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Back in February 2025, former OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy posted a tweet that would start a revolution in coding and software development. Yes, we're talking about “vibe coding,” a term that has since spread across the internet like wildfire. Even OpenAI’s latest GPT-5 model aims to please the vibe coding fanatics.

So, what is this new method of coding?

Vibe coding 101

The practice of vibe coding, per Karpathy, is simply using AI to do your coding for you. For example, you would come up with an idea and then tell the AI to code it. From there, you’d review the code, and any changes or fixes you wanted would be sent back through the AI again and again until everything feels right. 

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The coder doesn’t need to do any actual coding; instead, they use natural language to describe the code, website, or application they want to create. The feeling of letting go of preconceived notions and letting the AI handle everything is described as “fully giving into the vibes” by Karpathy. Any change suggested by the AI is automatically accepted and rolled into the code. No thoughts, just vibes. 

It has been met with champions and detractors. On one side of the fence, people like Karpathy have fully embraced AI’s ability to write code and let the AI do the heavy lifting, content to explore what AI can and can’t do on its outer fringes. Others have derided the practice, saying code created this way is often incomprehensible and unpredictable, and that good engineers understand their own code. 

How can I get into vibe coding?

It’s honestly pretty easy to do. If you have access to an AI chatbot, you can start vibe coding right away. You’ll want to make sure you go into it knowing what needs to be done. For example, many have suggested making sure that you have a strong, clear vision for what you want your code to do before going into it, so that the AI writes better code. Here is a decent tutorial on getting started with vibe coding. 

If you'd like to practice with training wheels, Google recently introduced Opal, a sort of paint-by-numbers vibe coding tool. You can see what others have created and use templates to get started.

What are the best vibe coding tools?

Almost any modern LLM is decently suited for vibe coding. All of them have code knowledge at the heart of the product. Even AI companies use LLMs to code things, as was shown off when Anthropic cut OpenAI’s access to APIs in early August. However, if you’re completely new at this and want ideas on where to look, here are some good tools to try for vibe coding. 

We recommend being careful, making backups, and saving your work. Vibe coding can go seriously wrong, leading to the deletion of your code. 

Claude Code

Claude Code is a wonderful place to start for vibe coding. It’s a variant of Anthropic’s Claude chatbot that is optimized specifically for coding. We've been impressed with the latest models from Anthropic, Claude 4, particularly for coding work.

Claude Code works specifically in integrated development environments (IDEs) like VS Code while also being able to edit multiple files at once. It also has protections built in so that it won’t edit your code without your expressed consent, which helps avoid problems like code deletion that we mentioned earlier.  Of course, if you've never heard of an IDE before, then we recommend starting with a more beginner-friendly vibe coding tool, such as GPT-5 or Google Opal.

Using Claude, more advanced vibe coders can import existing code, which the AI can then read and summarize. Per Anthropic, the AI can make small changes like bug fixes or larger changes like feature implementations, both of which make it good for vibe coding. Other big-name LLMs like Google Gemini work great for this too, but Claude Code is built specifically for this stuff, so it’s a more natural option. 

GPT-5 Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable Composite; Open AI

We’ve already mentioned the other big dogs, but GPT-5 gets a special mention because it’s brand new. OpenAI released the model on Aug. 7, and when it comes to state-of-the-art smarts, this is a good choice. On top of being the latest model on the market, OpenAI has put a lot of thought into the coding side of things, which is what we’ll talk about. 

One of the big highlights of the release is the improvements to agentic coding, which is tech-speak for being able to code things based on natural language prompts. OpenAI demoed this during its livestream with good results. Our tech editor also gave it a shot, and we've found that for folks with zero coding experience, GPT-5 is a great vibe coding tool for beginners. It's a big push forward for fans of vibe coding, and it’s surprisingly easy to use. 

Cursor

Cursor is another good choice for vibe coding for much the same reason as Claude Code. It’s an IDE with an AI chatbot integrated into it, and as such, vibe coding is right at the top of its feature list. It’s one of the AI tools we saw recommended most often, and it’s pretty easy to get into without a lot of prior experience. 

The big draw for Cursor is its coding agent. You can tell it to make changes, and it’ll do so while also telling you what changes it's making. This keeps coders in the loop so they know what to ask for next. It can also do things like automatic bug fixes to reduce the amount of effort you need to spend testing and iterating. Like Claude Code, you can also import libraries to use for documentation, giving you the ability to customize your coding. 

