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SAVE 47%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead vacuum cleaner for $199.99, down from $379.99, at Walmart. That's $180 off.

Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Canister Vacuum $199.99 at Walmart
$349.99 Save $150 Get Deal

As the owner of two beagles, I can tell you a powerful vacuum isn't a luxury — it's a necessity. The problem is, the best brands (we're looking at you, Dyson) often come with a hefty price tag that can feel out of reach. That's why this deal from Walmart immediately caught our eye.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead vacuum cleaner for $199.99, down from $379.99, at Walmart. That's a 47% discount, saving you $180 and getting you into the Dyson family for less.

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

The Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead vacuum cleaner comes with four additional tools, including a Turbinehead tool that adjusts for carpets, rugs, and hard floors. This model also features a 360-degree handle for easy maneuvering and a clever self-righting mechanism, so if it gets knocked over, it picks itself right back up. Plus, it uses Dyson's Radial Root Cyclone technology to suck up stubborn pet hair, dander, and other debris, even from thick carpeting.

The time has come to bid farewell to Carrie Bradshaw, the patron saint of looking for love in all the wrong places. The final episode of And Just Like That... brings to a close the reboot, which viewers balk at yet somehow can't look away.

Since first gracing our screens in 1998 in the very first episode of Sex and the City, Carrie's (Sarah Jessica Parker) place in popular culture has been firmly cemented as the complex, romantic, independent, vulnerable, and at times infuriating single gal about town. Despite the shortcomings of both Sex and the City and And Just Like That..., it feels emotional to be saying goodbye to Carrie (well, again). Over the years, she's been a dependable companion to us single gals, those finding themselves in the Wild West that is modern dating, the diehard romantics, the unlucky-in-loves, and people who've had their heart broken.

SEE ALSO: Why the ending of 'And Just Like That...' is a total triumph

Several generations of viewers (myself included) have looked to the four female leads of SATC as an alternative Myers-Briggs personality test — "I'm such a Carrie!" "I'm Charlotte-coded, but a Samantha at heart." 27 years since that first episode, Carrie Bradshaw's impact is still being felt. Sex and the City discourse is alive and well on TikTok, resuscitated by a new wave of Gen-Z viewers streaming the show on HBO Max. In mainstream pop culture, the SATC references have been ever-present; in the last year, Gen Z icon Olivia Rodrigo wore a bejewelled top with the words "Carrie Bradshaw AF" while performing at Madison Square Garden, and in "Nissan Altima," our Grammy-winning Swamp Princess, Doechii, rapped, "I'm like Carrie Bradshaw with a back brace on."

As Carrie's final ever on-screen appearance (until the next reboot at least) arrived, I couldn't help but wonder: What is the enduring appeal of this character?

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in 1998, the year "Sex and the City" first aired. Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

As a millennial 30-something looking for love, Carrie Bradshaw has long occupied a space in my heart. Growing up in the 2000s, I watched SATC in my bedroom on terrestrial TV (remember that?) before I'd even so much as kissed a boy for the first time. Is this how my thirties were going to be? I wondered as a teen. Not having a boyfriend had never looked so glitteringly fabulous.

As a millennial 30-something looking for love, Carrie Bradshaw has long occupied a space in my heart.

Like many women, this show continues to stay with me as I grow older. In my twenties, I visited New York and did a Sex and the City tour of Manhattan, posing for photos outside Carrie's apartment building at 245 East 73rd Street (although the actual brownstone is in the West Village), stopping for cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, and sipping a Cosmopolitan at Scout, the bar Steve (David Eigenberg) and Aidan (John Corbett) owned together. The SATC fan pilgrimage was rendered all the more poignant because I was going through a heartbreaking chapter of my own, being ghosted by a man I had feelings for, and mulling over whether or not to send the dreaded paragraph to him (I did in the end).

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When I'm going through heartbreak or even just a confusing dating experience, I turn to this show for comfort, for answers, for validation. Even now in my mid-thirties, I see myself in Carrie in her refusal to settle for a relationship that's lacking in the kind of love she deserves. "I'm looking for love," Carrie declared in the final episode of Sex and the City. "Real love Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."

Let's not ignore Sex and the City's problematic moments

Despite her importance to fans, it's impossible to gloss over the fact that Carrie is a deeply flawed character. She's self-involved, lacking in accountability, selfish, and has a habit of flaking on her friends, even in their time of need. But there's a larger problem.

Like many sitcoms from the '90s and '00s, there are aspects of Sex and the City that do not hold up through a modern lens. The lack of diversity is one of the most glaring downfalls of the series. The four protagonists are white, privileged, cisgender, and their experiences (at least in the original show) are centred around dating and sleeping with men. Racist, reductive stereotypes rear their ugly head throughout the series. In a rare inclusion of Black characters, Season 3, episode 5 sees Samantha (Kim Cattrall) date record label executive Chivon (Asio Highsmith) in a portrayal that has not aged well at all. All in the space of one episode we get hypersexualised discussion of Chivon's penis, references to Black culture as "urban," and the depiction of Chivon's sister Adeena (Sundra Oakley) as a controlling "angry Black woman". It is a mess of an episode.

