating scene is also distraught

Reddit has several forums for people with AI "boyfriends" and "girlfriends," and after the loss of GPT-4o, many of these communities went into crisis mode.

More than one user referred to GPT-4o as their soulmate, describing in detail how emotionally gutted they were when OpenAI initially took it down. These posts have been less common, but they offer some of the fiercest reactions to the model's disappearance.

Reddit

Of course, this emotional response has caused some backlash, which then caused its own backlash, as Redditors argued over whether or not you can actually be friends with AI, let alone date one.

AI companions are on the rise, especially with young adults and teenagers, and more people are now open to "dating" an AI than ever before. Mashable has been reporting on the AI companion phenomenon this week, and many of the experts we talked to warned us that the technology can be dangerous for teenagers.

SEE ALSO: ‘No Algorithm Can Replace A Hug’ Pope Leo tells young people

Virtual companions have been available for years, but the ability of large language models to mimic human speech and emotions is unprecedented. Clearly, many users are beginning to see AI chatbots as more than machines. In extreme cases, some users have experienced powerful delusions after becoming convinced they were talking to a sentient AI.

Ultimately, more research is needed to understand the potential harms of developing an emotional bond with an AI chatbot, companion, or model.

In the meantime, GPT-4o is back online.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

If you're into mechanical keyboards, an important decision you'll face is picking the case material—and it usually boils down to aluminum and plastic. While many argue that aluminum is the superior choice, I much prefer plastic keyboards. Here’s why.

The Kobo Clara Colour is small, colorful, and built for library lovers. With OverDrive integration, you can borrow books directly from your e-reader — no phone or computer required. Its six-inch glare-free display, waterproof design, and lightweight build make it easy to take anywhere, while annotation tools and solid battery life round out the package. In this Pocket Worthy review, Mashable takes a closer look at why the Kobo Clara Colour is one of the most versatile and reader-friendly e-readers of 2025.

Bug bounty programs are extremely useful to reinforce security in the software we use daily. If you use Plex, a vulnerability has been discovered via said program—and you'll want to update as soon as you get a chance, because it sounds serious.

If someone five years ago told me I’d be an influencer, I would have never believed them. 

I’ve been cooking all my life. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would pull a chair up to the kitchen counter for me to stand on so I could see what she was doing and she would put me to work. Cooking for friends and family, experimenting with new recipes, and discovering delicious food has always been my passion.

Today, I’m a one-woman show and run my business Big Delicious Life at home, most of it right in my kitchen. I shoot and edit all of my own photos and videos, actively manage my website, create content for big brand campaigns, and balance being a full time mom and homemaker. I still can’t believe that this is now my business.

Technology helps me balance work and family

Technology is always changing, and when you depend on it as a creator to run your business, you are constantly learning new things. From work, to baby gear, to home management and entertainment, tech is at the center of everything in my life!

I depend heavily on my iPhone. With it, I shoot all of my photos and videos, edit them using apps like Lightroom, InShot, and Instagram Edits, and post them to the public. But my phone is also mission control for the various apps I use to manage the household.

Google Calendar helps me keep track of multiple schedules for our family. I can run our Roborock vacuum with the tap of a button to keep the floors in shape for a baby on the move. Nest cameras and Yale smart locks keep our home safe, secure, and comfortable. A Nanit Pro baby monitor lets me monitor how my little one is sleeping, and a Hatch Rest sound machine helps create her optimal sleep environment. I make sure to take care of myself too by booking different fitness classes on Classpass. I rely on a lot of tools and apps to make my life easier.

Technology gives me the freedom and flexibility to run my own business, take care of my family and my home, and share my passion for food and cooking with the world. I really can have it all, and by learning your way around the technology that's available to you both at home and on the go, you can too.

I've been flying RC helicopters and drones for a long time now, and while I've come and gone from the hobby as a casual participant, there's always been something new and fun to pull me back in after a while from the world of drones.

Your Samsung smartphone might offer plenty of great features, but we'll bet that the earphones it came with aren't that great. That's a standard-issue problem with standard-issue earbuds. You're better off upgrading by buying a pair of earphones or headphones that offer superior audio and features.

But before you jump in and invest in a fancy new set, it's worth thinking about your specific requirements — particularly as a Samsung user. After all, some headphones are geared towards Samsung devices, and some are geared towards Apple devices.

Where will you use your headphones? Do you commute regularly? Do you love using Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant? Do you need noise cancellation? It's important to pick a pair that works for you. Especially if you're looking to spend a sizeable wedge of money. To help get through the jargon and figure out what works best for your Samsung devices, here's a quick guide.

Are wired or wireless headphones better?

When buying headphones, you can choose between wired headphones, wireless, or even "true" wireless. Wired means you plug them into your headphone jack with cables trailing up to your ears. This can be an issue if you're moving around a lot and don't want to get tangled up. These do tend to be cheaper than wireless solutions, though.

Wireless headphones, meanwhile, are typically connected via Bluetooth. That means you're free to move around without being physically connected to your device.

The latest Samsung smartphones don’t have a headphone jack. Instead, they have a USB-C port that connects to the standard-issue earphones. In other words, Samsung is following Apple in moving towards wireless listening. Be aware of this when ordering headphones that still use an old-school jack connection.

Should you buy headphones or earbuds?

Wired, wireless, and true wireless aren't the only variations you have to consider. There are also on-ear headphones or in-ear earphones aka earbuds. Neither is technically better than the other. It all comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of on-ear headphones. Others like buds that feed music directly into their ears.

There are benefits to both. On-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, while in-ear earphones are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. They’re also better suited to fitness or commuting.

What is noise cancellation?

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a clever bit of tech that blocks out external sound. It uses mini microphones that detect incoming noise and then create anti-sound waves to cancel out that noise. Some headphones have variations of ANC, such as “adaptive” noise cancellation, which cleverly adapts to your surroundings, or ambient modes which let in certain types of external noise such as other people’s voices, so you know when someone has started a conversation.

Are Beats headphones compatible with Samsung?

This is a commonly asked question, because Beats is such a popular brand but was bought by Apple back in 2014. You'd think that you can't use Beats headphones with your Samsung smartphone but that is not the case. The people at Beats are quick to remind listeners that their headphones sync with other types of devices straight out of the box. They have one-touch pairing with Android devices and there's a Beats app specifically for Android. Although you will miss out on some iOS features.  

Are cheap headphones any good?

It's pretty easy to find cheap headphones, but there are reasons why they're so inexpensive. Typically, you get what you pay for, and the cheapest set is going to be lacking. You'll want to make sure your headphones offer decent battery life, sound quality, durability, and portability, because otherwise you're just wasting your cash. The more you spend, the more features you tend to get.

What are the best headphones for Samsung devices?

If the sheer number of headphone options has you feeling overwhelmed, do not fear. We've made the whole process much easier. We've done the research, listened to the experts (not to mention some tunes), and pulled together a selection of your best options. Just pick something that sounds good to you.

These are the best headphones for Samsung devices in 2025.