Lovable

Lovable is right up there with Cursor as an option we saw recommended fairly often. It works much the same way as Cursor, where you can talk to the AI bot to get your code written while also asking for changes, bug fixes, and the like. It also has common features like importing code for documentation and other things like that. 

Also like the competition, Lovable has various integrations that you can add to make life easier, including API access to OpenAI and Anthropic, along with GitHub. So, with a little effort, you can integrate the necessary stuff to give you the performance you need. Lovable focuses more on the AI prompt side of things, but Cursor is a more traditional IDE. So you should choose whichever one vibes (pun intended) better with your style. 

v0 by Vercel

v0 by Vercel is the final tool we recommend checking out. It works great for vibe coding and appears to be built specifically for such a thing. You tell it what you want, and it generates a web app that does what you ask. However, like 21st.dev, it seems to be mostly preferred by people looking to make UI elements alongside the software, making a good all-in-one program for vibe coding. 

Like the others on the list, you have a list of integrations that you can add to increase the likelihood of success with your work. It can integrate directly with Grok, for example, and coders can add their API keys for others like OpenAI and Anthropic. While researching this article, I found that many folks recommend using this with something like Claude Code as a one-two punch for vibe coding. 

Honorable mention: Opal by Google Credit: Google

As we mentioned before, Google recently launched Opal, a vibe coding tool that lets you leverage a variety of other Google AI tools, such as Imagen, Gemini, and even Veo, Google's generative AI video maker. While you're limited in the types of applications and websites you can create, this beginner-friendly tool doesn't require any experience with programming languages or software development. In our testing, the interface makes it easy to understand how your app functions. As you work, Opal creates a visual web of connections so you can see how each step fits into the whole.

Honorable mention: 21st.dev

21st.dev isn’t a tool that you would use to vibe code. However, it is something you would use alongside vibe coding. The idea is that it helps you build a UI for your program. You can then vibe code and use the UI elements crafted here to create one cohesive app. The service works primarily on modules that you can then export and use in your existing code. 

These components give you some template-level ideas for a UI that you can then change and construct to your specifications using the built-in AI chatbot. So, for instance, you can use this Apple-style liquid glass button component and then edit it with AI to make it look and do what you want. You can then import that code into your project, making UI work a lot easier. 

Let the AI do it

While testing all of these products, I did quite enjoy the fact that I have virtually no modern coding knowledge, and I could still create some simple stuff pretty quickly. I guess that’s the benefit of vibe coding from someone who hasn’t touched an IDE since 2008.

In any case, vibe coding in its current form is months old, so more tools are being released all the time to take advantage of the latest fad in coding. Keep an eye out for new AI coding tools in the months ahead. 

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.

SAVE 21%: As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings.

Roku Streambar SE 2-in-1 Soundbar With 4K Streaming $79 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one entertainment solution for your bedroom TV or a smaller living room, I’d like to introduce you to the Roku Streambar SE. This little soundbar is feature-packed, and on sale for a limited time on Amazon.

As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was $59 during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days in October), but it's still a pretty good deal if you're looking for something that's affordable and has everything you need in one small package.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

The Roku Streambar SE is a soundbar and a streaming device in one. You’ll get 4K HDR picture quality and an easy-to-use Roku interface that lets you stream from pretty much every service you can think of, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair your headphones for a quiet night of TV watching or stream music from your phone. Plus, the remote controls your TV, sound, and streaming, so you don’t have to juggle multiple remotes.

The two full-range speakers are pretty decent for the price. But if you want a more immersive experience, you can pair it with a Roku Wireless Bass Subwoofer.

SAVE 40%: The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker is on sale at Amazon for $59.99 in select colorways, down from the standard price of $99.99. That's a savings of $40 and the lowest price we've seen in 2025.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

You have tons of options when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers that can come along on your camping trip but not all are created equal. Thankfully, one of Mashable's favorite options is on a steep discount today at Amazon.

As of Aug. 11, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker is just $59.99 in select colorways at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $99.99. That's a 40% discount that shaves $40 off the list price. It's also the best price we've seen in 2025 and it matches the lowest Amazon has ever offered. Keep in mind you'll need to go with the blue or black colorway to score this sale price.