Again, in Season 3, episode 18, titled "Cock-a-Doodle-Do," deals with two sets of noisy neighbours for Carrie, but in doing so, appears to liken Black trans sex workers lives as akin to those of caged chickens. Throw in Carrie putting on an AAVE accent at the end of the episode, and I got to thinking: were any Black or trans writers present in the writing room? (There weren't.)

When And Just Like That... launched in 2021, viewers got the sense that those criticisms surrounding diversity had been heard. Co-creator Michael Patrick King brought in a more diverse writers room, including writers Samantha Irby, Keli Goff, and Rachna Fruchbom. Irby told Vogue in 2021, “I was a huge fan of Sex and the City back in the day. But there were some moments where I was like, If there had been a Black writer in the room, this would have probably played differently." Goff told Deadline that King was "open to really listening" to the writers.

New friends Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker), Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez), and Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) were added to the girl gang in an attempt to fill the chasm that Samantha's absence left behind. One storyline running across all three seasons is Charlotte's child Rock's (Alexa Swinton) gender identity. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) leaves Steve and begins exploring her queer identity. But, despite clear efforts to make the show more inclusive, the show overall felt jarring for many viewers who wanted more from the reboot.

Nicole Ari Parker, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarita Choudhury, Cynthia Nixon. Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images Sex and the 'complicated single girl' representation

What was it about Carrie that captured the collective attention of viewers in the late '90s and 2000s?

Over the past few decades, "single girl" representation has come a long way, bringing complex, sometimes problematic, relatable, and realistic single women to our screens. Hannah, Jessa, Marnie, and Shoshanna from Girls, Issa Dee in Insecure, Abbie and Ilana in Broad City, Mindy in The Mindy Project, to name a few.

SEE ALSO: 12 single TV characters who'll always have a place in our hearts

The "sad single girl" trope doesn't really have a place on our screens anymore, but we've also lost our cultural fixation on the need for our single girls to be likeable, palatable to male viewers, role models to women. They can just be. But it hasn't always been that way.

The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum wrote a piece in 2013 examining the complicated legacy of Sex and the City, and highlighted the new era of complicated single woman representation that the show ushered in. Nussbaum argued that our four SATC heroines were markedly different from the "you-go-girl types" such as That Girl, Mary Tyler Moore, and Molly Dodd.

"In contrast, Carrie and her friends — Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte — were odder birds by far, jagged, aggressive, and sometimes frightening figures, like a makeup mirror lit up in neon," wrote Nussbaum.

From left to right: Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. Credit: Getty Images

"And, with the exception of Charlotte (Kristin Davis), men didn’t find them likable: there were endless cruel jokes about Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Carrie as sluts, man-haters, or gold-diggers. To me, as a single woman, it felt like a definite sign of progress: since the elemental representation of single life at the time was the comic strip “Cathy” (ack! chocolate!), better that one’s life should be viewed as glamorously threatening than as sad and lonely."

What will become of Carrie Bradshaw's legacy?

Where do we go from here? Will Carrie's legacy live on beyond the show, the movies, and the reboot? While we might not be getting any new episodes of And Just Like That..., Carrie won't be disappearing from our screens. Sex and the City and And Just Like That... are shows that viewers will return to time and time again. Diehard fans embrace the totality of her character, flaws and all — they don't embellish or pretend she's perfect.

Dylan B Jones, co-host of So I Got To Thinking podcast, tells Mashable that Carrie embodies a desire "that lurks inside all of us — the freedom to live and behave like an absolute dickhead and somehow get away with it."

"She taps cigarette ash onto pristine carpets, slops martinis onto beautiful floors, turns up late on no sleep to fashion shoots, cheats and lies her way through relationships and somehow still comes out of it beloved by all who behold her. She embodies selfish oblivion, and that, for many of us, is the unattainable 21st century dream," says Jones.

Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall on location for "Sex and the City: The Movie" in 2007. Credit: Getty Images / Brian Ach/ WireImage

Maiia Krylova, founder of @carriebradshaws_outfits, an Instagram account dedicated to Carrie's enviable wardrobe, says Carrie's legacy will endure "because she represented more than fashion, she was the voice of freedom, imperfection, and the magic of being a woman."

"She gave us permission to embrace contradictions: to be vulnerable yet strong, romantic yet independent, glamorous yet relatable. Through her, women saw that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary and that our stories, with all their flaws and detours, are worth telling," Krylova tells Mashable.

Carrie as a character will stay with us, I think, because she holds an at-times unflattering mirror up to us. When she's on good form, we gleefully declare we're "such a Carrie," but when she fucks up (which she so often does), we feel a keen disappointment. And yet, we carry on watching. She's like a friend we can't help but forgive.

As Big once said: "You're worth a million bucks, Bradshaw." It was one of the rare occasions that I actually agreed with him.

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 15, get the Beats Solo 4 headphones at Amazon for $99.95, down from their usual price of $199.95. That's a discount of 50%.

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

It's that time again: back to school. If you're sending some of the family back to class, or you're heading there yourself, one useful thing to add to your shopping list is a good pair of headphones. There are tons of models to choose from, sure, but if you're looking for an over-the-ear option, a pair of Beats headphones usually means you've got an excellent pick on your hands. And you can save a significant amount of money on a pair right now.

As of Aug. 15, get the Beats Solo 4 headphones for $99.95, down from their usual price of $199.95, at Amazon. That's $100 off for a discount of 50%, and just a couple of dollars away from their lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: I found the exact headphones Taylor Swift wore to announce her new album — and they're on sale

These headphones are perfect for long listening sessions, whether that means bopping along to your favorite tunes, podcasts, or having conversations with others. They boast a lengthy listening time of up to 50 hours, as well as high-quality sound with Personalized Spatial Audio. That means they can make you feel like you're right in the middle of the music, thanks to their head-tracking ability.

They're also built with an ultralight frame that includes super plush ear cups so they're comfortable for wearing all day or through lengthy meetings. When they're low on charge, you can also utilize their FastFuel feature to get five hours of playtime back with just 10 minutes of charging.

Now's a great time to grab a pair of these solid headphones, especially since you can save so much on them right now.

SAVE 15%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker (two pints included) for $169, down from $199, at Walmart. That's a 15% discount and a $30 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja CREAMi (NC300) $169 at Walmart
$199 Save $30 Get Deal

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a frozen treat — and it's even better when you can make it fresh at home.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker for $169, down from $199, at Walmart. That's a 15% discount and a $30 savings.

SEE ALSO: The Ninja Swirl is even better and more fun than the original Creami

The Ninja CREAMi is one of Mashable’s Hype Test subjects. Our shopping reporter, Samantha Mangino, says it’s ideal for meal preppers who like to experiment with new flavor combinations and control the ingredients in their frozen desserts.

“The Ninja Creami is fun to use; I get the hype,” writes Mangino. “Rather than going on a trip to get ice cream, you're having a little adventure in your kitchen. If you're a planner and/or an ice cream fanatic, the Creami will be a delightful addition as you plan your pints of the week.”

It has five built-in programs for ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, lite ice cream, and mix-in options. Just prepare your base, freeze it overnight, and process it through the machine. The re-spin function gives you the option to make it even creamier after your first pass, and it’s also the trick for making leftover frozen treats from previous batches soft and scoopable again.

Hurricane Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 season on Friday as it continues its journey across the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center is currently predicting the storm to turn north and curl away from United States east coast without ever making landfall. Spaghetti models, which represent a collection of predicted paths generated by multiple computer models, currently support these predictions.

However, the NHC predicts the storm is likely to bring several inches of rain to Puerto Rico and encourages residents there to monitor Erin's progress.

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As of Friday morning, Hurricane Erin has reached 75 mph sustained maximum wind speeds. It's currently located 460 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands and is traveling west-northwest at 18 mph, according to the 11 a.m. ET Friday NHC forecast.

The latest forecasts, updated multiple times daily, can be tracked online on the National Hurricane Center website.

SAVE $24: As of Aug. 15, you can grab a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers at Amazon for just $59.99 instead of $83.99. That's 29% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers (4-pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$83.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

In the chaos of back-to-school season, it's easy to misplace things. If your kids (or you) are regularly losing their backpacks, keys, water bottles, lunchboxes, musical instruments, and other essentials, Bluetooth trackers are a must-have. And for a limited time, you can grab a pack of trackers for the whole family for a steal.

As of Aug. 15, a four-pack of Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers at Amazon is on sale for only $59.99. That's nearly 30% off the usual cost of $83.99 and its lowest price on record.

One of the OGs in the Bluetooth tracker world, the Tile Mate has gone through quite a few upgrades over the years — and it's still one of our favorites. While many trackers are specific to Apple, Samsung, or Google, Tile is device agnostic and uses its own network (via the Life360 app). That makes it a great choice for households with both Android and Apple devices.

The thing is, because the Tile network is less developed than Apple's or Samsung's, the Bluetooth range is a bit smaller (only 350 feet). That doesn't mean it's not great at finding things; it just means it works better for finding household items rather than lost luggage. Attach them to things like keys, backpacks, lunchboxes, or whatever else is constantly getting misplaced. Then just press a button on your phone, and you can ring the tracker to find it. Or you can even press a button on the Tile Mate itself if your phone is the thing that's gone missing.

Got kids who walk home from school or the bus stop? The Tile Mate can also serve as a silent alarm, thanks to an SOS feature that alerts loved ones if they're in danger.

It may not be the first thing you think of on your back-to-school shopping list, but Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers can help lessen the chaos of the season. Grab a four-pack for under $60 while you can.