A portable Bluetooth speaker that comes on your outdoor adventures has some requirements. It needs to be waterproof, dust-proof, and durable enough to take a few tumbles. Thankfully, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 hits all of those requirements and then some. One of its most notable extras is the fact that it floats for 30 minutes. That means its more than worthy of taking along to the pool or the beach.

SEE ALSO: Need a new speaker? Get the JBL Clip 5 for under $60 at Amazon.

On Mashable's list of the best Bluetooth speakers, the Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the best option under $100. Thanks to today's deal, we can change that to the best option under $60. "This speaker's small (and rugged enough) to take along for a hike, while traveling, and for tossing next to the pool," notes the review from Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard and Freelance Reviewer Alex Bracetti.

The UE Wonderboom 4 can get up to 14 hours of playtime on a single charge and its Bluetooth range goes up to 130 feet. Both of these features make it great for camping, backyard hands, or heading off for a year in the college dorm.

Since we haven't seen this low price since December 2024, now is a great time to snag the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker for under $60 at Amazon. Just be sure to go with blue or black to save $40.

SAVE $202: As of Aug. 11, the TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV is on sale for $797.99 at Amazon instead of $999.99. That's a savings of 20% and just over 15 bucks shy of its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV $797.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $202 Get Deal

While it's not one of the best times to buy a TV overall, it is a pretty good time to buy one specific TV: the 2025 TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED TV.

As of Aug. 11, the 75-inch version of the TCL QM6K Mini LED TV is down to just $797.99 a Amazon instead of its usual $999.99. That's a savings of over $200 or 20% and just a little over 15 bucks shy of its best-ever price.

The TCL QM6K is a great value and strong competitor for its price — especially now that it's $202 cheaper. In fact, our friends at CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) dubbed it the "best TV under $1,000 in 2025." It checks all the right boxes: impressive picture quality with vibrant colors, smooth streaming interface (via Google TV), and high refresh rate (144Hz) for gaming.

It's not the brightest TV available, but its mini LED backlight allows for deep contrast and a wide and accurate color spectrum. To be honest, unless you're watching in a very bright room with lots of direct reflections, you likely won't even notice a brightness issue. In dark rooms, its 500 dimming zones will really show off, ensuring important dark scenes look fantastic.

While it can't quite stand up to its QM8 sibling, the QM6K is "a stellar mini LED TV for the low-to-mid-tier price range," as our team pointed out in our roundup of the best TVs for 2025. And at 20% off, its value just went up even more.

More leaks have revealed a bright spectrum of colors for the new Pixel 10 lineup.

According to noted leaker Evan Blass on X (via Android Authority) we now have a new batch of renders for the Pixel 10 colorways Google will unveil at the Made By Google event on Aug. 20.

If you're into fresh, juicy colors, take a look at what the Pixel 10 might have to offer: Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Limoncello. There's also reportedly another colorway called Jade, but it's not pictured.

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According to the leak, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL comes in four more muted colors: Obsidian, Moonstone, Porcelain, and Jade.

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Although not pictured in the leaked Pixel 10 Pro renders, you can see the Pixel 10 Pro XL in the Jade colorway.

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As Mashable has previously covered, the Pixel 10 leaks are more like a flood than a trickling faucet. Rumors suggest the Pixel 10 lineup will come with wireless charging, an upgraded Tensor 5 chip, and improved battery life and brightness. The Pixel 10 is also expected to have a new telephoto lens, while the Pixel 10 Pro is rumored to have major upgrades to its wide-angle and telephoto lens. Surprising no one, the Pixel 10 lineup will get the Android 16 software upgrade, complete with AI features like photo-editing with Google's Gemini model. Take a look at our roundup of Pixel 10 rumors for full details and specs.

If these leaks turn out to true, we now have a practically full picture of what to expect at the Google Pixel event in a few weeks. But there's always the chance for last minute surprises unveiled during the event itself, so stay tuned.

Halloween comes early to Netflix with its upcoming animated series Haunted Hotel, which looks like The Shining crossed with a family sitcom.