SAVE 23%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones for $99.98, down from $129.99, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and a $30.01 savings.

soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones $99.98 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.01 Get Deal

Tired of headphones that either cover your whole head or plug up your ears? We found a great deal on the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker, our favorite ear-hook headphones to date.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones for $99.98, down from $129.99, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and a $30.01 savings.

The AeroFit 2 feature an open-ear design that rests comfortably on the ear without entering the ear canal. (This is a huge plus for me personally, since my AirPods almost always fall out.) The adjustable ear hooks make it easier to bring the sound closer without blocking the ear canal, and you can get a max boost of 7.5dB.

SEE ALSO: The new Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are dropping at the end of the month: What to know

They’re not noise-cancelling, but for the price, they’re still a solid choice for anyone who can’t stand traditional headphones. You’ll also get 10 hours of playtime on a single charge (which is extendable to 42 hours with the wireless charging case).

One of the coolest features of these headphones is that they have a free AI translation function that supports 100 languages with real-time response. To use it, you’ll need to download the Soundcore app to version 3.8.7 or later and make sure the earbud firmware is updated to the latest version.

SAVE UP TO 28%: As of Aug. 15, Stasher reusable food storage bags are on sale for up to 28% off at Amazon in a variety of sizes and colors — just in time for back to school season.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Stasher Back-to-School Sale Up to 28% off select bags Shop Now

A new school year doesn't just bring new teachers, friends, supplies, and classes. It also brings an opportunity to make different choices. This year, you can make more environmentally-conscious decisions in your household by swapping your single-use sandwich bags for silicone ones that can go in the dishwasher.

Our favorite reusable food storage brand, Stasher, is having a back-to-school sale via Amazon. As of Aug. 15, you can save up to 28% on these sustainable bags in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Stasher is a Shark Tank-famous brand known for its colorful, yet slightly expensive, bags and bowls. You may get a bit of sticker shock at first glance. However, if you take into account how much you spend on throw-away Ziploc baggies throughout the school year, the price is more justifiable. It also helps that prices are slashed by 20% or more on several options.

The bags are made from durable platinum silicone, which is heat resistant up to 425 degrees, food-safe, and free of BPA, latex, and phthalates. Beyond keeping your kids' lunches fresh and intact, Stasher bags can be used in the freezer, microwave, boiling water, and even the oven. Then just toss them in the dishwasher after each use. It might be a bit of a lifestyle change at first, but this swap can really make a difference.

Here are some of the best Stasher bag deals at Amazon during the back-to-school sale.

• Stasher Sandwich bag — $9.99 $12.99 (save $3)

• Stasher bags 2-pack (1 Sandwich and 1 Snack) — $16.79 $20.99 (save $4.20)

• Stasher bags 2-pack (1 Cup and 2 Cup Bowl) — $21.51 $26.99 (save $5.48)

• Stasher Stand Up Mid bag (56-ounce) — $19.99 $23.99 (save $4.80)

• Stasher bags 3-pack (1 Cup, 2 Cup, and 4 Cup Bowl) — $35.06 $48.99 (save $13.93)

• Stasher bags 4-pack (1 Half Gallon, 2 Sandwich, 1 Snack) — $46.74 $54.99 (save $8.25)

• Stasher bags 4-pack (1 Stand Up Mid, 1 Half Gallon, 1 Sandwich, 1 Snack) — $52.72 $65.99 (save $13.27)

• Stasher bags 7-pack (1 Stand Up Mid, 1 Half Gallon, 1 Stand Up Mini, 2 Sandwich, 2 Snack) — $83.99 $104.99 (save $21)

SAVE $12: As of Aug. 15, get the Dreamegg White Noise Machine for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $31.99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dreamegg White Noise Machine $19.99 at Amazon
$31.99 Save $12 Get Deal

It's time to head back to school, and whether it's you hitting the books or your kids who will soon be roaming the halls, going back well-rested is important. What better way to lull yourself or the kids to sleep than with a white noise machine? It's a super simple way to help you drift off to dreamland or improve your sleep quality. Or, it can be used as a way to help everyone focus on their studies. If you'd like to bring home one that's affordable just in time for the new year, you can shop this Amazon deal.

As of Aug. 15, get the Dreamegg White Noise Machine for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $31.99. That's $12 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals to shop this week feature plenty of impressive back to school savings

This ultra-portable white noise machine offers 21 different sounds, from soothing heartbeats for the little ones to ocean noises to keep you stress-free and focused. It has white noise, sure, but it also has fan sounds, thunderstorms, and even a vacuum cleaner option for variety. It'll play for hours to help you get to sleep and stay that way, thanks to its 1,800mAh battery. You can leave it on for guided study or de-stressing sessions, whatever works for you.

If you're putting the device in a bedroom, it's highly visible at night with glow in the dark buttons, simple controls, and a child lock to help keep little hands from changing the sound or timer when it's set and ready to go. Most importantly, it's so small you can take it or put it anywhere in your home since it doesn't need a power cord to run.

It's the perfect time to invest in a white noise machine, and this one is an excellent price, so make sure you grab it before the bell rings on the first day of school.