Created by Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller, the show transports us to the Undervale, a hotel overrun by ghosts instead of guests. Single mother Katherine (voiced by Eliza Coupe) runs the Undervale, with her two kids Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (Natalie Palamides) along for the ride. Katherine has help from her estranged brother Nathan (Will Forte), who also happens to be one of the hotel's spectres. Being a ghost himself, Nathan thinks that his supernatural compatriots at the Undervale have some pretty solid ideas about running the hotel, even if Katherine disagrees.

The first trailer for Haunted Hotel introduces several of the Undervale's frightening residents. Chiefest among them is Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson), a demon from Hell who's trapped in the body of a young Victorian boy. Also on display are soapy demons, a zombie, a glowing anglerfish... and a ghost orgy. With all this ectoplasm floating around, how is Katherine supposed to run a successful business (and keep her children from getting possessed)?

On top of Roller, Haunted Hotel shares quite a lot of its creative team's DNA with Rick and Morty. Dan Harmon and Steve Levy (both of Rick and Morty and Community fame) co-executive produce alongside Roller and Chris McKenna, while Rick and Morty's first-ever female director Erica Hayes serves as supervising director.

Haunted Hotel hits Netflix Sept. 19.

SAVE 39%: As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop combo for $549.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 39% discount and a $350 savings.

Roborock Qrevo S5V $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350 Get Deal

Vacuuming isn’t exactly the easiest task, and depending on how large your house or apartment is (and whether you’re a fur parent), it can also be one of the most time-consuming chores on your list — unless you have a robot vacuum cleaner.

Robot vacuums are one of the most useful gadgets you can buy if you hate vacuuming or have pets. (I have two beagles, so I’ve had a robot vac for a while now; you couldn’t pay me to go back to hand vacuuming.) And right now, Amazon’s got a ton of deals on combo vac-mop robots, including the Roborock Qrevo S5V.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. Here are 6 I'd actually recommend buying in 2025.

As of Aug. 11, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop combo for $549.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 39% discount and a $350 savings. It’s also the lowest price we’ve tracked on this particular model.

The Roborock Qrevo S5V has 12,000Pa HyperForce suction power and comes with an all-in-one Smart Dock to automatically empty dust, wash and dry the mop, refill water, and more. That means you can go for weeks (up to seven, according to Roborock) without having to touch it. It also features an SGS-Certified Zero-Tangle system, so hair doesn’t get wrapped around the main brush.

And, thanks to the PreciSense LiDAR navigation, you can set “no-go zones,” customize cleaning schedules, and more.

SAVE $51.99: The 43-inch Sony Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 TV is on sale at Amazon for $448, down from the list price of $499.99. That's a 10% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony 43-inch Sony Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 TV $448 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

Sony makes some great TVs. If you're in the market for a smaller model, you might have noticed they're pretty hard to come by these days. In a world that seems to think bigger is always better, Sony is still making some smaller models. If that's your jam, there's a 43-inch on sale today at Amazon for a record-low price.

As of Aug. 11, the 43-inch Sony Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 TV is on sale for $448 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $499.99. That works out to a savings of $51.99 thanks to a 10% discount. Today's sale price is the lowest we've ever spotted at Amazon on this model.

A 43-inch TV can be perfect if you're outfitting a smaller bedroom, apartment, or looking for a TV to watch in the garage for big game days. The Sony Bravia 3 is an LED TV that comes equipped with Google TV. This feature means you won't need to purchase a separate streaming stick and instead can use the built-in Google TV with its intuitive menu options.

SEE ALSO: Hurry! The Hisense U6 Series 75-inch TV is over $400 off for a limited time.

This model can also be awesome if you'll be moving into a dorm room this year and already have a move-out date. It weighs about 22 pounds and its non-cumbersome size makes it a whole lot more ideal when moving.

The Sony comes with four HDMI inputs so you'll be able to connect your favorite gaming consoles without issue and it comes with built-in Dolby Atmos speakers.

While it's chilling at an all-time low-price, snag the 43-inch Sony Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 TV while it's under $450 at Amazon. Its back-to-school ready size is perfect for students or if you're looking for a modestly sized TV for your home.

Save $50: As of Aug. 11, Amazon has the Ninja Swirl available for $299.99 instead of its typical $399.99. Though the 14% discount isn't huge, it is rare, bringing this soft serve and ice cream maker down to the lowest price we've ever seen.

Ninja Swirl by Creami $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50 Get Deal

I do hold the personal belief that soft serve is the platonic ideal of any form of ice cream — and cold desserts in general — but I promise I'm not too biased to call out this Ninja Swirl deal.