SAVE 33%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the Birdfy AI smart bird feeder for $134, down from $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount and $66 in savings.

NETVUE by Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Yellow) $134 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $65.99 Get Deal

If you’ve had your eye on the Bird Buddy, but aren’t sure about the price, we found a deal on one of its competitors that offers comparable features at a lower price.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Birdfy AI smart bird feeder for $134, down from $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount and a $66 savings. Note: This deal is only available with the on-screen coupon, so be sure to click it before adding anything to your cart. At this price, it would make a great gift for the holidays.

SEE ALSO: Bird Buddy's new pollinator cam is a Kickstarter hit: I got to see it in person

The Birdfy feeder has an 1080p HD camera and is IP65 waterproof, so you can check in on your avian visitors no matter what Mother Nature has planned. There’s even a built-in infrared night vision feature that makes it easier to see nocturnal bird activity.

With AI alerts and manual squirrel control, you can get real-time notifications sent straight to your phone whenever a squirrel appears, and you can scare it away directly from the app with flashing lights, sounds, or even your own voice through the microphone. Plus, all your adorable bird videos and photos are kept safe in NETVUE's secure cloud storage.

If you have to have a Bird Buddy, they are having a sale on their website right now where you can get up to 38% off select feeders. But, they’ll still run you more than the discounted Birdfy AI.

After 15 years, Warby Parker's signature Home Try-On program will soon be kaput. The eyewear giant is discontinuing the try-before-you-buy service that made it famous at the end of 2025 as it expands its brick-and-mortar presence and leans into virtual tools, it announced on a quarterly earnings call this month.

Since Warby Parker's inception in 2010, shoppers have been able to order up to five frames to try on at home for five days. The process, which was completely free (including shipping and returns), made it easier to buy glasses online.

In its 2021 IPO, Warby Parker said Home Try-On was "very unique to our business. It is a viral brand awareness program that pays for itself as we maintain an exceptionally high conversion rate from Home Try-On purchases."

SEE ALSO: Google's 'Try it on' AI shopping tool impressed and mortified me, and now you can try it too

Now, Warby Parker is phasing out the program in favor of in-person and digital experiences. The company cut the ribbon on its 300th store in July and plans to open "shop-in-shops" at five Target locations in the second half of 2025, with more in the works for 2026.

"The vast majority of recent home try-on customers live within 30 minutes of a Warby Parker store," said co-founder and co-CEO Neil Blumenthal on the earnings call. "As we've scaled and Home Try-On has become a less meaningful driver of our e-commerce business, and as we have seen strong growth from customers directly purchasing glasses online and in our stores, we've decided to sunset the program at the end of this year."

For customers who don't want to venture out, Warby Parker offers a Virtual Try-On feature online and recently launched an AI-powered shopping assistant called "Advisor" in its iOS app. The latter is seeing "very strong adoption in terms of engagement and sales," leading to less of a need for Home-Try On, said outgoing CFO Steve Miller on the call.

I'm a previous Warby Parker customer and Home Try-On user, and I haven't received any communication from the brand about the program ending — nor has it been posted on Warby Parker's website or social media accounts. Warby Parker's Home Try-On program was still available at the time of writing, though only 91 of its 296 styles were eligible.

Warby Parker is the second retailer to scrap a home try-on program this year. In January, Amazon ended its "Try Before You Buy" perk for Prime members, which included clothes, shoes, and accessories, citing its limited scope and a rise in shoppers' use of virtual tools.

UPDATE: Aug. 15, 2025, 9:15 a.m. EDT When reached for comment, a rep for Warby Parker referred Mashable to a transcript of its Q2 earnings call. This story has been updated with additional context from that call.

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: Meat options

• Green: To cover a payment

• Blue: Excellent

• Purple: A common allergen

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: Poultry cuts

• Green: Handle, as a bill

• Blue: Splendid

• Purple: Starts of culinary nuts

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 #797 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Poultry cuts: BREAST, TENDER, THIGH, WING

• Handle, as a bill: FOOT, PAY, SETTLE, TAKE CARE OF

• Splendid: BRILLIANT, CAPITAL, FINE, GRAND

• Starts of culinary nuts: CASH, HAZE, MAC, PEC

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: Labor intensive

The words are work-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are household tasks

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 What a Chore.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 15

• Vacuuming

• Garbage

• What a Chore

• Laundry

• Dishes

• Groceries

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:

A criminal.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter 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...

FELON.

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.

Animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky is beloved by audiences of all ages, thanks to his work on Cartoon Network shows like Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, along with the Hotel Transylvania film series. However his latest project, Netflix's Fixed, is decidedly aimed at adults only.

The R-rated comedy follows the story of a mutt named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine), who makes the horrifying discovery that he's going to be neutered in a day. That gives him one last night of debauchery with his friends — and his balls. And yes, Bull's balls are visible throughout the film. In one trippy sequence, he even hallucinates that they're talking to him!