For one, though cheaper ice cream maker alternatives do exist, they can't help you if you're wanting to make a cone of soft serve. Second, unlike ice cream, soft serve isn't something you can buy a tub of at the grocery store — if a craving strikes, most likely you'll have to brave the heat and summer crowds to grab a cone. It's a price worth paying, but if you'd rather invest in at-home option, Amazon has the Ninja Swirl available for a rare sale price of $299.99, knocking $50 off its original $349.99.

When I say rare, I mean it. This soft serve maker didn't go on sale for any of the four days of Prime Day and Mashable's team has never seen it drop down to this price before — so I'm surprised to see it on sale during peak soft serve season. If you like soft serve but aren't married to having it as your sole dessert (can't relate, but I get it), the Swirl does also make the same options as the Ninja Creami, including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, and milkshakes.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is in love with the Ninja Creami, but am I?

Mashable's Sam Mangino deemed the Swirl a Mashable Choice Award winner in her review, calling it "the better investment as an ice cream maker" over the original Creami. In addition to the ability to make soft serve, she specifically called out that the Swirl requires less re-spins than the Creami, producing an overall creamier result. Other points in the pro column are the Swirl's dishwasher-safe components and ease of use.

Though she does point out that it is loud, like the Creami, and takes up even more counter space, she writes the performance and added versatility of the Swirl makes it the better value machine overall over the $229.99 Creami. At the sale price of $299.99, just $70 more than the Creami, that becomes even more true.

SAVE $350: As of Aug. 11, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is down to $1,349.99 at Amazon instead of $1,699.99. That's a savings of 21% and a new best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $350 Get Deal

On the hunt for a new laptop with excellent performance, a convertible design, a high-quality touchscreen, and long battery life? Your search ends with the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. And it's currently on sale for a new record-low price.

As of Aug. 11, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, which features the Intel Core 7 Ultra 256V processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB of storage, is on sale for $1,349.99 at Amazon. That's 21% off its list price of $1,699.99 and a new best-ever price. It previously reached $1,399.99 post-Prime Day, for comparison sake.

The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 sports a 16-inch 3K touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which translates to vibrant colors, deep shadows, and velvety smooth animations. Our friends at ZDNet (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it simply: "This laptop has one of the nicest displays I've looked at in a while."

You can use it as a touchscreen laptop or flip the screen on its hinge for the full tablet experience. And since it comes with the S Pen stylus, it's quite the seamless transition. Its convertible nature paired with the brilliant screen makes it an excellent choice for creative professionals. Add the 16GB RAM, 1TB of storage, full-day battery life, and powerful Intel Core 7 Ultra 256V processor, which can run 50 open tabs at once with no sweat, and you've got a premium laptop that's a great pick for school, work, and everything in between. Sure, $1,349.99 is far from a cheap laptop, but for the specs and the performance, it's kind of a steal for this model.

SAVE 13%: As of Aug. 11, you can snag the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm) for $649.99 and get a free $100 Amazon gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung | Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm) + $100 Amazon Gift Card $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100 Get Deal

Need a new smartwatch? Right now, you can get your hands on the all-new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and essentially get $100 back to spend on whatever you want at Amazon.

As of Aug. 11, you can snag the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm) for $649.99 and get a free $100 Amazon gift card. This deal applies to every color, but you'll want to act fast — this offer ends on Aug. 24.

SEE ALSO: I've tested a lot of smartwatches, but the Versa 4 is the only Fitbit I'd recommend

The biggest headline feature here is the battery. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has the longest-lasting battery of any Galaxy Watch yet. You’ll also get advanced health and sleep tracking features, plus a personalized running coach. And, of course, it has an AI assistant so you can answer calls, texts, and more, hands-free.

Samsung didn't skimp on durability, either. The watch features a rugged titanium case and 10ATM water resistance, making it tough enough for trails, dust, and even ocean swimming. The dual-frequency GPS provides more accurate location tracking, which is perfect for when you're deep in the mountains or exploring a new city.

So, if you're an athlete, an adventurer, or just someone who wants a smartwatch that can keep up with your busy life, this Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra deal is worth checking out.

SAVE $6.21: The LifeStraw Peak Series water filter straw is on sale for $18.74 at Amazon. That's down from the list price of $24.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Peak Series $18.74 at Amazon
$24.95 Save $6.21 Get Deal

It's been a month since we went on a buying spree during Amazon Prime Day. With all the talk of tariffs and prices rising quicker than ever before, it was a great time to score some awesome deals. Now that we're in back to school season, Amazon is really showing up with the deals and there's an essential that's almost back to a record-low.

As of Aug. 11, the LifeStraw Peak Series water filter straw is just $18.74 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $24.95. That works out to a 25% discount that takes $6.21 off the price. It's also only three cents more than its Prime Day price.

It turns out, water is heavy, and carrying heavy things while you're hiking does not add to the enjoyment. Instead, you can pack the LifeStraw Peak Series straw and sip from the lakes, streams, and rivers you come across on your adventures. The LifeStraw filter has third-party lab certification to back up claims that it filters 99.99 percent of E. coli and parasites you really, really do not want to ingest like Giardia. The LifeStraw Peak Series can also filter out 99.99 percent of microplastics.

SEE ALSO: Forget dead batteries — these Bluetti power stations are game-changers for the outdoors and power outages

Each LifeStraw Peak Series can filter 1,000 gallons of water or 4,000 liters. Its compact size makes it great to pack along on your camping trip, a weekend hiking adventure, or on your next international trip. It's also wise to keep a few at home in case an unexpected disaster hits that interrupts the supply of clean tap water.

Instead of adding major water weight to your backpack, snag the LifeStraw Peak Series while it's under $19 at Amazon. Your back and satiated thirst will thank you.

SAVE OVER $3: As of Aug. 11, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter four pack is on sale for $55.98 at Amazon. This is 7% off the list price and marks their lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (4 Pack) $55.98 at Amazon
$59.95 Save $3.97 Get Deal

If you're planning an outdoor camping trip to close out the summer, a LifeStraw may be worth an investment. If you've been hoping to pick up one of these popular water filter straws, we have good news: you can score a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter four pack on sale at its lowest-ever price right now at Amazon.

This multi-pack of LifeStraws is usually listed for $59.95, but today you can score them for just a few dollars cheaper at $55.98. As mentioned before, this is the lowest price yet for these straws, so if they've been on your radar, there's no better time to pick them up.

SEE ALSO: DJI drones are flying off shelves — here’s where to buy before a potential ban

LifeStraws help to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water you're drinking so you can feel just a little bit safer. The company claims each straw can offer 4,000 liters (or 1,000 gallons) of clean drinking water when used properly and maintained, so they'll last you quite a while. And with this four pack on hand, you'll have a few extras to share with your camping buddies or to keep stocked up for future trips, too.

Don't miss out on the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter four pack down to its lowest-ever price right now at Amazon. And if you're looking for more items to pick up for an outdoor adventure, you can also save on the JBL Clip 5 portable speaker to take your tunes on-the-go with you.

AOL's dial-up internet, a service that has been running this whole time since the '90s, will be shut down next month.

In a statement published Friday (h/t The New York Times), the pioneering online service provider said it will be pulling the plug on dial-up on Sept. 30.

SEE ALSO: 5 deeply '90s nostalgic things about the rebooted Nokia 3210

"AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet. This service will no longer be available in AOL plans," reads the statement.

AOL also stipulated that its AOL Dialer software and Shield browser will also be discontinued, and that for customers, "This change will not affect any other benefits in your AOL plan."

Featured Video For You Mashable Say More: R.L. Stine on 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' and Matt Wolf on 'Pee-wee as Himself'

The news that AOL dial-up has been chugging along this whole time might come as a surprise to some. The service, launched in 1991, will be nostalgic for many who'd recognise that array of sign-on sounds anywhere.

It was an era when pagers were everywhere, tech commercials were a whole new beast, Spice Girls, Boyz II Men, and The Bodyguard soundtrack topped the charts, Terminator 2: Judgment Day hasta la vista-ed the box office, and early internet users charged onto AOL Instant Messenger after school (AOL killed off AIM in 2017 and the online mourning was loud). You might have relished in the novelty of pre-social media chat rooms with complete strangers or friends you'd literally just said goodbye to on the bus — and if you haven't seen the AIM episode of PEN15, do it. Internet speeds might have been snail-paced, but early internet service providers like AOL opened up a world of online connection (and begrudgingly shared computer time rosters) in millions of households.