SEE ALSO: 'Fixed' fulfills the promise of the 'Cats' butthole cut: Review

Tartakovsky stopped by Mashable's Say More to chat all things Fixed, and to draw some of his most iconic characters, including Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory. In the above clip from the full interview, he delves into the 2D animation of the film.

"[Fixed] is everything that I loved in animation, but bringing it to be modern and contemporary, and still using the same techniques that they were using in the '40s and '50s," Tartakovsky told Mashable.

Inspirations from this era included Warner Bros. cartoons, like Looney Tunes and Tex Avery cartoons, all staples of the golden age of American animation.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Aug. 15, 2025)

"A nerdy animation thing that I loved about those old Warner Bros. and Tex Avery cartoons is all the very specific character animation," Tartakovsky said. "Because the movement wasn't realistic, that's the thing, that's what I fell in love with. It was very specific to what the characters and what the animator could draw."

He continued: "So when I started doing animation, and when people laugh at a movement that you created from nothing, that was like, 'I'm hooked.' It's like me doing stand-up on stage, without having any of that pressure and all that stuff. I could do the stand-up through the movement that I create."

For more from Tartakovsky, including the logistics of animating dog balls, check out our Say More full interview on YouTube, where he also whips up gorgeous drawings of Samurai Jack and Bull.

Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.

Robot athletes are going for the gold in Beijing, China, as the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games kicked off on Thursday.

As reported by Reuters, the event, held within Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, involves over 500 humanoid robots across 280 teams from 16 countries including China, the U.S., Brazil, and Germany. The teams come from both global universities and private robotics companies including China's Unitree Robotics, Noetix Robotics, and Fourier Intelligence.

SEE ALSO: Humanoid robots are learning to move like real athletes

Remotely operated by their human teams, the robots will be tested for agility and skill competing in 26 events like football, martial arts, gymnastics, and track and field events like running and a 100-metre obstacle race. The robots must fit a long list of criteria including that they "must be self-developed, purchased or leased by the participating teams," they "must have a trunk, upper limbs, and two feet," and "should have their own energy sources." There are also event-specific restrictions, like robots competing in long jump or high jump events can't use elastic or take-off devices.

The games expands on multiple robot sporting events held in China this year, including the world’s first humanoid half-marathon in April and a robot kickboxing match in May.

Running... Credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images ...boxing... Credit: Han Haidan / China News Service/VCG via Getty Images ...football. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Unitree won the first gold of the event on Friday, with one of its speedy Unitree H1 humanoid robots finishing the 1,500-metre race at 6:34.

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Various media sites are running livestreamed coverage of the World Humanoid Robot Games including Reuters and the South China Morning Post, if you want to catch up on the action. The games run until Sunday and there are tickets being sold to the public.

It's quite something, seeing human teams running alongside their robotic representatives on the track, and watching robot football players shuffle across the small field, raising their arms in victory as their stressed out human controllers buzz around laptops on the sideline. There are various falls and not a drop of sweat in sight (on the athletes, at least).

Ooft. Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Thursday's opening ceremony is also worth a watch, robots wearing Labubu lucky charms, a full robot band, tiny robots dancing alongside human children, a robot fashion parade, and panda robots demonstrating martial arts.

Featured Video For You Humanoid Robot Boxing: Unitree G1 Battle Royale

The organisers of the World Humanoid Robot Games — the Beijing Municipal People's Government, China Central Radio and Television, the World Robotics Cooperation Organization, and the Robocup Asia-Pacific International Council — said in an online statement that the point of the event was to "build an international platform integrating technological competition, economic promotion, and international exchange."

"By establishing a competitive and showcase platform, the tournament aims to accelerate and enhance the integration of robots into human life, contribute to economic and social progress, and foster the deep integration of science, technology, sports, and culture," the statement reads.

Competitive robotics events aren't new, but it's the scale of the World Humanoid Robot Games that marks a global PR opportunity for China amid its rapid expansion of robot production to compete with the U.S.. China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced plans in March to invest ¥1 trillion ($138 billion) into robotics over the next two decades. Plus, the country increased industrial robot installation by five percent in 2024, and now owns the world's largest robot market.

Seth Meyers has already laid in to Donald Trump's announcement that he'll be hosting this year's Kennedy Center Honors, but on Thursday he took aim at one specific part: Trump claiming that he filtered some artists out on the basis that they were "too woke".

"I would say I was about 98 percent involved," Trump said at a press conference, discussing the selection process. "I turned down plenty: They were too woke. I had a couple of wokesters."

"I'm sorry, did he say 'wokesters'? A wokester sounds like a car your great-grandfather drove after the war. 'I had a 1939 wokester that I drove all the way to the state fair, where I sold it for a funnel cake. Ohhh, I miss my wokester,'" says Meyers in the clip above, before turning his attention to right-wing commentators who like to complain about free speech censorship.

"Shout out to the free speech warriors going radio silent while the president just fully admits he's punishing artists for their politics,' Meyers says. "You keep doing you, but only when it fits your worldview, you f***ing hypocrites."