Once broadband hit the scene in the 2000s, dial-up took a dive, but AOL kept its service available.

Tom Hanks as Joe Fox aka NY152 in "You've Got Mail." Credit: Brian Hamill / Warner Bros / Kobal / Shutterstock

AOL dial-up also pervaded popular culture, most notably Nora Ephron's impeccable 1998 film You've Got Mail, named for the service's signature email voice alert, in which Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks' characters fall in love unseen over email. In a 1998 CNET article, then-AOL spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg told the publisher that You've Got Mail marked "the first time in a movie when the internet is not a 'thing.' It's a normal part of people's lives...We worked with [the movie's creators] to make the AOL experience that you'll see in the movie something that our members will see as realistic as possible."

Might be the perfect day for a rewatch.

SAVE OVER $80: As of Aug. 11, the Google Pixel Watch 3 (with a rose quartz band) is on sale for $269.85 at Amazon. This is 23% off its list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) $269.85 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $80.14 Get Deal

If you've been hoping to invest in a smartwatch or treat yourself to an upgrade, the good news is there are some nice deals floating around at the moment. In particular, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is on sale right now for under $300.

The 41mm Google Pixel Watch 3 is usually listed for $349.99, but right now all of its available colors are discounted. The lowest-priced option is the polished silver aluminum case with a rose quartz band, which is down to $269.85 (saving you $80.14), but all of the other available colors are on sale for just a few cents more at $269.99.

SEE ALSO: Get the Fitbit Charge 6 for $40 off at Amazon

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a smartwatch that's well worth the investment, too. With a sleek design and a screen that's 10% larger than its predecessor and twice as bright, this smartwatch is packed with a variety of features to help get you through the day. These include advanced running features to help you hit your goals, target cardio load, and a morning brief feature that helps you plan for your day based on health and fitness stats from the day before.

On top of that, it boasts a long battery life of up to 24 hours with the always-on display (or up to 36 in Battery Saver mode). This limited-time deal may not last for long, though. Act fast to save on the 41mm Google Pixel Watch 3 at Amazon. And if you're looking for more smartwatch deals, you can also save on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at Amazon right now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Average

• Green: To leave high and dry

• Blue: Found on common products

• Purple: Not light

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: Ordinary

• Green: Abandon

• Blue: Specs on consumer packaging

• Purple: Dark ___

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 #793 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ordinary: NORMAL, PLAIN, STANDARD, VANILLA

• Abandon: DESERT, DUMP, MAROON, STRAND

• Specs on consumer packaging: COUNT, MEASURE, VOLUME, WEIGHT

• Dark ___: AGES, CHOCOLATE, HORSE, MATTER

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: Find the remainder

The words are excess-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to say what's remaining.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Leftovers.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 11

• Residue

• Vestige

• Remnant

• Leftovers

• Dregs

• Trace

• Souvenir

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:

The lower half of a region.

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 S.

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...

SOUTH.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 11, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Outdoor fun

• Green: Competitive spirit

• Blue: Winningest

• Purple: Related to a famous Yankee

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

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

• Yellow: Lawn games

• Green: College football rivalries

• Blue: Teams with the most Super Bowl wins

• Purple: Associated with Lou Gehrig

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #322 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Lawn games - BOCCE, CORNHOLE, CROQUET, HORSESHOES

• College football rivalries - BACKYARD BRAWL, BEDLAM, IRON BOWL, THE GAME

• Teams with the most Super Bowl wins - DALLAS, NEW ENGLAND, PITTSBURGH, SAN FRANCISCO

• Associated with Lou Gehrig - 4, IRON HORSE, NEW YORK, WALLY PIPP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, August 11, 2025:

AcrossBlowout party

• The answer is Bash.

Airline with Sky Club lounges

• The answer is Delta.

Body part that can be held with one hand, but not both

• The answer is Elbow.

Get an "F" on

• The answer is Flunk.

Subdued

• The answer is Tame.

DownRamsey of "The Last of Us"

• The answer is Bella.

Collection of Facebook photos

• The answer is Album.

Building material for the Washington Monument

• The answer is Stone.

"Red-tailed" or "red-shouldered" bird

• The answer is Hawk.

Masterful

• The answer is Deft.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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