For my fellow avid readers — how are you finding your next read? Especially for us e-reader users, we have the freedom of getting basically any book on our device without having to lug around a physical copy. That also means e-reader and Kindle users can add to their collection without worrying about finding bookshelf space. So if you like to read — especially for free — you need to know about Stuff Your Kindle Day.

What was a once-a-year event has spun off into dozens of iterations, and puts free books in your lap while still supporting indie authors. So if you've maxed out your Libby holds and need another way to read for free, here is everything to know about Stuff Your Kindle Day.

What is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

If you're worried that these free e-book events don't support authors, don't fear. Stuff Your Kindle Days started as an author-driven event launched by author Zoe York in 2014. Through the platform Romance Bookworms, authors discounted their books to be on sale for just a few dollars, but most are totally free.

While Stuff Your Kindle Day was first hosted by Zoe York, other groups have spawned off to celebrate other genres beyond romance. You can now find events that specialize in cozy mysteries, thrillers, LGBTQ, and YA books. Even Amazon has its own storefront for Stuff Your Kindle books.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable photo composite; Julia Connors, Roger Stelljes, Lauren Biel Amazon Stuff Your Kindle books Shop Now What books are offered during Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Stuff Your Kindle Day is not necessarily going to be the best time to find the time to find new releases or bestsellers. If that's what you've got your eye on, we recommend borrowing through Libby or hunting for Kindle deals.

What Stuff Your Kindle Day events are particularly good for are genre readers. The event started as an event to celebrate indie romance authors, and you'll find that most of the events still center around different variations or tropes of the genre, like romantasy or "cinnamon roll boyfriends." Other genre writers have joined in, though, so if romance isn't up your alley, then there will be another Stuff Your Kindle event to join in on.

But regardless of genre, the main focus across all of the Stuff Your Kindle events is on indie books and indie authors, letting you discover and support lesser-known names.

Do you need a Kindle or e-reader to participate?

While Kindle is in the name of the event, it's far more expansive than that. Most books are available across platforms, including Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble Nook, so no matter which e-reader you have, there's a way to stuff your device full of cheap or free books. Technically, you don't need to have an e-reader at all, and with the Kindle app, Apple Books, and Google Play platforms, you can read books on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

However, if you are looking to join the e-reader club, it's totally worth it. We've rounded up our favorite e-readers and Kindles so you can find the right device. And if you're ready to join the Kindle ecosystem, we've tested nearly every model, including the basic Kindle, Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, and Scribe. If you're not down to go with Amazon's e-readers, we like the Kobo e-readers, including the Libra Colour or Clara Colour — in fact, we like the Clara more than the Kindle Paperwhite.

Shop e-readers Amazon Kindle $109.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Colorsoft $249.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Clara Colour $139.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Libra Colour $229.99 at Amazon Shop Now When is the next Stuff Your Kindle Day?

With so many events to keep track of, you could miss when the next Stuff Your Kindle day will take place. The best way to monitor the event is to browse through all of the events on the Stuff Your Kindle website. Each event typically has an email list that will send out a blast leading up to the next event. We're also on top of all the latest events as deal hunters here at Mashable, so check back for our coverage during the next Stuff Your Kindle event.

But in between events, Amazon's Stuff Your Kindle storefront is the hub for free and discounted books you can get anytime.

The Hisense 75U75QG is one of the best televisions in its price range due to its brilliant colors, incredible maximum brightness, and numerous dimming zones. As an added perk, the sound system is pretty great, too.

Do you have a would-be baller in your home? Maybe your child is on the basketball team — or maybe you still have hoop dreams of your own?

If so, you're likely to be interested in this high-tech basketball hoop, from the aptly named company Huupe.

Huupe is a startup, but that doesn't mean it's not serious about smart basketball hoops. The company raised $11 million in 2023 from NBA owner- and player-backed venture capital firms. 

Huupe's first product, Huupe Pro, is billed as the "world's first smart basketball hoop." It's a regulation-sized basketball hoop, complete with in-ground pole, and the smart part — a large HD display with cameras embedded into the backboard. The cameras are used to track shots and other statistics, shown on the backboard display.

There were several catches with the Pro version. Firstly, a regulation hoop is way too big if you don't have a backyard, driveway, or gymnasium to match. Secondly, the Huupe Pro caused a bit of controversy this past summer after one was installed in an NYC park. Some users had privacy concerns about the hoop's cameras.

And thirdly, the Huupe Pro was priced at $9,995. That's a lot of scratch compared to the average basketball hoop, which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars.

Then, in summer 2025, Huupe unveiled the Huupe Mini. It's basically the Huupe Pro, shrunken down. It's an over-the-door basketball hoop with all the smart features, and with those price and privacy issues mostly addressed. Here's what we thought of it.

Credit: Mashable Huppe Mini: Cheaper but still pricey

The Huupe Mini is a lot cheaper than its predecessor. But that doesn't make it cheap: the Huupe Mini retails for $799, though it's typically discounted to $599 at the Huupe website and Amazon.

That makes it the highest-priced over-the-door basketball hoop I could find. Most non-smart mini indoor basketball hoops retail for less than $100.

But the Huupe Mini isn't for any passive shot taker. To care about the kind of data the Huupe Mini tracks, you'd have to be a fan ready to throw down $800. As a soccer coach for my elementary school-aged son's soccer team, I know many parents of kids who are serious about sports. Parents are willing to spend a pretty penny to help their kids excel at their game of choice.

Compared to the gear some other sports require, the Huupe Mini may not appear that expensive to a basketball player serious about their game.

Setting up the Huupe Mini

This device seems big for something that's called a "mini." The backboard measures 22 in. by 17 in. At just over 20 lbs, the device is much heavier than I expected, too. The backboard is basically a giant LED display, so the weight shouldn't be too surprising, yet I was taken aback by the heft of it. 

The Huupe Mini also comes with a mini ball, a remote to control the display, and a charger. The charging port is located on the bottom underside of the backboard, and the device can be charged while you play.

After quickly screwing the hoop and door hooks on the backboard, I found it easily slipped over the top of my kids' room door. I was concerned that weight would be an issue here, but the door and the Huupe Mini have been just fine so far.

Once it was set up, I had to create an account using the display. Then we were good to go.

Credit: Mashable Huupe Mini: Shockingly accurate shot tracking

The moment of truth: Can the Huupe Mini perform its main function? Can it accurately track your shots?

Well, I can confirm that the Huupe Mini is really good at what it does. Its cameras allow it to track every kind of shot. It can log swish shots, rimshots, shots that hit the backboard, airballs ... and shots so bad that calling them an "airball" would be generous.

I was actually surprised that the Huupe Mini was able to track the ball even when it didn't make contact with the net, rim, or backboard. The Huupe Mini is just that good at tracking.

The display shows your stats in real-time, tracking your shots and your percentages. It can even track the distance at which you're taking the shot, so it knows when you're dunking or shooting a layup. The Huupe Mini knows when you're scoring a two-pointer or three-pointer.

It's quite impressive to see the device accurately track these things as you're playing.

Credit: Mashable

The Huupe Mini doesn't simply track these stats for your own education. The device comes with mini-games that can be played online, letting you compete with other Huupe Mini owners. One game, Huupe City Royale, teams you up with three other players against other four-player teams in a leaderboard competition, to see which team can score the most combined points.

The Huupe Mini can even act as a mini Smart TV. Apps including YouTube and Netflix are built in, so you can watch movies or listen to music on the display while playing ball. There's also an in-game currency that can in theory be used to purchase additional mini-games, but that doesn't appear to have launched yet.

Everything that comes with the Huupe Mini now will remain included without any additional charge, the company says.

The privacy issue

So Huupe addressed the size and price issues of the Huupe Pro with the Huupe Mini. But what about the cameras?

When that Huupe Pro was installed in a New York City public park, Huupe addressed privacy concerns by assuring users that the cameras were just used to track the ball; the company insisted it was not recording or streaming video via the device.

Those assurances were not likely to quell concern when it came to an in-home device, and it appears the Huupe team realized this. The Huupe Mini does not use cameras at all for tracking: it uses sensors instead.

"With the Huupe Mini, we quickly recognized that privacy needed to be a top priority—especially for a product designed for personal spaces like bedrooms or someone’s office space," Huupe CEO Paul Anton tells Mashable. "That’s why we chose to move away from traditional cameras, and instead invested in advanced radar and lidar technology." 

The move away from a camera-based tracking system, towards a sensor-based one, added a full year in additional research and development and cost millions, according to Anton.

"This cutting-edge system allows the Huupe Mini to precisely track player movement and ball trajectory, accurately measuring distances, makes, and attempts—all while ensuring complete user privacy," Anton said. 

Credit: Mashable Final verdict

We do have a few concerns about the future of the Huupe Mini. For one thing, the introduction of a store with in-game currency means that microtransactions are on the way. Huupe may soon be nudging you to spend more than your initial $799. (We should note this product is now consistently priced at $599, which makes it a more attractive purchase.)

The battery drains pretty quickly, which may not be the biggest problem for a device that doesn't leave your home and can be charged while you play. However, the charging cable snaking up the door while plugged into the display can get in the way.

Also, the speakers on the display are not so great. They are fine for the in-game sound effects, but I wouldn't listen to the pre-installed Spotify app on there. But none of those critiques take away from the Huupe Mini's purpose, which it excels at.

Whether you should buy one Huupe Mini will basically come down to how big of a basketball fan you are. If you're just looking to throw a ball around the house or office every now and then, the Huupe Mini is likely way more than you need.

However, if you're shooting hoops on a daily basis, or your child is taking their basketball career seriously, then there's nothing else on the market like the Huupe Mini. You may even consider $599 to $799 a small price to pay for a burgeoning career as a baller.

Opens in a new window Credit: Huupe Huupe Mini $599 at Amazon
$799 Save $200 Shop Now